A field of top New Zealand eventers fronted up in the sunshine for the Isuzu D-Max Cross Country and Show Jumping Challenge.
First out, Holley Morrell riding Alani set the standard achieving maximum points in the show jumping phase of the challenge and then going clear on the cross- country and finishing close to the optimum time. No stranger to success, including internationally, Donna Edwards-Smith aboard 3* eventer DSE Mr Hokey Pokey was next in the ring. They were another combination to go double clear and come in close to the optimum time, however not quite as close as Holly, who kept the top spot and took the $3,000 cheque.
No one could match these two combinations around the course, although a few notably came close including Tayla Mason and Silverstar. Worried about accumulating time faults, Tayla flew around the cross-country. Realising just how much inside the time they were, she pulled back to a walk before the finish flags, but even then she came in well under the optimum time, landing her third place. Diane Gilder (Your Attorney), Sophie Wilkinson (Hurlingham Lansong) Elise Edwards-Smith (DSE Mendoza) and Holly Morrell on her second ride (Pampero) all achieved maximum points across the two phases, giving them 4th – 7th respectively.
Rachel Cave was the highest placed not to achieve maximum points in the show-jumping, but coming in close to the optimum time handed her eighth place. Ninth went to the only pony in the competition Aorangi Ragtime with rider Olivia Ahlborn who backed up yesterday’s great performance that saw them win the Honda Pony Derby. Rounding out the top ten was Sophie Scott riding Benrose Roackstar.
Images will be for sale by the end of the weekend.
ShowCircuit images from Equidays are for sale at: www.showcircuit.photoshelter.com
Pip Hume images are available here: piphumephotography.photoshelter.com