<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>The most prestigious titles in New Zealand
Eventing will be contested at the NRM National Three-day Event at Aratiatia,
Taupo, this weekend, 18th-20th May, with a capacity entry vying for the four championship
trophies</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It is the culmination of the eventing year,
with all five of the Eventing New Zealand series (Bell Tea Super League, Massey
University Young Rider, Alltech Junior Rider, Pro-Am, and Amateur) concluding
here, with double points on offer for these final classes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br><img src="http://www.main-events.co.nz/pictures/3DE_lge2.jpg" class="selected " align="" style="width: 524px; height: 274px; " title="Christen Hayde on Tandarra Sweet As. " alt="Christen Hayde on Tandarra Sweet As. "><br><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em>Christen Hayde on Tandarra Sweet As. Photo Barbara Thomson. </em></p><br>There are twenty-one riders coming from the
<st1:place w:st="on">South Island</st1:place>, the most ever, which should make
the Inter-Island Teams Competition, with four riders representing each island,
an exciting one. The venue, the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre,
received a $30,000 Lion Foundation grant for development of the cross-country
course, so new challenges await all competitors.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The course, which runs over both the
adjacent Dept of Conservation Reserve and the Landcorp property next door,
reflects the heritage of the area. The designers are John Nicholson, Te
Awamutu, brother of Olympian Andrew Nicholson, for the 3* and 2*, and former
Olympian Andrew Scott, Feilding, for the 1* and Pre-novice.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The 1* and Pre-novice tracks are built alongside
each other so both classes can run concurrently, enabling the organisers to
accept the maximum number (dictated by daylight hours) of qualified entries. This
is thought to be a world first, but it worked last year, so is being repeated.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The cross-country distances are far longer
for a three-day (CCI) event than a one-day (CIC) event, the 3* being 6000m, so
horses are required to be much fitter, hence the requirement for veterinary
inspections prior to the start of the competition and before Sunday’s
showjumping phase.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sponsorship support has enabled the prize
money to be increased this year, particularly the NRM CCI3* (Advanced), with
first prize doubling to $3000. The Bell Tea Super League is worth $5000 to the
winner, so there are worthwhile rewards on offer.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The NZ Horse & Pony Young Event Horse
Championship takes place on Friday, for qualified 4 and 5 year old horses. This
has become an attraction in itself, providing a shop window for breeders, and
an introduction to high profile events for the horses.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Virginia Caro</span></p>
