The New Zealand Three-day Event returned to the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre at Taupō on 14th-17th May, following last year’s running of the national titles by Eventing Canterbury at McLeans Island, Christchurch. With ESNZ Eventing no longer organising events, it was up to a very small Taupō group to run the event with a short run-in period, so it was a major undertaking.

However a core group of experienced fanatics did a fantastic job despite the tight financial times affecting all sports, and made it happen with the help of naming rights sponsor Taupō Equestrian Supplies. The event received a big push locally, and thanks to the weather gods smiling, there were more spectators on cross-country day than have been seen for some years, which was gratifying.

John Holmes, from Hastings, was the course designer for the 3* and 4*, and Campbell Draper, Putaruru, for the 1* and 2* classes. They had very few dollars to spend on materials, but did a brilliant job with what they had, earning compliments from West Australian Elaine Greene, chair of the ground jury, for their artistic use of timber. She liked the natural look, rather than artificial painted obstacles which are vogue at the moment.

Non-championship classes were run at the lower levels in short format, with both their dressage and showjumping on Friday, and cross-country on Saturday. This resulted in over 200 entries all up, making the event viable. Long time volunteer Rowan Armer, from Rotorua (yes, we’re all mad!), was the course designer for the 95cm and 80cm classes.

The trot-up kicked things off on Thursday afternoon, with the officials wearing hats in memory of Susan Grayling, who was always so well turned out (like Matthew’s horses!) but sadly lost her life last year. The riders were invited to vote for the best hat, and they selected technical delegate Neil Mackenzie-Hall’s turkey hat, which would have made Susan laugh. All horses were passed, with just one going to the hold box before being accepted on re-presentation.

Friday’s dressage for the title classes was on the grass in front of the Charisma Hall, with Elaine Greene joined by fellow Australian Heather Buckland and Nicoli Fife for the 3* and 4* classes. Barbara Woolhouse and Su Jenkins had a long day the judging the 1* and 2* classes.

Bridie Quigley and Oranoa Greyson led the 4* dressage on 32.4 penalties, followed by  Carys McCrory on Nemesis with 36.3 penalties, both girls members of the NZ team at the recent Oceania Championships in Adelaide, which was run as a CCI4*-S. Donna Edwards-Smith was hot on the heels of the young guns scoring 36.4 penalties with DSE Gotta Dash. There were only seven starters in this top class.

The NRM CCI3* attracted twelve starters, but four of them were Muzi James (nee Pottinger), so it was a logistical challenge. She rode first and last in the first half of the field, before an extended break for the ground jury, then first and last in the second half. It was not a surprise to see her in the lead on the big moving grey, On The Cards, scoring 26.8 penalties, followed by her last ride, NRS Luna Corona, on 30.9 penalties.

South Islander Emily Cammock lay third on Foxy Lady GNZ with 31 penalties, then it was Muzi again on DSE Mr President with 31.2 penalties. Donna Edwards-Smith followed with 33 penalties on Baloubert TMS, then again it was Muzi with 33.6 penalties on May B It’s Maisie, the horse she brought back from England.

So it was hardly surprising that Muzi led the Fiber Fresh CCI2* on CEO Xtreme, scoring 27 penalties, but she was shadowed by Bridie Quigley on Encore with 27.2 penalties and Mia Cadwallader on Sharvalley Wild Thing with 27.6 penalties. This was the biggest of the long format classes with twenty-nine starters.

The Penny Homes CCN1* drew sixteen starters, with Ande Hakaraia taking the early lead on JWS Danzar, scoring 30.5 penalties. Jessica Sutherland held second position with Secret Runner on 32.2 penalties, and Paxton Kirkbride was third on Thornfield Rockafella with 32.6 penalties.

Saturday, cross-country day, saw two tracks in action initially, with the CCN1* track starting in the training area before heading to the amphitheater, then tracking back through the forest to the splash, with a final loop along the road before finishing where they started. It was a good experience for most, with seven clear and inside the time, a further five with time faults only, three with 20 jumping penalties, and one elimination.

The CCI2*track started nearer the truck park and ran alongside the arenas to the Landcorp block, then came back to the water before entering Landcorp again, exiting onto the eastern end of the NEC before returning to finish near their start. There were sixteen clear and inside the time, three with time faults only, four with jumping penalties, three retirements, and three eliminations.

Once these two classes, plus the short format classes at 2* and 105cm, had finished, the scene was set for the CCI3*, or at least the first half of the 3*, with the 4* run before the second half of the 3* to allow Muzi to run all her horses. It is unfortunate that entries at the upper levels are so low that special arrangements have to be made for riders with multiple horses to be able to compete, and continue to educate and qualify their horses to move up the levels.

The constant exodus of so many of our top riders, mostly to the UK, when they reach 4* level, wanting to prove themselves in the big wide world of eventing, is not going to stop. However the ones who return after time overseas invariably raise the bar, and provide inspiration for the grassroots of the sport.

