Eventing southland held their first event for the season at Donovan Park on Sunday 29th October. The sun shone brightly on they day, which was a stark contrast to the 2-3 days leading up to the event. The inclement weather along with some major ground conditions to contend with saw the OC and CDs using some imaginative thinking to produce a lovely cross country course. Thanks to Jim Hazlett CD for 2* and 105 and Anna Poole 95, 80 and 65.
The small Saddlery Warehouse CCN 2* class was taken out by Suzanne Black and Castellane AF. Ian Dee and Doctor Thunder was the only combination to go clear xc in the the Eastern Physiotherapy CCN105 for the win from Ellish Greene and Aramis.
Sarah Rowley and Awanui River also produced a clear xc to take out the Witches Brew CCN 95, from Racheal Wallace and Hand Of God. The Classic Autotrim & Upholstery PC 95 class was won by Caitlyn Cook and her consistent little skewbald Riverview Park Zipporah II. This combination was the only ones to finish on their dressage score. Abigail White and Fine Line were second.
Michelle Coombs and Just In Thyme Ii did some lovely work for an all the way win in the Gail Richardson CCN 80 from Hannah McLaren and Rough Gem.
Kate Pulley and Galaxy Spider took out a well deserved win in the Comfy Equine Rubber Matting NZPC 80, very closely followed by Brianna Joyce and My Amigo. With Tara Simpson and Miss third. The water jump was very influential in this class.
The Saddle Tree CCN 65 was won by Gemma Smith and Jandal. The large NZPC 65 class sponsored by Chrchys/Hot Oil produced some very impressive dressage tests for this level with Caitlin Wallis and Moose taking the win from Jessica Downer and My Rustic Rebel and Katelyn Shaw and Trainspotting third.
There is an Accumulator series running on all our events this season with the final at our last event at Ryal Bush in April, as well as our AB Lime teams Competition. Not too late to enter a team yet.
We are also happy to announce the Loveracing have come on board as sponsors this year and are donating a prize to the highest scoring Thoroughbred, for 3*/2*/ 105. 95 & 80 each event final event. With the overall winner being decided at our last event in April.
Highest scoring Thoroughbreds for this event were:
Doctor Thunder (3*/2*/105)
Hand Of God (95)
Salin Kate (80).
Thanks to everyone who helped with this event, it certainly had its challenges and we look forward to seeing you all at our next one on 17th December at Ryal Bush.