The cancellation of the cross-country phase of the Central Districts Horse Trials at the McKelvie family’s Pukemarama Farm, near Foxton, on Sunday, was “pretty devastating” to course designer John Holmes, as it had never happened to him before. Mike Etherington-Smith was at the venue and had walked the course with him, which was very valuable, but as he said, “All that work for nothing.” Report by Virginia Caro.
Every effort had been made to use the higher ground and save the polo fields, so the showjumping was in the truck park, but the 20 ml that fell overnight on Saturday on top of recent rain and a wet summer made the ground too soggy for the ambulance to get around, and every single truck had to be towed out of the truck park on Sunday.
The abandonment means some horses have not qualified for the levels they wish to contest at Taupo, following the cancellation of the Land Rover HOY cross-country as well. The selectors have also been denied the chance to see the squads run prior to naming the Senior and Young Rider Oceania teams for the trip to Melbourne in June.
SERIES STANDINGS GOING INTO FINAL EVENT
ESNZ EVENTING SUPER LEAGUE
As a result of the abandonment of the Central Districts event, the only change to the Super League is Virginia Thompson’s points with Star Nouveau for completing the CIC3* at the Australian Three-day Event at Camden, NSW. It increases their total points but does not change the order of the Super League table.
Looking forward to the NRM CCI3* at Taupo, defending champions Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding appear on target, having led the dressage in the Norwood Farm Machinery CIC3* at Pukemarama and showjumped clear to be the overnight leaders.
Standings: Donna Edwards-Smith, DSE Mr Hokey Pokey, 150 pts; Samantha Felton, Ricker Ridge Escada, 129 pts; Virginia Thompson, Star Nouveau, 108pts; Andrew Daines, Spring Panorama, 96 pts; Brent Jury, SE Hedging, 90 pts; Samantha Felton, Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, 78 pts.
EQUESTRIAN ENTRIES PRO-AM RIDER
Long time leader of the Equestrian Entries Pro-Am series, Madison Crowe on Waitangi Pinterest has been overtaken by Holly Morrell on Pampero, who has a narrow lead of 2.5 points following their win in the International Animal Health Products CNC1* Plus at the Waikato Equestrian Centre event on Sunday.
Louise Mulholland continues to hold third place on Mr McTaggart after their win in the CNC2* at Flaxmere, where Holly was third on Pampero. Corey Wood has moved into reckoning on Pick Up Line after placing second in the Dunstan Feeds CCI2* at the South Island Three-day Event.
Standings: Holly Morrell, Pampero, 200 pts; Madison Crowe, Waitangi Pinterest, 197.5pts; Louise Mulholland, Mr McTaggart, 177 pts; Corey Wood, Pick Up Line, 154.5 pts.
MITAVITE YOUNG RIDER
There have been no changes to the points in the Mitavite Young Rider series since the National One-day Championships at Kihikihi. National Young Rider champion Abigail Long has a run away lead on Enzo, but Taupo is sure to ring some changes in the closely contested placings behind her.
Standings: Abigail Long, Enzo, 170 pts; Charlotte Edwards, Façade, 127 pts; Greer Caddigan, Gymnastik Showdown, 126 pts; Jackson Bovill, Visionnaire, 103 pts; Sarah Young, Equador MW, 102.5pts.
PGG WRIGHTSON JUNIOR RIDER
Likewise there is no change at the head of the PGG Wrightson Junior Rider series, but there is keen competition behind the top two. Mikayla Green and Star’s Ransom have leapt into contention after placing second in the Burgerfuel CCI1* at the South Island Three-day, relegating Lily Patterson on Milika to fourth, with Isaac Twigg on The Juggler hanging in for fifth.
Standings: Kate Herdson, Eon, 148 pts; Lucy Turner, Carbon, 139 pts; Mikayla Green, Star’s Ranson, 134.5 pts; Lily Patterson, Milika, 128 pts; Isaac Twigg, The Juggler, 123 pts.
TRU-TEST AMATEUR RIDER
Alex Anderson and Shannon Galloway continue to hold the top four spots in the Tru-Test Amateur Rider series, albeit shuffling the order a bit, but Sally Gunn on Kiwi Highlight is threatening to break their dominance after placing consistently during April.
Standings: Alex Anderson, Gina VT Bloemenhof, 101 pts; Shannon Galloway, Airthrey Jean Genie, 89 pts; Shannon Galloway, Day Walker, 82 pts; Alex Anderson, Danherz, 75 pts; Sally Gunn, Kiwi Highlight, 73.5 pts.
GRASS ROOTS
Anna Mesmen has extended her Grass Roots lead with Chester FW following their win in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Services CNC105 at the weekend, but there has been no change behind her.
Standings: Anna Mesmen, Chester FW, 148 pts; Jane Callaghan, Weiti West End, 106 pts; Ashley Johnson, Miss Vee NZPH, 76 pts; Jenny Pearce, Top Steel, 62 pts.
Virginia Caro
