Eventing Southland held their final event for 2023 at the Frew / Carmicheal property at Ryal Bush. This event was well supported and it was good to see some Canterbury riders make the trip south. Course designers John Carmicheal and Penny Frew produced some great courses that rode well but had just enough questions to keep riders on their toes. Janelle Gibson did a nice job of designing the Show Jumping course which was well received by all the riders. It provided its own challenges later in the day when the wind got up and some improvisations had to be made.
Head of the Ground Jury Helen Christie along with Agnes Irwin judged Sonia Benison on As Good As You Get first in the dressage of the Fiona Montgomery Photography CCN 3* class. A position she held all day to take the win comfortably in a small class over Suzanne Black and Castellane AF.
The Saddlery Warehouse CCN2* saw Rose Alfed and Celebration ECPH also have an uncontested win to finish on their dressage score . We might convert her to eventing yet. Suzanne Black and Colton AF were second.
Lauren Toomey and Double Connection continued their good form from last season to jump double clear and win the Eastern Physiotheraphy CCN105. Brodie Roberts and Chit Chat KSNZ filled second place.
The new combination of Jessie McGrougther and Anthem put in some lovely work and impressed the dressage judges to finish on her dressage score and win the Classic Autobarn & Upholstery NZPC95 followed by Katie Wilson and Windermere Centorini and Caitlin Cook and Riverview Park Zipporah II third.
The Gail Richardson Equine CCN 80 was won by Shelly Vince on the evergreen Myagi. With Maggie Bowles and Our Serenade second and Renee Pomare on Aroha third.
The large Comfy Equine Rubber Matting NZPC 80 class produced a couple of impressive dressage tests for this grade with Olivia Stewart on Antara leading all the way from Italy Wills on Little Ginge and Electra Roskham on SWE Ferrero Rochher.
Kate Stalker on Pennyweight Efferescent won the Saddle tree CCN 65 from Kerry Smith on Little Miss and Megan Meade on Majic El.
The NZPC 65 class sponsored by Churchy & HT Oil was another large class, that was won by Jessica Downer on My Rustic Rebel from Boh Fairmaid on Ashton Evette and Ruby Peden on Rosewood Fine Print.
Udy’s Grain and Seed NZPC First Start was won by Jemima Hoskin on Destiny from Piper Hoskin on Toppy and Emma Henton on Ashleigh Rose.
A great day was held by all and the committee would like to thank the landowners, course designers, TDs , judges and everyone else who contributed in some way to making this event happen. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we will see you on the 28th at Donovan Park.