Waipu teen Sinead Gordon delivered a very special birthday present to mum Teri today when she headed off a competitive 23-strong field to take out the inaugural Oranoa Sport Horses CCN95-L Restricted.
And she was quick to also share the credit for her efforts at the New Zealand Three Day Eventing Championships saying as well as mum, who drove her to all her events, she was grateful for the support from Aunt Hayley Teesdale who helped her warmup and Dargaville-based grandma Holly Teesdale who comes to most of the events with her.
The 15-year-old and I Told You So led from the get-go, added just a single showjumping rail to their dressage score to finish on 32.5 penalty points, edging out Chloe Triggell (Taupo) aboard My Lorenzo who finished on her 33 penalty point dressage score, and Rosa Wilkinson (Whangarei) aboard Kabo Pongo who also added four to their dressage penalties for a final score of 33.8.
“I am very happy with how he went,” said Sinead. “He tried so very hard to keep them up and I am just so proud.”
She’s had the 13-year-old for two years but this is their first full season together.
The showjumping was run in reverse order and as it got to the business end of the class, rails started to tumble, giving the leaderboard below Sinead a bit of a shake-up.
She admitted to a few nerves as the last to go, but said she kept in mind the advice of her jumping coach Helen McGrath who told her to just keep the horse calm.
As well as winning the class, Sinead also won the ESNZ Eventing board chair and deputy chair award for the best-performed first-time competitor, which was sponsored by New Zealand Horse & Pony Magazine.
Results – Sinead Gordon (Waipu) I Told You So 32.5 1, Chloe Triggell (Taupo) My Lorenzo 33 2, Rosa Wilkinson (Whangarei) Kabo Pongo 33.8 3, Rebecca Wilson (Otaki) Soren 33.8 4, Karen Patrick (Masterton) Caio 34.5 5, Belize McQuarrie (Christchurch) Mr JF Hawk 36.6 6.
For full results, head to www.equestrianentries.co.nz