Emily Cammock (Canterbury) has maintained her lead in both the CCI*** and the CCI1* at the Puhinui International Three Day Event with two clear jumping rounds but a handful of time penalties. Her third ride of the day on Lewis in the 3* was best forgotten as she took a ducking in the Honda water jump and just had time to change her wet clothes to ride Shaw Lee at the end of the class. But her 12.4 time penalties on Shaw Lee very nearly cost her the lead, but as all other riders also had time penalties. She has managed to stay ahead on 60 penalties with Corey Wood (Canterbury) fastest round of the day on Pick Up Line elevating them to second on 61.6, just ahead of third placed Bundy Philpott (Waikato) close in third on 62.6. None of the top 3 can afford to have a rail down, or the coveted Honda 3* Puhinui Championship title will slip from their grip.
Emily has only a minor chin scrape to show for the moment she took a dive into the water at the Honda roll top. “He jumped big and just couldn’t stand up on landing. It was my mistake – I rode him too strongly into the jump as he’d looked a bit at the first water entry over the chevron. I should have just let it come up” said a still smiling Cammock.
In the iSpy horses CCI2* Clarke Johnstone’s class showed through as he rode a copybook round to overtake his pupils who were in first and second ahead of him. “I didn’t have a moment anywhere on the course” said Clarke of the improving Wolf Whistle II. “If I hadn’t had a run out at Arran Station I would have run three star here as he’s ready for it”. He also cannot afford a rail in Sunday’s show jumping but now he is combining eventing with show jumping at top level, the 2* fences shouldn’t be a problem.”
He is followed by Angela Lloyd on Lyrical in 2nd and Tui Teka and Ellie White who rose from 15th overnight to third. Overnight leaders Madison Crowe and Nick Brooks both had stops around the Honda water jump, and slipped to 8th and 9th respectively.
In the Honda CCI2* Young Rider class placings changed very little although leader Sophie Alexander nearly lost her lead incurring 2.4 time faults. Another second over the time would have cost her the lead. She said that “while World Famous isn’t a natural galloper I think I can get him fitter and get close to the times”.
Just 0.2 penalties behind Sophie are Jackson Bovill on Visionaire and Beth Wilson with Alto & Audax.
In the Veterinary Associates CCI1* while Emily and Impeccable held their lead, the 2 seconds they were over the time has moved them within striking distance of Mi Focus and Aleisha Collett. Third place was held by Greer Caddigan and Mr Mancini but they have been withdrawn tonight allowing Sarah Young and Equador MW to move into third. In the Devi Heating CCI1* Junior rider class the impressive Eon and Kate Herdson have 3 rails in hand from second placed Telestory and Caroline Howell. Absolu and Fenella Carter sit in third.
Sunday looks set for another sunny day with some great jumping to come before the hard fought prizes are handed out.