Action Packed Cross Country Day at Puhinui
Action Packed Cross Country Day at Puhinui
Cross
country at Puhinui International Horse Trials is always
exciting,
and this year bought fresh new dramas with the
two CCI*** overnight
leaders both falling. This has
paved the way for young 20 year old
Ashleigh Mckinstry
from King Country to take the lead.
Ashleigh, riding the
12 year Pioneer Makokomiko, was the fastest on the
cross
country, incurring just .4 of a time fault and jumping every
fence
clear. This puts her 6.4 points in front of next
best placed Just
Chocolate, ridden by Donna Smith. Donna
had led the competition after
dressage on her other
horse, Balmoral Sensation, but had a spectacular
fall in
the main arena over a large cart styled jump. Both horse
and
rider walked away with just bruises but Donna reports
she will be fit to
ride her other horses
tomorrow.
Ashleigh was full of praise for her horse
Pioneer Makokomiko. “It was a
tricky track, but he went
really well. He is clever, tries hard and he
and I have
a great partnership.” She is hoping his strong
showjumping
skills will be there tomorrow when faced with
the 1.25cm showjumping
track.
It wasn’t a good day
for Annabel Wigley, who has travelled up from
North
Canterbury. On her first horse, NRM Enzo, she was
eliminated for missing
fence 23, a simple table. Then
on her second horse, NRM Frog Rock,
Annabel had a soft
fall early in the course, ending her
competition
completely. Both horse and rider are
unhurt.
Simon Gordon, riding Fletch.com is in third place,
having a good round
with 4.4 time penalties.
Ashleigh
Mckinstry comes from deep King Country, being based on
her
parents’ farm 45 minutes from Taumarunui. The
Mckinstry family bred
Pioneer Makokomiko, and Ashleigh
describes him as being “a monster to
start with, he
bucked both me and Mum off!” Since those days, with a
lot
of work, horse and rider have gone on to develop a
very trusting
relationship since they started eventing 6
years ago. They have been
rising through the ranks
steadily, although the horse only completed part
of the
last two seasons after injuries.
Ashleigh aims to one day
get to the Adelaide 4* event, hopefully next
year, all
things going well.
In the CCI 2* the 3 leaders after
dressage all put in excellent
performances to retain
their placings with none adding any penalties to
their
scores from the first day. Shelley Ross and her lovely
horse
Coleraine Coaltown made the course look easy. Hot
on her heels is Sam
Taylor, also putting in an excellent
clear round on Leo Degas. Donna
Smith with Britannica
MVNZ is third.
Clarke Johnstone, temporarily back in New
Zealand from his English base,
gave a lesson in cross
country riding in the CCI1*, retaining his lead
with a
faultless round. Chloe Kennedy on Mustang Molly also
jumped clear
and within the time to keep her second spot.
Sarah Young and High N Dry
are on third.
The last test
will be the showjumping which is on tomorrow (Sunday).
The
CCI showjumping starts at 11am. Entry to the grounds
is free.
Leaderboard after 3* after cross country
are:
1. Pioneer Makokomiko, Ashleigh Mckinstry with
57.4
2. Just Chocolate, Donna Smith,
63.8
3. Fletch.com, Simon Gordon, 65.4
4. Moochi,
Dannie Lodder, 73.8
5. Fontain, Monica Oakley,
75.6
CCI**
1. Shelley Ross, Coleraine Coaltown,
47.2
2. Sam Taylor, Leo Degas, 48.1
3. Donna Smith,
Britannica MVNZ, 54.1
4. Kirstin Kelly, Kakariki,
55.5
CCI*
1. Clarke Johnstone, Vincent,
46.9
2. Chloe Kennedy, Mustang Molly, 48.1
3. Sarah
Young, High N Dry, 51.5
4. Annabel Wigley, NRM Cotswold,
53.1
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