Eventing Southland held their second event for the season at their beautiful Ryal Bush venue at the weekend. Being only four weeks since their last event at Donovan Park is testament to the hard working, dedicated attitude of the committee and their small band of helpers. The group pays special thanks to the Carmicheal and Frew families for allowing the use of their lovely property and presenting it in such good condition.
Good entries were received and it was particularly pleasing to see so many riders travelling from Christchurch and beyond, with some travelling nine hours to get there. A different timetable was trialled for this event and it seemed to get a favourable report from riders. It was decided to run the event over one and half days with dressage being held on Saturday starting at 3.00pm, and cross country starting at 8.30am on Sunday. This was done to help accommodate those that travelled long distances.
The fog lifted just in time on Sunday morning for the 16 Bomber Bits CNC 105m riders to start their Cross Country. Local Rider Jade McRae and Swayze continued their consistent form and lead from start to finish to end up on their smart dressage score of 31. Emma Simpson and Loodle Bug were 2nd and Lana Medder and Peti Peti Wai 3rd.
The Konica Minolta CNC 95 was won by Lauren Enright and Tygra who added nothing to their dressage score. Georgie Dickson and Tigerherz, were the overnight leaders and paid the price for a rail down in the Jumping finishing up 2nd with landowner Penny Frew and Fergusson 3rd.
The Foveaux Communications Pony Club 95 class was taken out by Danni Grubb and her catch ride Little Ginge. Taddy Kleffman on Winters Blossum, 2nd and Analise Hini on Bayross 3rd.
The AB Lime CNC2* was next to go and by this time the cloud cover had burnt off and it was very hot. Overnight leaders Lydia Trusdale and Allander Rocket made short work of the cross country course to add just 6 time penalties to their score and produced a clear jumping round to come away with a win. This result keeps her at the top of the Equissage Pro Am Series on 86 points. The combination has covered a lot of miles in the last month, competing successfully at Arran Station 27-28 October and then again at McLeans Island 11/12 November. They are almost as well travelled as one of their Dressage Judges, Helen Christie, who has judged them at all of three events.
The six combinations in the Saddlery Warehouse CNC1* found the jumping and cross country phases very testing, with no combination finishing on their dressage score. Nicola Barringer and Bastille took away the win from Lilly Anderson and Victory Hawk 2nd and Anna Robertson and Valkyrie 3rd.
Kendra Bothamley and Aerospatiale won the Gail Richardson Equine CNC80 from Lara Cocker and Superstition and Lynda Gilkison and Little Buckaroo. The Fouveaux Communication 80 class was won by Kyla Gammonsway from Tayla Jo Melvin and Hannah Devery.
The largest class of the day, Eastern Physiotherapy CNC65, was won by Angela Dennis, with Anna Smyth 2nd and Penny Frew 3rd. The Fouveaux Communications Pony Club 65 class was won by Zara Geddes, with Jaclyn Hay 2nd and Katie Wilson 3rd.