Eventing Action Heats Up

ESNZ Eventing Canterbury

One Day Horse Trial – NEC McLeans Island

Sunday, October 13

EVENTING ACTION HEATS UP

All eyes will be on the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, near Christchurch, this Sunday (October 13) as the South Island’s leading eventers go through their final preparations for the National One Day Eventing Championships next month at ESNZ Eventing Canterbury’s One Day Horse Trial.

Just two combinations will tackle the CNC3* including former National One Day Event advanced champion S.E. Big, now ridden by Amberley’s Sophie Wigley, and South Island Three Day Event CCI3* champions Sam Taylor (Swannanoa) and Leo Degas.

With the national championships less than three weeks away both will be looking for a strong showing, as well as the first vital southern points in the national Super League series.

A field of seven will contest the CNC2* headed by Rangiora’s Ellie Braddock and Miss Matilda, who finished third in the CCI2* Bates Intermediate Championship at the National Three Day Event Championships in Taupo, and were third in the CNC1* at the opening event this season at McLeans Island last month.

Lauren Enright (Outram) on Tokyo Road, Madison Crowe (Ashburton) on Brogan and Alana Alexander (Nelson) on Clifton Maserati will also be looking for an improved performance, while Amanda Brown (Okuku) and Glenmark, Giles Gormack (Amberley) on Lucero and Larissa Srhoy (Loburn) on Smirnoff are all stepping out for the first time at this level.

The event has attracted strong entries throughout with more than 135 riders competing across the CNC3* (Advanced) right down to CNC80 (pre training) level. The CNC1* has attracted 24, while 31 line up in the CNC105. Large entries has seen the CNC95 split into two, while 27 are entered in the CNC80.

Points in all six ESNZ series’ are up for grabs with eligible competitors contesting the AMS-Erreplus Pro-Am, Massey University Young Rider, Alltech Junior Rider, and Weatherbeeta Grassroots, as well as the Amateur series.

Live scoring will be available on www.equestrianentries.co.nz. The action gets underway with the dressage phase at 8am, with the show jumping to start at 11am, followed by the cross country at 12 midday.

ENDS

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