2011 Puhinui Cross-Country Day

The cross-country course at Puhinui provided plenty of drama on Saturday, with the scoreboard scrambled in the elite level 3 star class, and only seven of the twelve starters completing the course.

The dressage leader, Donna Smith riding Sarah Varley’s inexperienced Just Chocolate, had an unfortunate run-out in a tight combination of narrow fences, but finished well, dropping down the order to fifth place, with the first four placings filled by the four riders who had clear jumping rounds.

South Islander Christen Hayde, fresh from victory in the National One-day Event at Richfields a fortnight ago, rode a stunning round on Tandarra Sweet As, inside the time allowed, to take the lead on their fifth placed dressage score of 56.2 penalties. Hayde has been North Island based for over a year now, quietly gaining experience, and said of her TB mare by Drums of Time, “She was awesome today.”

New Zealand World Equestrian Games team rider Jock Paget, recently returned from his first season based in Britain, holds second place with Frances Stead’s Clifton Airtight, having added 10.8 time penalties to his second placed dressage score of 53.4 for a two day total of 64.2.

But the big mover is Brent Jury, from Canterbury, who was also inside the time with his big striding thoroughbred, aptly named SE Big, who is a close third on 66.4 penalties. Jury withdrew the horse before the cross-country at Richfields, feeling he was not ready to run after a late preparation due to a lay-off, and paid the price with an over exuberant dressage performance at Puhinui which left them eleventh overnight.

Annabel Wigley, also from Canterbury, was thrilled with her clear round on the inexperienced NRM Enzo, pulling up from tenth after the dressage to lie fourth, having added 8 time penalties to a dressage score of 62.6 for a two day total of 70.6.

The hard luck story of the day belongs to Simon Gordon, who was third and fourth overnight with his two horses, Fletch..com and Simply Mitch, and had a fall from each of them, which is instant elimination.

Titch Massey’s course was a true 3 star test, and rode beautifully for riders with an experienced and honest horse. At the end of the day, this is what the sport needs if we are to keep on producing internationally successful combinations.

Sunday’s showjumping will be tense, as always, with only the leader having a fence in hand, but all must pass the veterinary inspection first, which can be the most nerve-wracking part of the entire event.

RESULTS:
Community Trust CCI3*: Christen Hayde, Tandarra Sweet As, 56.2, 1; Jock Paget, Clifton Airtight, 64.2, 2; Brent Jury, SE Big, 66.4, 3; Annabel Wigley, NRM Enzo, 70.6, 4.
Eventing Auckland CCI2*: Donna Smith, Balmoral Sensation, 51.3, 1; Juliet Wood, Bold Trader, 54.1, 2; D.Smith, Henton Executive, 56.8, 3; Ricmeister, Katharine Gillaly, 57.8, 4=; Katie Rankin, Time Too Tango Too, 57.8, 4=.
Veterinary Associates CCI1*: Clarke Johnstone, Call Me Al, 49.4, 1; D.Smith, Balmoral Tall Jan, 51.9, 2: Janine Hayde, Destination, 52.3, 3; Campbell Draper, Mr Mancini, 54.8, 4; Amanda Pottinger, Achilles II, 55.6, 5; Sophie Anderson, Dr Who, 57.5, 6.
Horse & Pony CCN Pre- novice: Dannie Lodder, Waitangi Hotmail, 32.6, 1; Corey Wood, Pick Up Line, 34.1, 2; Megan Finlayson, Fair Call, 35.7, 3; Petra Eatson, Brotherhood, 35.9, 4=; Clarke Johnstone, Vincent, 35.9, 4=.