Madison Crowe’s nail biting win on Waitangi Pinterest in the DVS Home Ventilation CCI4*-L at the National Three-day Event at Taupo last weekend has propelled her to the top of the year long ESNZ Eventing Super League.
The 25 year old former accountant, now working full time for her mentor Clarke Johnstone, has twice been “the bridesmaid” this season, at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Eventing and at the short format National Eventing Championships at Kihikihi, so she was due a big win.
The series leader going into this final event, Samantha Lissington with Ricker Ridge Rui, had the misfortune to fall exiting the water complex on the cross-country, which entailed elimination, so they were unable to add to their points tally.
However they held onto second place, despite the extra points earned at long format events, with Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding closing the gap in third place after being runner-up at the event, but unable to overtake Sam and Ricker Ridge Rui.
It was the closest possible competition, with both Waitangi Pinterest and Just Kidding completing on the same score, which entails a count back to the cross-country where the one closest to the optimum time takes the spoils. It was Maddy’s biggest win to date, and she was ecstatic, saying, “This is perfect, I’m so excited, and so happy!”
Cantabrian Emily Cammock and Shaw Lee finished third at Taupo, but had moved onto the Super League table after winning the South Island short format championship at McLeans Island in April, which saw them fill fifth place in the series.
Donna Edwards-Smith was unable to add further points to her tally with DSE Cluny having withdrawn him after the cross-country phase at Taupo, but was secure in fourth place in the series.
ESNZ EVENTING SUPER LEAGUE
Final result:
Madison Crowe (Matangi), Waitangi Pinterest, 171 pts, 1; Samantha Lissington (Matangi), Ricker Ridge Rui,143 pts; Amanda Pottinger (Havelock Nth), Just Kidding, 140 pts; Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata), DSE Cluny, 81 pts; Emily Cammock (Christchurch), Shaw Lee, 65 pts; Nick Brooks (Cambridge), For Fame, 60 pts.
Virginia Caro