Clarke Johnstone riding Domasco. File Photo. ©Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times

It’s been podium time for New Zealand riders in both hemispheres at the weekend, with eventing Olympian Clarke Johnstone leading the way in the CCI3*-S at Burnham Market in the UK.

Clarke won the class aboard Domasco and was third on Menlo Park at Burnham Market International Horse trials, with Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekoing third at Oudkarspel in The Netherlands. Meanwhile back in the Southern Hemisphere, Louise Duncan was thrice third in her bid for the Paris Paralympic Games at the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular in Australia.

Clarke was on fire, with Domasco finished on his 27-penalty point dressage score in the 83-strong CCI3*-S class. But that was just the start of things, Clarke and Menlo Park added just .4 to his dressage score for a final tally of 27.5. He was also 6th aboard Rocket Man on 31.1 and seventh aboard Sparky Man on 31.2.

It was also a good outing for the Kiwis at the North Holland Horse Trials in Oudkarspel in The Netherlands where Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig were second in the CCI4*-S, with Caroline Powell aboard CBI Aldo fourth and Samantha with Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ fifth.

 

Samantha Lissington rides Lord Seekonig. File Photo Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Samantha and Lord Seekoing scored 25.2 in the dressage, adding 11.2 time in the cross country, and were clear in the showjumping to finish on 36.4 penalty points. Caroline and CBI Aldo also added just cross country time for their final tally of 38.8, while Samantha and Sooty finished on 40.1 in the 37-strong class that was won by Hallie Coon (USA) aboard Cute Girl on 31.1.

In Australia, Levin hairdresser Louise Duncan and Showcase BC in the CPEDI3* Grade IV in test A, test B and their freestyle. It was a challenging week for the duo with Louise battling sinusitis and Showcase proving to be the horse of choice for local bugs.
Louise and Showcase scored 67.454% in test A, 65.581% in test B, and 69.592% in their musical freestyle. The combo has recently been scoring 70% in their competitions at home at national level competitions.

Ahead of her in each class were Australian Paralympian hopefuls Zoe Vorenas aboard Wis Forte and Dianne Barnes with Sorena.

Click the following for full results:
• Burnham Market International 
• North Holland Horse Trials 
• Boneo Park 

By Diana Dobson – HP Media liaison