Eventing Southland finished their season off in style, starting with the Kakatea Equestrian Young Event Horse. This was a great event showcasing some lovely up and coming Event Horses. Thankyou to the judges, Stuart Bishell, Janene Maxwell and Julianne Baynes-White for giving up their time. Thanks also to Fibre Fresh Equine, Excel Equine and Penny Frew for their sponsorship.
Competition was close in the 4YO section with Jenna Mason and her OTTB Mee-Loss by Fastnet Rock(Aus) coming out on top over Kendra Holt on Grandorio, by CandymanGNZ.
The 5YO section was also close with a couple of nice locally bred horses. The flashy stallion MF Starburst by Starpower TN, bred by Cherie Cournane and ridden by Sonia Benison taking the over Suzanne Black on Glenbrooke Rockin Roses by Euro Sport Diamont B who was bred by Tania Davie.
Ginny Gray on HVP Hudson, by Heatbreak, got the judges vote in the 6YO from Jayne Law on her homebred Aparima Lincoln, by Aparima Black, in the 6YO section.
On to Sunday, with the weather playing its part, eventually, after couple of days of unforecast rain., . This caught TD Wendy Lansdown out, who had to make a trip to Farmlands to purchase leggings. Fancy coming to Southland without wet weather gear. Course designers John Carmicheal and Penny Frew built some lovely courses that rode well and were well received by the riders.
The Fiona Montgomery Photography CCN3* saw Lindsay Colwell and Waitangi Netflix impress the judges Stuart Bishell and Kristen Cottam, to give her a comfortable lead over Suzanne Black and Colton AF and Corey Wood on CWS Monarch. This combination sealed the win with clear jumping rounds in the cross country and show jumping to take the win from Suzanne and Corey.
In the Saddlery Warehouse CCN2* the judges also agreed that Kirst Ogilvy on Raise A Glass stood out from Ian Dee on Doctor Thunder and Suzanne Black on Castellane AF. A show jumping rail was not enough for Kirsty to relinquish her lead from Suzanne and Ian.
Suzanne and Cass proved their versatility in the Show Jumping ring as well by confirmation on Saturday of being named the ‘ Dunstan Horse Feeds NZ Amateur Rider Series’ winners for 2024.
Grace Gormack on Jeepers Creepers impressed the judges in the Eastern Physiotheraphy CCN105, but it was Eilish Green on Aramis that showed them how it was done in the cross country to take a comfortable lead heading into the jumping phase. But an unfortunate slip on a corner in the show jumping, saw the South Island title slip from her grasp and the win went to Grace Gormack with Abigail White on My Fine Line second.
One of the most competitive classes of the day, was the Witches Brew and Classic Autobarn & Upholstery CCN95. Kayley Johnstone on LV No Doubts secured the win from Jessie McGrouther on Anthem and Issie Thorp on Silver George third.
The Equine Sports-Gail Richardson CCN80 class saw our busy show jumping designer, Janelle Gibson, take time out to pilot her young horse, Beaumont Flare, to an all the way win. Michelle Coombs on Just In Thyme was second and our busy president Suzanne Black on her third mount for the day, Glenbrook Rockin Roses was third.
As has been the trend this season, the biggest class of the day was the Comfy Equine Rubber Matting NZPC80 class which was also very competitive, with Sonia Benison on MF Starburst winning closely followed by Brodie Nutting on Arosa High Society second and Lucy Blair-Edie on Harry Potter Bombarda.
The Saddle Tree CCN65 was won by Sarah Wards on Cornerstone, with Megan Meade on Majic El second and Jenny Carter on Nitro Redmoor third.
Churchy and HT Hoof Oil NZPC65 class was another closely fought battle with not much separating the first six, which did not change throughout the competition. Katelyn Shaw and Trainspotting were the clear winners from Italy Wills on Little Ginge and Liv Carter on Brackenleighs Requiem.
Thanks to the small hard working committee, all the Officials, volunteers and photographers. Big thanks to the sponsors who we really appreciate and couldn’t do without.
