Triple Header Bubbling at North Island Champs

WORLD CUP AND NORTH ISLANDS PREVIEW

Triple Header Bubbling at North Island Champs

All roads lead to Dannevirke this week for the McMillan’s North Island Championships and the penultimate round of the Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup (NZ) series.

Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Showjumping Group chair Simon Wilson says the showgrounds are looking a picture, with the going great after irrigation and rain over recent weeks.

All of the national series classes double as North Island titles, with other key crowns up for grabs at the three day show, which starts on Friday.

The World Cup is turning into a four combination race, although nothing is impossible in this very challenging and prestigious series.

World Cup queen, and current series leader Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) has both Dunstan Breeze and Dunstan Springfield on the card, while Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) has her quirky grey Carnutelabryere entered. