The NRM National Three-day Event at Taupo this coming weekend, May 12-15, will see the culmination of all six of the ESNZ Eventing series, with most interest focusing on the Super League, contested at elite level, despite the top two spots being decided already.
Katharine Van Tuyl and Double J Sunshine have had an unassailable lead since their win in the CIC3* at the Kihikihi Horse Trials last month, and Clarke Johnstone’s superb performance on Balmoral Sensation at the Badminton Horse Trials has seen him seal second place, despite relatively few starts. They won the Super League series last year, but have concentrated on Olympic qualification this year.
Combinations who contest the year long ESNZ Eventing Super League are able to score points at overseas events, so Johnstone’s third place with Balmoral Sensation at the Adelaide CCI4* in November earned valuable points, as well as winning the Land Rover CIC3* at the Farmlands Horse of the Year Show before flying to the UK to campaign for the Rio.
Van Tuyl, from Palmerston North, has had a remarkably consistent year with the promising Double J Sunshine, owned by her mother Robyn, in his first season at top level. Bred by the Jacobs twins in Southern Hawkes Bay, the 8 year old chestnut gelding is a relative youngster, but Van Tuyl’s experience has nurtured his potential, and he looks like her next international horse.
In the absence of Virginia Thompson and Star Nouveau, who won the Honda CCI3* at Puhinui in December and hold third place in the League by a slim margin, there will be keen competition for top placings in the NRM CCI3* at Taupo. Both Andy Daines, Kumeu, on Spring Panorama, and Giles Gormack, Rangiora, on Lucero, who lie fourth and fifth respectively, will be vying to overtake her.
Current standings in the Super League are: Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston Nth), Double J Sunshine, 264 pts; Clarke Johnstone (Matangi/UK), Balmoral Sensation, 210 pts; Virginia Thompson (Kaukapakapa), Star Nouveau, 102 pts; Andy Daines (Kumeu), Spring Panorama, 96 pts; Giles Gormack (Rangiora), Lucero, 84 pts.
The NRM Young Rider series is also wrapped up, with Jackson Bovill and his mare Visionnaire sealing their win when they took the NZ Young Rider title at the Central Districts event on 1st May. Bovill was a working pupil with Clarke Johnstone at Matangi last year, and the Waikato University student is currently based there in his absence.
Virginia Caro
