The New Zealand Young Rider team had mixed fortunes today in the dressage phase of the Melbourne International Horse Trials. Two of the team, Sarah Young and Jessica Woods, have finished in the top ten, while the other two are at the other end of the placings in the CCI** competition. However, the team is handily placed behind the Australian team, just 10.19 penalties difference in the team scores.
The competition is led by Western Australia’s Gabrielle Pither on Max Almighty, one of the Australian Young Rider Team. Another member of their team, Teegan Ashby on Rockingham No Reason is third. Sarah Young leads the kiwi contingent with Regal Romar, lying in fifth position, just 2.04 penalties behind the leader. Sarah was very happy with her dressage test. “Im ecstatic, he really performed well. He loved the atmosphere.”
Jessica Woods on Defies Logic is in tenth position, 7.22 penalties in deficit of the leader. She said she was very nervous before going into the arena. “I then just zoned in, as if it was just me and my horse doing a test in New Zealand. Then when I came out of the arena, I started shaking!”
The team have the day off tomorrow while the dressage phase continues in the other classes. The cross country phase starts on Sunday. The course is beautiful and challenging. New Zealand rider, Madison Crowe described it as “big, bold and demanding. I am really looking forward to riding it, there will be no time to switch off, with lots to think about.”
Bonnie Farrant, another looking forward to the jumping phases, agreed that she will have to be thinking the whole way around but says “its our kind of course.”
Results of CCI**:
Gabrielle Pither on Max Almighty, 46.11
Wilhem Enzinger, Wenlock Aquifer, 46.49
Teegan Ashby, Rockingham No Reason, 47.04
Bill Chrisanis, Jaybee Castille, 47.78
Sarah Young, Regal Romar, 48.15
Jessica Woods, Defies Logic, 53.33,
Madison Crowe, Brogan, 62.04
Bonnie Farrant, Kaipara Dior, 66.86
Full results can be found on www.miht.com.au
