Cambridge barrister Fraser King and his former racehorse Nadal KSNZ have taken the lead in the ESNZ Eventing Super League following the Honda CCI3* class, in which they placed second, at the Puhinui International Three-day Event over the weekend. Nadal, by Volksraad, raced as Pretorious, and had 13 wins in New Zealand and Australia from 44 starts.
King, who rides in uniform, being a member of the Territorial Army, won the National One-day Event title at Christchurch last month, also run under FEI (international) rules, earning bonus points in the process, and this, combined with the double points earned for a three-day event, have given him a clear lead at the halfway stage of the year long series.
The only other combination to have placed twice is Donna Smith, who elected to withdraw Tangolooma before the final showjumping phase, saying, “He has a little niggle and while he would probably have passed the trot-up, I love him too much to risk aggravating it. It’s sad about the series, but I have future plans, so watch this space.”
The winner of the Honda CCI3* class, Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation, contesting their first Super League class for the season, have leaped into third place, earning the maximum points for their outstanding performance. Johnstone posted a personal best dressage score with the stunning grey gelding, and completed without adding either jumping or time penalties from the cross-country or showjumping.
Johnstone bought the horse from Smith in January of this year, and the pair formed a remarkable partnership very quickly, winning all three major events in the autumn to top last year’s Eventing Super League (running from 1st August) including the Eventer of the Year title. If all goes according to plan, they will fly to Germany for their first 4* event at Luhmuhlen in June, hoping to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
British rider Nick Gauntlett, who bought an Australian horse recently and decided to compete down under before flying it home (it is the northern hemisphere off season), placed third in the Honda CCI3* but is not eligible for the Super League. He said afterwards, “It was a true 3* test, and has a real international feel to it. It’s just the most stunning venue in the world!”
Emily Cammock, who travelled from Christchurch with a team of six horses and her baby, placed fourth on the grey Dambala, and revelled in having her former National Three-day winner back in action.
The three big events in the Super league during the autumn are the short format (CIC3*) classes at the Farmlands Horse of the Year Show in March and the Kihikihi International Horse Trials in April, before the series culmination at the NRM National Three-day Event at Taupo in May.
ESNZ EVENTING SUPER LEAGUE
Standings at halfway after four events:
Fraser King, Cambridge, Nadal KSNZ, 141 pts; Donna Smith, Te Kauwhata, Tangolooma, 105 pts; Clarke Johnstone, Matangi, Balmoral Sensation, 96 pts; Samantha Felton, Matangi, Ricker Ridge Escada, 51 pts; Emily Cammock, Christchurch, Dambala, 48 pts; Matthew Grayling, New Plymouth, NRM Lowenberg, 48 pts.
