Last weekend Eventing Southland hosted the South Island Eventing Champs at Ryal Bush. It was good to see some competitors travel down from Christchurch to attend.
Although the Dunstan Horse Feeds CCN3* was a depleted by late scratchings, this did not detract from the jumping spectacle, with Lindsay Cowell and Waitangi Netflix taking the win.
The consistent Raise A Glass and Kirsty Ogilvie showed them how it was done in the Saddlery Warehouse CCN 2* from Tinesha Benson and Ataahu Bess.
Kirsty Ogilvy on Raise A Glass, winners of the Saddlery Warehouse CCN2* Photo thanks to Elise Ford Photography
Lauren Enright made the trip south worthwhile with a win the Eastern Physiotheraphy CCN105 on Gee Whiz Joey from Caitlyn Cook and Dixie.
The Autotrim and Upholstery CCN95 was taken out by the evergreen Il Mafioso and Kate Hamilton from Kayley Johnson and Firebug.
Keira Inglis and Dream Brave really impressed the dressage judge to set her up for an impressive win in the Witches Brew & Hoof Oil NZPC 95 from Tara Simpson on Miss.
The early morning start for Colleen Marriot and Phonetic Code paid off with a win in the Gail Richardson CCN80 from Michelle Coombs and Just In Thyme.
As has been the norm lately, the Comfy Equine Rubber Matting NZPC80 has attracted the largest competitors. Today it was won by Mya O’Connor and Coldstream Clyde from Olivia McDonald and My Little Grace.
Jenny Carter on Nitro Redmoor won The Saddle Tree CCN65. Churchy’s & HT Hoof Oil NZPC 65 was won by Liv Carter and Brackenleighs Requiem with Grace Cameron on Kennybrook Meggy Mouse second.
Some promising future eventers were on show in the Dunstan Horse feeds First Start class, which was won by Mila Rabbitte and Dustys Secret with Harper Nutting and Hillview Tasha second.
Loveracing also kindly sponsored a rug to the highest placed Thoroughbred in each class. It was good to note that the winners of these rugs were also the winners of their respective classes.
2* Raise A Glass (by Raise The Flag) Ridden by Kirsty Ogilvy
105 Gee Whizz Joey (by Jakkelberry ) Ridden by Lauren Enright
95 Dream Brave (Super Easy) Ridden by Keira Inglis
80 Phonetic Code (Iffraj ) Ridden by Colleen Marrio
Big thanks to all our sponsors, and our hardworking volunteers, who we couldn’t do without. Massive thanks to our land owners and Course Designers, who put in a lot of hard work preparing the grounds and setting up the courses.