The 3* and 4* courses both went onto the Landcorp block before returning along the arena bank to the steps down to the forest, then to the amphitheatre, where a group of spectators were waiting. They navigated the forest to the splash, then headed to the eastern end of the course before returning to the water and another loop onto Landcorp prior to the finish. The 4* was 6200m with an optimum time of 10 minutes 53 seconds.

There were eight clear rounds in the 3*, two inside the time, with two riders penalized 11 penalties for triggering a frangible pin, and one with 20 jumping penalties. There was one elimination and it was the dressage leader, On The Cards decanting Muzi at the exit to the water jump, and calming making his way back to base. However she held the top three spots at the end of the day.

The atmosphere definitely changed for the 4*, with interest centred on each competitor, running at 5 minute intervals, so only two horses on course at a time. First to go was Rebecca Wardle on the first of her two horses, Dingmac Eccles, and they attacked the course, completing clear with 13.2 time penalties. Savanna Stirling followed on Shillings, but had a fall at the rails/ditch/brush combination at the east end of the course.

Carys followed on Nemesis and was a pleasure to watch, maintaining a lovely rhythm and meeting each fence on stride, completing clear and inside the time and making it look easy. The dressage leaders, Bridie and Oranoa Greyson followed, but had a fall at fence 8, the square wheelbarrow before entering the amphitheatre, so that was unfortunate, but neither were hurt.

Carys McCrory & Nemesis over the Dunstan corner in the Taupo Equestrian Supplies CCI4*-L

Elise Edwards-Smith then enjoyed her ride on DSE Mendoza despite triggering two frangible pins near the end of the course. Her partner Donna Edwards-Smith followed on DSE Gotta Dash, and we had another clear, albeit with 21.2 time penalties. Last to go, Rebecca on her second ride, WS Empyrean , retired after a stop at the rails/ditch/brush combination at the east end of the course. No matter how this combination is re-invented, it continues to be influential.

John Holmes was pleased with the way his courses rode, saying, “We do the best we can with what’s available at Taupō. It’s always improving.” He singled out Carys, saying, “She had him fit and ready for the job, which is always nice to see.”

Sadly many of the spectators drifted off after the 4*, so missed the last half of the 3*. It is hard to keep up the excitement with so many breaks between the action, and one was overheard saying it was not a good spectator sport. Hayley Daigle did an excellent job on the commentary, but this problem needs careful consideration.

The 95cm and 80cm classes ran concurrently on the two tracks after the completion of the 3*. There was a long holdup in the 95cm class when Brea Walker and Tenerife Sea had a nasty fall at the second element of a brush double, but the best help was on hand to look after her. We wish you well in your long recovery Brea, and look forward to seeing you back out again.

Sunday’s trot-up was over in a flash, with the four remaining 4* horses in fine fettle. There was one withdrawal overnight in the 3*, Donna’s Baloubert TMS, who was in fifth place after a clear round with 8.4 time penalties, leaving ten to showjump. All horses were passed in the 2* with twenty-two proceeding to showjump on the grass in front of the Charisma Hall. The fourteen 1* horses remaining all passed to showjump on the Cambridge sand.

Bonnie Farrant with Wild Flower at the second horse inspection in the NRM CCI3*-L

The NZ Warmblood Association Young Event Horse judging was underway, with Jenny Draper judging the dressage on the Treadlite arena, before they showjumped on the Cambridge sand nearby, judged by Karen Niederer. Then it was on to a short cross-country course followed by a gallop, judged by Jen Buchanan, and finally the conformation inspection by Sarita Kennedy. It was a quality field of twenty-two starters with all judges finding it hard to separate them.

The top five were called back for a final judging by the entire panel, showing their paces before jumping four fences on the Cambridge sand, and again Muzi James had a finalist so it became a long drawn out process. The final result was a win for the 5 year old gelding Christopher Robin VWNZ, by Carpaccio BDV Z out of Quiz Me VWNZ, bred and owned by Vicki Wilson, and ridden by Kate Fleming.

Muzi was second with the 4 year old gelding Pacman SR, by Comme FU out of Accolade, bred and owned by Sheena Ross. Christen Lane’s home bred 5 year old mare, Sweet Celeste, by ES Diamant B out of her former eventing mare Tandarra Sweet As, was third, so the best 4 year old and best mare featured on the podium. There was only one thoroughbred in the class, Jessica Thompson’s 5 year old gelding J Cruising, who raced as Julius Caesar, by Mongolian Khan out of Meir, bred by Windsor Park.

Christen Lane & Sweet Celeste in the NZ Warmblood Association YEH. Photo thanks to Take the Moment.

Meantime the Taupo Equestrian Supplies CCI4*-L showjumping was opening proceedings over Kevin Hansen’s testing track. It was disappointing for people watching the Young Event Horse to miss the top class, not realizing it was running first. We need to cater to spectators if we want to grow the following of the sport. Riders will keep coming if we keep the event going!

