Elyza McDonald rides De Silver Lining

 

MAIN EVENTS TERTIARY SERIES

Winner: Elyza McDonald

 

De Silver Lining more than lived up to his name for his owner and rider Elyza McDonald, capping off an excellent season by winning the Main Events Tertiary Series.

The off-the-tracker also picked up the TiES award as best performed thoroughbred for the season.

Rocky, as he’s known at home, has been with 18-year-old Elyza for coming up three years. “He’s your typical thoroughbred,” says Elyza, an apprentice builder from Masterton. “He always wants to go faster, is reliable and will do anything you ask of him.”

They’ve been doing Young Riders and managed to pick up a few placings here and there.

“Coming away with both the TiES and Tertiary Series is a real highlight for me . . . it’s been a good season.”

Turns out the 1.2m height of the Tertiary Series is the sweet spot for Rocky. “He performs best at that height I think,” says Elyza who is trained by Tinks Pottinger. She’s hopeful of doing more premier Young Rider starts next season with her 10-year-old gelding after a sixth placing in their one effort this season.

“He’s just always ready to go and do something, and is no fan of standing around.”

It was bigger picture thinking that saw Main-Events create the Tertiary Series 12 years ago. “I believe that young riders need to prepare for a fall-back career and not just focus on equestrian,” says Anne Vallance. “This was our way of acknowledging those who try to balance both training and horses. Equestrian sport is a passion for us and this series is a way of giving back but remaining within our budget.”

Main-Events is now moving into other activities including school sports. “We have been involved in a trial programme with Sport Northland, collecting entries for school sports like athletics, track and field and cross country, and it has been a great success.”

 

Results – Elyza McDonald (Masterton) 60 1, Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) 40 2, Victoria Boot (Auckland) 34 3, Ella McKay (Waipu) 32 4.

Leading Tertiary Institution – University of Auckland.

 

Diana Dobson