EVENTING News


HOY Rush Munro 3* Eventing Day One Dressage
Friday, 16 March 2012


<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">RUSH MUNRO 3* EVENTING DAY 1 (DRESSAGE)</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>The country’s elite eventing combinations
were challenged by the electric atmosphere in the premier dressage arena at the
HOY Show on Friday, with the Equestrian Extravaganza taking place in the
adjacent arena. Special dispensation was made to allow the horses in the Rush
Munro CIC3* class to wear ear muffs, which is not normally permitted.</strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The last combination into the arena, Donna
Smith, Te Kauwhata, on her third ride, Balmoral Sensation, took a clear lead on
46.9 penalties, despite the horse’s inexperience, but she said afterwards,
“He’s really amazing, he loves the atmosphere. He’s a beautiful horse.” &nbsp;They have had one previous Advanced start, at
Puhinui a fortnight ago, so Donna will nurse him around the cross-country, but
has a cushion of 6 points over the field.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Annabel Wigley, all the way from Amberley,
is second on NRM Frog Rock on 53.3 penalties, with Donna third on Sarah
Varley’s Just Chocolate on 53.9. The scores are close, with less than 20
penalties, the cost of a cross-country jumping error, covering the entire field
of seventeen starters.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">John Nicholson’s cross-country track at the
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hawkes</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Equestrian</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> is sure to alter the
scoreboard, with the national selectors watching this final selection trial
before naming the New Zealand Trans-Tasman team to compete against the
Australians at Kihikihi at Easter weekend.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Results:</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Rush Munro CIC3*: Donna Smith, Balmoral
Sensation, 46.9, 1; Annabel Wigley, NRM Frog Rock, 53.3, 2; Smith, Just
Chocolate, 53.9, 3; Shelley Ross, Alberta Tomba, 55.2, 4; Simon Gordon,
Fletch.com, 55.4, 5; Abby Lawrence, Pseudonym, 56, 6.<br><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Show Circuit CIC2*: Samantha Felton, Ricker
Ridge Pico Boo, 49.4, 1; Virginia Thompson, Ashbury Pee Cee, 49.9, 2; Sophie
Wilkinson, Turbulence, 50.9, 3; Angela Lloyd, Song, 53, 4; Jessica Woods, Too
Predictable, 53.8, 5; Nicole Lansdown, Royalty, and Campbell Draper, Kahurangi
Manu, 54.3, 6=<br><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">PGG Wrightson Novice: Sarah Dalziell,
Benrose Super Star, 29.8, 1; Natasha Edwards, Runner Bean, 30.9, 2; Draper, Mr
Mancini, 31.7, 3; Nick Brooks, Thriller II, 33.3, 4; Kate Wood, Drakkar, 333.9,
5; Chloe Davidson, One Cool Dude, 36.5, 6<br><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Fiber Fresh Young Rider: Sarah Young,
Oakley Visions, 35, 1; Samantha Felton, Ricker Ridge Escada, 37, 2; Georgia
Dufty, Charlton Tabloid, 37.2, 3; Jessica Woods, Art Master, 39.6, 4; Tayla
Mason, Just Joop, 39.8, 5; Stephanie Brasell, Pokuru, 40, 6<br><br></span></p>

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