A good result at the Kihikihi International Horse Trials this coming weekend, 5-7 April, will be crucial not only for the naming of the NZ Trans-Tasman team to contest the Sydney CCI3* Three-day Event on 26-28 April, but also in the race for Bell Tea Super League points.
With only three events to run before the final at the NRM CCI3* National Three-day Event at Taupo on 17-19 May, Kihikihi is very influential as it is run under FEI (International) rules which earn 50% more points than those run under ESNZ rules. The remaining events are the CIC3* (short format) class at Christchurch on 18-21 April, and the Advanced (ESNZ rules) class at Woodhill Sands on 27/28 April.
The NZ Trans-Tasman team members will not be disadvantaged by being in Australia as they will be entitled to earn points at the Sydney CCI3* in the same ratio as the NRM CCI3* class at Taupo, provided they have had at least one start in a Super League class in New Zealand this current competition year (from 1st Aug.2012). Needless to say all squad members are included in this category.
Following the Bell Tea CIC3* at the Horse of the Year in Hastings on 15/16 March, Young Rider Ashleigh McKinstry, from Taumarunui, took the lead in the Super League after placing second on her part bred Kaimanawa, Pioneer Makokomiko, while further extending her unbeatable lead in the Massy University Young Rider series.
This undoubtedly increased her chances of being named in the Senior Trans-Tasman team, having already ridden in successful Young Rider teams both here and in Australia. Simon Gordon, from Karaka, who won the title of Eventer of the Year at Hastings on Fletch.com, and lies third in the Super League, will also be hoping to seal a place in the team, having previously captained the successful NZ Young Rider team.
The eleven entries in the CIC3* class at Kihikihi include squad members Monica Oakley, from Waipukurau, on Fontain, who hold fifth place in the Super League, and will be hoping for a better showjumping round than at Hastings, where the horse was overcome by “stage fright”, and subsequently withdrawn from the cross-country.
Other squad members entered, who feature in the Super League, are Dannie Lodder, Auckland, on Petra Eatson’s Moochi (seventh) and Donna Smith, Te Kauwhata, on Balmoral Tangolooma (eighth). Smith also rides Britannica MVNZ, so is sure to be the trailblazer over John Nicholson’s challenging cross-country course on one of her mounts.
The dressage takes place on Friday afternoon, cross-country on Saturday, and showjumping on Sunday.
Virginia Caro
