Quality Win from Johnstone at Puhinui

Quality Win from Johnstone at Puhinui

A quality performance from Matangi’s Clarke Johnstone on his horse Balmoral Sensation saw him finish with no additions to his personal best dressage score of 39 and be crowned Honda NZ CCI*** champion.

Finishing second was Cambridge’s Fraser King on Nadal KSNZ. They were a long way - 26.6 points - behind Johnstone. Englishman Nick Gauntlett ended up in third place on his Australian Horse El Grado.

Johnstone has been a previous Puhinui champion in 2008. He has now won every significant eventing title in New Zealand since taking on this horse 11 months ago. Future plans are to take Balmoral Sensation overseas. “We are looking at doing the Luhmuhlen 4* event in Germany next year, after we have competed at a couple more events in New Zealand.”

In the Cato Packaging CCI** it was a great win for the young horse Double J Sunshine ridden by Katharine Van Tuyl from Palmerston North. While Van Tuyl is a very experienced rider, this was her first ever three day event win. “He was perfect, he gave me an amazing ride. I didn’t know which event to do with him, either here or the Young Horse Show. I’m glad I came here.”

Tokoroa’s Sarah Young was the victor in the Honda New Zealand CCI** Young Rider Title on SS Galaxy. “I love Puhinui, I always seem to go well here, it has an amazing atmosphere and a real international feel to it.” Young completed the event with a number of stitches below her eye after an incident with another horse only two hours before she was due to compete on SS Galaxy.

The event attracted excellent crowds, including World No 2 & 11 ranked Eventing riders, Jonelle and Tim Price who enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones as well as leading educational cross country course walks. Tim commented that it was great to see the talent here in New Zealand. “I see myself in a lot of the young riders here, I made the same mistakes they are making but you can see where their skill set lies. There is a lot of natural ability which just has to be harnessed and refined.”

Results:

Honda New Zealand CCI***
Clarke Johnstone, Balmoral Sensation - 39
Fraser King, Nadal KSNZ - 65.6
Nick Gauntlett, El Grado - 73.4
Emily Cammock, Dambala - 74.2

Cato Packaging CCI**
Katharine Van Tuyl, Double J Sunshine - 55.4
Virginia Thompson, Star Nouveau - 60.7
Diane Gilder, Your Attorney - 63.4
Dannie Lodder, Waitangi Icon - 65.3

Honda New Zealand CCI** Young Rider
Sarah Young, SS Galaxy - 64.3
Cam Robertson, Blank Ink - 66.9
Tayla Mason, Lucy with Diamonds - 69.2
Madison Crowe, Brogan - 79.4

Veterinary Associates CCI*
Aleisha Collett, Mi Focus - 53.4
Donna Smith, SE Godswalk - 54.4
Nick Brooks, Versace C - 57.2
Ashleigh Mckinstry, Pioneer Brass Monkey - 58.7

DEVI Heating Systems CCI* Junior Rider
Abigail Long, BMW Advokaat - 61.5
Lucy Turner, Tallyho Mystic - 67.8
Zoe Ander, Waitangi Slingshot - 69.6
Renee Faulkner, Rubinstar HH - 71.1

Horse & Pony CCN105
Karla Hiestand, Westamour - 29.4
Jessica Woods, LV Elf - 30.7
Emily Cammock, Cavorts - 31.7
Stephanie Vervoort, X Factor - 32.9

ENDS

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