A ‘typically challenging’ John Nicholson cross country course has meant big shake-ups at the top of the CIC2* and CIC3* fields at the Kihikihi International Horse Trial in the Waikato today.
Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) and Double J Sunshine have taken the lead in the Waipa Home of Champions CIC3* after a brilliant clear round on a course that saw two combinations retire and three eliminated.
Van Tuyl, who recently gave up full time riding and shrunk her team down to just two horses, has had a busy season bouncing between eventing and showjumping.
She and eight-year-old Double J Sunshine are jumping at grand prix level in showjumping and she’s sure it has given him the edge.
“And he’s been very consistent since he stepped up to 3* too. He’s an absolute dude – I was probably the most nervous I have ever been today and he was just fantastic.”
She last rode at Kihikihi 10 years ago and says today was as big as ever.
“It’s a course that just keeps coming at you.”
The combination are also currently leading the super league eventing series with just one more event after Kihikihi.
Former CIC3* Kihikihi winner Dannie Lodder (Auckland) and Tomahawk II moved up to second today after their efforts and sit just 1.6 penalty points behind the leaders.
“That course gives you no room for error,” she said. “I didn’t take any options but did a couple of bulges into fences to give him some space. I am still building his confidence.”
Overnight 3* leader Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata) and Mr Hokey Pokey slipped back to fifth spot but still produced an impressive round. The young horse is green at CIC3* level and Edwards-Smith, who hurt her leg in a fall off another horse the class before, was rapt with his efforts.
“He gave me a beautiful ride,” she said. “I purposely didn’t pay any attention to the time. He’s got a big future ahead.”
Samantha Felton (Matangi) and Ricker Ridge Pico Boo have taken the lead in the AON Insurance CIC2*, going clear and coming home a whopping 37 seconds under the time allowed.
Felton, who won the CIC2* two years ago aboard Ricker Ridge Escada, knows what it is to come from behind to take a victory. They came from 11th to win, and today she moved from seventh to first.
“I didn’t expect him to move up that much though,” she said.
The horse has only had a handful of outings after a year off with injury, so Felton said she was a little unsure as to how he would go.
“I made a couple of conservative decisions out there and it paid off.”
Second-placed Sarah Young (Tokoroa) and SS Galaxy were also clear and inside time but the horse didn’t feel 100% so she made the tough decision to withdraw him from the showjumping tomorrow.
“He was second in his first attempt here, so I am just gutted to have to withdraw,” she said. “We have had an incredible 18 months and he has been so on form.”
The combination are back to back three day young rider champs, one day champs and was in the winning young rider team at Taupo.
“He is just an amazing horse and I am so lucky to have him. He is phenomenal.”
Tomorrow is the final day at Kihikihi, where riders need to bring their horses back from the big and bold cross country to the more delicate art of showjumping.
Results (after dressage and cross country phases) –
Waipa Home of Champions CIC3*: Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) Double J Sunshine 64.4 penalty points 1, Dannie Lodder (Auckland) Tomahawk II 66 2, Samantha Felton (Matangi) Ricker Ridge Escada 70.2 3, Emily Cammock (Christchurch) Lewis 70.7 4, Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata) Mr Hokey Pokey 76.3 5, Amanda Pottinger (Hawke’s Bay) Just Kidding 76.8 6, Andy Daines (Kumeu) Spring Panorama 85.2 7.
AON Insurance CIC2*: Samantha Felton (Matangi) Ricker Ridge Pico Boo 51.3 1, Sarah Young (Tokoroa) SS Galaxy 53 2, Abigail Long (Levin) Enzo 53.6 3, Danielle Wheeler (Clevedon) One Cool Dude 55.6 4, Nick Brooks (Cambridge) Versace C 55.8 6, Kimberley Rear (Hamilton) Delta Legacy and Megan Finlayson (Kerikeri) Greensleeves 56 =6.
Horselands CIC1*: Alex Anderson (Taupo) Gina VT Bloemenhof 48.7 1, Dannie Lodder (Auckland) Eon 49.3 2, Laruen Currie (Lower Hutt) Rockdon Wildfire 49.6 3, Calla Toyne (Bay of Plenty) Scottish Lad 52.5 4, Loran Mathis (Waikato) Charlton Xplorer 53.5 5, Amanda Wards (Auckland) South Dakota 53.9 6.
Prestige Equestrian CIC1* (6, 7 and 8-year-old horses): Abby Lawrence (Te Puke) Charlton Yamani 44.7 1, Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) LV Balou Jeanz 48.1 2, Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata) Cluny 50.9 3, Samantha Felton (Matangi) Ricker Ridge Mystery 52.8 4, Jeffrey Amon (Murupara) JA Candy Girl 5, Campbell Draper (Putaruru) What A Choice 53.6 6.
Wade Equestrian Coaches CNC1*: Karla Jamieson (Taranaki) Westamour 28.7 1, Richard Otto (Te Awamutu) Windsor 32.4 2, Anne MacAulay (Te Awamutu) Cliebrig Alexandria 33.3 3, Cassie Hodder (Te Awamutu) Schiavo 35.4 4, Holly Morrell (Taupo) Pampero 35.7 5, Mathew Grayling (Taranaki) Trudeau 35.9 6.
BetaVet CNC105: Kylee McCambridge (Cambridge) Chicago 25.2 1, Kady Prujean (Drury) The Duke 28.3 2, Kyle Calder (Auckland) Apteryx 29.8 3, Ashleigh McKinstry (Taumarunui) Pioneer Techtonic Shuffle 31 4, Georgia Bennett (Taupo) Telestory 31.2 5, Leasa Williamson (Whangarei) Sir Nighthawk 33.2 6.
JLT CNC105 Amateur: Su Jenkins (Te Puke) Anonymous 18.2 1, Shannon Galloway (Hamilton) Day Walker 24.8 2, Mary Matthews (Ohura) He’s a Gem 26.2 3, Melanie Molitor (Kumeu) Intersect 28 4, Nicky Mamo (Remuera) War Paint Gypsy King 28.2 and Elsa Wrathall (Cambridge) Vincitore 28.2 =5.
Vosper Law CNC105 5 and 6-year-old horses: Alex Anderson (Taupo) Tigerherz 33 1, Abby Lawrence (Te Puke) Django 34.2 2, Georgia Watson (Rotorua) Astek Gratias 36.8 3, Alex Chambers-Steward (Auckland) Zenvo 37.5 4, Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) Centavino 38.5 5.
PEL CNC105 21 years and under: Jordie Watson (Dairy Flat) Meersbrook Viva La Vida and Antonia Baillie (Auckland) Hullabalou 30.8 =1, Samuel Amon (Murupara) Trojan Warrior 32.8 3, Abigail Long (Levin) My Tom Tom 33 4, Alex Chambers-Steward (Auckland) Manuka Meilekke and Ellise Power (Auckland) Chocolate Liqueur 33.2 =5.
