A winning grin from Amanda Pottinger after securing the NRM CCI3* and Wills Trophy for 2018
Amanda Pottinger delivered the best Mother’s Day present possible to her Olympian mum Tinks today, when she won the NRM CCI3* Open National Championship crown in Taupo.
Pottinger and Just Kidding led from the start of the three-day event, were the fastest combination across a very challenging cross country, and today added just four faults to finish on 36.4 penalty points. She won the Wills Trophy for her efforts, a cup her mother has also previously won.
Nick Brooks (Cambridge) and For Fame were second today in their first-ever CCI3* start, rounding out an incredible weekend for them with a clear showjumping round and finish with 38.9 penalty points. Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) and Just de Manzana were third on 49.8 and Bundy Philpott (Cambridge) aboard Tresca NZPH fourth on 54.3.
Chris Ross’ cross country yesterday gave the field a huge shake up, and saw five combinations drop out of the competition, and just nine start the final test today.
Pottinger, who last won the title in 2016, had a few lives during the showjumping and admitted she felt a little like Badminton winner Jonelle Price who rattled a few rails en route to her success.
“He (Just Kidding) really tried so hard out there – that rail was 100% my fault,” said Pottinger. “We surely lived much more dangerously than previous rounds.”
The win was possibly more special than her 2016 victory too.
“Our cross country result was better . . . closer to the time, and it was a really tough track out there. Yesterday was make or break for us and what it shows though is that we are ready for the next level.”
November’s Adelaide CCI4* was now definitely on the cards. Pottinger also won the TiES (Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sports) eventing award.
Brooks was also over the moon with his result.
“I just couldn’t have done any more nor be more proud of him,” he said of For Fame, a seven-year-old New Zealand sport horse.
The North Island – Bundy Philpott (Cambridge) aboard Tresca, Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata) aboard DSE Tangalooma, Angela Lloyd (Hunua) on Lyrical and Bryce Newman (Bulls) aboard Bates Game Keeper – took out the hotly-contested Silver Spurs Teams Competition between the North and South islands.
Other awards
Best presented: Beth Wilson (Papakura) Alto et Audax.
Best mare: Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) Just de Manza.
Best performed Pony Club rider: Lucy Turner (Christchurch) Carbon.
For full results, head to www.equestrianentries.co.nz