Putting an event together on a normal year is a fairly mammoth task; 2022 is certainly not proving to be normal. All riders were hugely appreciative of the opportunity to compete in their first ESNZ Event in Canterbury this year with good numbers.
The Ultimate Design and Renovation CCN-S 3* saw Lauren Enright take an early lead on Keepsake after the dressage but lost the lead to Molly Moffat whose clear showjumping efforts boosted them to pole position. After a couple of withdrawals prior to cross country, Rebecca’s Wardle’s Dingmac Eccles rose to the occasion and showed their class and bravery with a clean XC jumping effort to take the class win. Rebecca was thrilled with her boy, saying that he felt awesome on the course, just locking on and looking for the flags.
The Bates Saddles CCN-S 2* was a particularly competitive class with 16 quality combinations starting the weekend. Cam Robertson on Wairoa Renegade led from the start with a 69% dressage and never looked like relinquishing that lead, faultless in all jumping phases, leaving Alex De geest and Beth Coleman to battle for the minor placings. Cam was particularly happy with his efforts, attributing his success to staying on board and not jumping any fences backwards.
The Hobson Horsecoaches and Motorhomes Ltd CCN-S 1.05 was a comeback fairy tale for Emma Miller-Brown and Loodle Bug. The talented mare had a leg injury from a fence last year and Emma spent ten long months bandaging and working on the wound. To have her come back sound and so happy to be out there was a fantastic feeling for Emma. Her clean jumping efforts lifted them from 3rd after the dressage to take a decisive win. Lauren Toomey on Double Connection also added nothing to their dressage score and moved up from 13th place, followed by Nele Friedrich on Mystery Man
Sonya Benison and MF Spotlight can be pleased with their solid performance in the Dunstan CCN-S 1.05 U21 class. A 70% dressage and then only adding a pesky 4 faults in the show jumping saw them take a tidy win from Abigail Hyslop and Imogen Morrison – the latter two only split by the optimum time rule. It was fantastic to see so many competitive young combinations coming through at the 1.05 level.
The Rangiora Equestrian Supplies and Betavet CCN95 class was taken out by Eventing Canterbury’s amazing event secretary Claudia Faulkner on Sineuex Shot. The flashy chestnut has been going from strength to strength with Claudia and it was great to see her work rewarded with a consistent performance and all phases and the class win.
Great numbers in The Protranz and Statesman Horse Floats CCN95 U21 classes meant that they were divided into two classes.
Class 7A was taken out by Katie Wilson with her 1st place from start to finish effort, followed by Belize McQuarry and Lily Ellis.
Class 7B saw the win go to Mischa Vaughan on the wonderfully named Tallyho Diamonds and Pearls which prevented Katie Wilson from taking out both classes due to relinquishing her lead with a couple of unfortunate XC time faults.
The Prebbleton Vets CCN80cm class saw established combination Rebecca Hadfield and Gold Trinket win from keen gardener Sandra Mackenzie on YPuna Matariki.
The Melwood Equestrian CCN80 U21 classes was another grade where entry numbers meant that classes had to be split. It is great to see such good numbers coming through at the lower levels.
9A was a start to finish lead performance from Alice McDonald on Redcliffs Kodak Moment and Fern Wilkinson on Cavalry Man taking out the 9B class.
Last but definitely not least were the fiercely contested The Cover Queen CCN65 classes. Katie Fitzsimons and Taittinger winning 10A and Kirsty Pierson on Yalambis Falerio with what was the best score of the event – 24!!
We would like to thank our amazing sponsors and volunteers for all of their hard work and we look forward to seeing you all (including those who had to miss this one) at our April South Island One Day Event Championships on the 23rd and 24th of April. The 22nd of April will also have the Melwood Equestrian South Island Young Event Horse Championships and the Westfield Stud South Island Young Event Pony Championships, so make sure your 4 and 5 year old babies are ready to go!