Suzanna Black and Colton AF, winners of the CCN2*. Photo: Vanessa Adcock Photography
BetaVet Donovan Park
Eventing Southland held their first event of the Season at Donovan Park in Sunday 14th November. A lot of work by a small group of volunteers, had gone into preparing the cross country courses, built by Jade McRae and Jim Hazlett. The courses looked good and rode well. Lauren Tippett built the show jumping course and it was a nice open course that was well received by the riders.
The small Saddlery Warehouse 2*class was taken out by Suzanne Black on Colton AF who put in a lovely cross country round to take the lead from Anna Bryant and Sioda.
Kate Hamilton and Il Mafioso continued their good form from last season to take the win in the Eastern Physiotheraphy CCN105, from Frances Clarke and Weiti Zucchini.
The Witches Brew CCN95 was taken out by all the way leader Lauren Toomey on Double Connection, with Jessica Terrill and Eureka Rising second.
Mackenzie Jordan and FF Ludovico comfortably took out the win in the Excel Equine Pony Club 95 class.
The Gail Richardson CCN80 class was the most competitive class of the day with less than 1 point between the first 3. Fleur Van Brecht and Savanna Blue took the win by the slimmest of margins from the consistent Clicquot and Anna Bryant with Levi Henry and Mac close on their tails.
The Comfy Equine Rubber Matting PC 80 class saw Kate Hamilton featuring again in the winners circle with Devito, who has been off the scene for a year.
The Saddle Tree CCN65 class saw a number of mothers returning to riding and it was so good to see some of them finish top 3. Jayne Beer and Token taking the win on the impressive score of 15.8 from Lara Cocker and Supstition and Shelly Vince on the Myagi.
Emma Jennings and Tinky Doo took out the Churchys and HT Oils PC 65 from Xanthe Saunders and Puzzle and Zoe Crosswell.
Eight budding eventors took the start in the Udy;s Grain and Feed First Start class with Sienna Hunter on Strathisla Primadonna taking the win closely followed by Miceala Mackenzie and Mickey.
Eventing Southland also runs an accumulator series over their five events for the season, which is kindly sponsored by NSVets.
This season the committee are also excited to be running a new Teams event sponsored by ABLime. It will be competed for over the 5 events with the best 3 scores to count and great prize money on offer. Entries for this event are open now until 16th January. Go onto Eventing Southland Facebook page for further details.