The RD1 National One-day Event Championships at McLeans Island, Christchurch, stage the next event in the Eventing Super League this coming weekend, 2/3 November. Run under FEI (international) rules, serious points will be on offer in the CIC3*, but the small field of four remaining entries means only the winner will earn major points.
Swannanoa veterinarian Sam Taylor and Leo Degas, who won the CIC2* title at Taupo last year, will be hoping to take the 3* title and the points, which would give him a decisive lead in the series, as he already holds third equal place, with none of the other top three combinations making the journey south.
Rangiora farrier and former winner of the title, Brent Jury has teamed up again with his old companion, SE Big, as current rider Sophie Wigley had the misfortune to break her leg last week. The challenge will be for Jury to regain his partnership with the horse, as this giant thoroughbred is super sensitive.
The only North Islander to travel to Christchurch for the top title is Angela Lloyd with her thoroughbred mare Song, who is making the long journey from Auckland, so she will be hoping they are on song for this venture, and able to hold their own with the mainlanders.
Taranaki lawyer Fraser King was forced to withdraw his two horses after a fall at the Arran Station Horse Trials on Sunday, resulting in a broken arm, and his travelling companion Tessa Jacks has also withdrawn her horse.
The field is completed by Susie Stewart, Rangiora, who also had a fall at Nelson at the weekend, sustaining a bruised hip, but is hoping to tough it out at McLeans Island on her big eye-catching skewbald Cowboy.
The AMS-Erreplus Pro-Am series leader, Samantha Felton, from the Waikato, will be contesting the CIC2* title with two horses, Ricker Ridge Escada and Henton After Dark, on whom she won the CIC1* title at Taupo last year. Felton has ridden at McLeans Island before, in the NZ Young Rider team which defeated the Australians last year.
Both the Massey University Young Rider and Alltech Junior Rider series are currently led by South Islanders, Ellie Braddock on Miss Matilda and Davina Waddy on Milburn Maringo. Braddock contests the CIC2* and Waddy the CIC1*, and each will be hoping to extend their lead as well as win the respective titles.
Virginia Caro
