Eventing Action Heads to North Canterbury

Eventing Canterbury
Amberley Horse Trials

Sunday, March 24

Eventing Action Heads to North Canterbury

Equestrians eyeing a share of the titles at the FEI South Island Three Day Event next month will get their last major hit out at Eventing Canterbury’s Amberley One Day Horse Trial this Sunday.

With less than a month to the prestigious event, a strong performance over the hilly cross country track designed by Sally Wigley at John and Gina Savill’s Lindfield property will be a must for those combinations looking to step up. Vital points will also be on offer in the national Massey University Young Rider, Alltech Junior Rider, ESNZ Eventing Amateur, and ESNZ Eventing Pro Amateur series.

Heading the line-up is New Zealand Young Rider Team member Katie Rankin (Oxford) on her quirky gelding Time To Tango Too as the only starters in the Advanced class, returning after a long layoff.

A small field of six will tackle the Open Intermediate dominated by former international Emily Cammock (West Melton), fresh from competing at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, with rising stars Shaw Lee and Lewis. Invercargill rider Jade McRae will also make the long trip north with her pair Il Mafioso and Kabo Hallucination, looking to replicate the form that saw her finish first and third respectively on at Donovan Park (Southland) in early February. Rounding out the field are big local hopes Melissa Chapman (Amberley) on That’s Gizmo and Giles Gormack (Amberley) on Lucero at their first attempt at this level.

The Open Novice has attracted a field of 14 starters, while the Prydes EasiFeed Pre Novice has 29 entries. Large entries at the lower levels will see two Training divisions, sponsored by Saddlery Barn and Charton International respectively, as well as two Pre Training divisions, which are to be sponsored by Warrens Equine and Bayer respectively.

In all more than 130 riders from around the South Island are taking part.

The action will get underway with the dressage phase at 8.30am followed by the show jumping at 10.30am starting with Pre Training. The cross country is scheduled to start at 11.30am with the Advanced and Open Intermediate out first.
RESULTS TO BE OUT ON SUNDAY EVENING.

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