Top Level Eventing Returns To Mcleans Island This Weekend

Eventing Canterbury

One Day Horse Trial

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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.

The event boasts a strong line-up across all levels with close to 140 riders taking part from throughout the South Island 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 ESNZ FEI National Three Day Event at the NEC Taupo in May. Also up for grabs are vital points on the national series at Amateur, Junior and Young rider level.

National One Day Eventing Intermediate champion Sam Taylor (Swannanoa) on Leo Degas and young rider Katie Rankin on Time To Tango Too head the line-up as the only starters in the Advanced section.

A small field of nine will front up in the Intermediate, with West Melton’s Emily Cammock starting her impressive duo Shaw Lee and Lewis. Amongst the other starters is leading junior rider Ellie Braddock (Rangiora) on Miss Matilda, who will be looking for vital points to move up into pole position on the leaderboard. Also starting are Reefton’s Eve Hawes on Hurlingham Lansong, Alex Scholes on Split Decision, Nicola Carrick on Bellwood Raja, Susie Stewart on Cowboy and Melissa Chapman on That’s Gizmo.

The Novice will also be hotly-contested with a field of 17 taking part, while 30 are entered in the Prydes Easi Feeds Pre Novice. Strong numbers at the lower levels have seen the fields split into two divisions for Training, sponsored by Fiber Fresh and Saddlery Barn, and Pre Training, sponsored by Merial and Warrens Equine.

The action will get underway with the dressage phase at 8am, followed by the showjumping at 10.30am. The cross country is scheduled to start at 11.30am with the Advanced the first class out on course.

ENDS

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