DSE Mendoza had four rails down, then DSE Gotta Dash had five down, giving Rebecca breathing space with Dingmac Eccles. They coped better, with just one rail down and 0.8 time penalties, to finish on a total of 57.8 penalties. It looked a foregone conclusion for Carys and Nemesis, and although they had two rails down, they were successful in winning the Wills Trophy for a second successive year, finishing with 44.3 penalties, and a 5* qualifying score.

She said afterwards, “I’m very happy to have the qualifier, it’s a good note to go away on.” They leave for the UK at the end of the month, where they will be based with Pippa Funnell, hoping to ride at the inaugural U25 World Eventing Championships at Millstreet, Ireland, 22nd-26th July. Carys produced the Don Eduardo gelding ex Royal Mystery off the track, winning the NZ Young Rider title with him in 2022.

The NRM CCI3*-L followed, with Muzi jumping her three first, last, and halfway in between. First was NRS Luna Corona and they were clear, so she only had herself to beat. This she did, going clear with May B It’s Maisie. South Islanders Cam Robertson on Pogo and Bonnie Farrant on Wild Flower each had a rail down, moving up to fifth and fourth place after fellow Cantabrian Emily Cammock had four down with Kay Buckley’s Foxy Lady GNZ, dropping to sixth.

Then it was Muzi on her third ride, DSE Mr President, and she had her first rail down, dropping to second behind herself on May B It’s Maisie, who won the Picadilly Trophy, with NRS Luna Corona third. It has to be a record which may never be broken, for one rider to fill the entire podium, and credit must be given to her entire team for making it possible

The Fiber Fresh CCI2*-L class produced better statistics, with nine clear rounds, seven of which finished on their dressage scores. Dana Hawkins was one of these in sixth place on the gorgeous grey Waitangi Blueprint Donna E-S on DSE Duke of Seville, Emily Cammock on Lanavos, and Bridie Quigley on Encore, all had a rail down to finish fifth, fourth and third respectively.

Mia Cadwallader was unpenalized on Sharvalley Wild Thing to improve one place to second, then Muzi made no mistakes with CEO Xtreme to take the Mamaku Trophy, and finish an event she will have trouble topping. At this point she dashed off to ride in the call back of the Young Event Horse, while the 1* horses were still waiting to showjump. As it turned out, all four championship classes could have jumped on the grass, but it is easy to be wise in hindsight.

The Penny Homes CCN1* class eventually got their turn, with only three producing clear rounds. Carys was one, pulling up from eighth to fourth with Adjacent, and Kate Fleming was another, improving from fourth to second on Champagne VWNZ. Helen McGrath had two expensive rails down with Ryder WTB, dropping from third to fifth, then Paxton Kirkbride produced the third clear on Thornfield Rockafella.

Paxton Kirkbride & Thornfield Rockafella. Winners of the Penny Homes CCN1*-L class. Photo thanks to Take the Moment.

Sadly for overnight leaders Jessica Sutherland and Secret Runner, two rails down dropped them to third place. So the showjumper turned eventer, Paxton Kirkbride and Thornfield Rockafella, took the Thomson Trophy and also won the award for the best first timer, much to her delight, so she is sure to be back.

Sensational photo of Charlotte van der Zwan & PH Cardensee Esprit – winners of the Tackshop CCN95cm class. Photo thanks to Take the Moment.

The Atlantic Silver Spurs for the Inter-island teams competition was a walkover for the South Island team of Rebecca Wardle on Dingmac Eccles, Emily Cammock on Foxy Lady GNZ, Bonnie Farrant on Wild Flower, and Ciara Rayne on LV Royal Jake, as the North Island team was down to two by Sunday morning. Muzi and On The Cards was the only one of her team not to finish, so Donna ‘s withdrawal of Baloubert TMS before the trot-up left Carys on Nemesis and Mackenzie Marlo on DSE Presley high and dry.

South Island Silver Spurs winning team. Photo thanks to Take the Moment.

The Caseley Trophy for the Best Presented Horse was won by Rebecca Wardle’s Dingmac Eccles, so credit to her for maintaining his fitness through the trip to Adelaide and back. The Charlton Stud award for the best placed mare went to May B It’s Maisie, and the best thoroughbred to Carys McCrory & Nemesis.

It was a long wait for the presentations in the indoor, but it was a festive occasion created by Sally Elwell’s hard work in obtaining extensive sponsorship. It was a shame the PA system meant it was hard to hear who won what, but the Love Racing awards were eye catching, and the Eventing Series were also presented.

The Taupō Equestrian Supplies sponsorship looks safe for next year, but new blood is needed to help run this event. It was a major achievement by a few key people to pull it off this year, so we must not let their work go to waste.

Virginia Caro