Top Level Eventing Returns to Mcleans Island This Weekend

Top Level Eventing Returns to Mcleans Island This Weekend

Top level eventing returns to the NZ National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island this Sunday with the first Eventing Canterbury One Day Horse Trial of the eagerly-awaited autumn season.

A large field of 14 combinations will step out in the CNC2*over a cross country track designed by Stephen Montgomery. The class is headed by experienced campaigners West Melton’s Emily Cammock with both Al For Short and Lewis, Susannah Stewart (Rangiora) on Cowboy and Giles Gormack (Amberley) on Lucero.

Young riders Sophie Abbott (Christchurch) on Time To Tango Too, fresh from a stint with Donna Smith, Ali Scholes (Amberley) on Alfresco, and Claudia Wilson on Shapeshifter II and Citadelle, who recently took out the CNC2* at Aparima (Southland) aboard Shapeshifter II last month, will also be looking to make their presence felt ahead of the inaugural Senior and Young Rider Oceania Teams Championship which will be held at the NRM National Three Day Event 15-17 May in Taupo.

Also lining up are Courtney Davis (Waipara) on Dunrobin Santa Fe and By Hoki, and Southland visitors Jade McRae on Il Mafioso and Kabo Hallucination, and Corey Wood on Pick Up Line, to name a few.

A strong field of 18 will contest the CNC1* with 24 in the CNC105. Large entries across the lower levels has seen both the CNC95 and CNC80 split into two divisions.

In all, more than 150 combinations from across the South Island will take part with riders looking to build up to the ESNZ FEI South Island Three Day Event at the NEC McLeans Island in April, followed by the NRM National Three Day Event. Also up for grabs are vital points in the AMS-Erreplus Pro Amateur, ESNZ Eventing Amateur, Weatherbeeta Grassroots, Alltech Junior and Massey University Young rider national series’.

The action will get underway with the dressage phase at 8am, followed by the showjumping at 11am. The cross country is scheduled to start at 12.30pm with the CNC2* the first class out on course.

ENDS

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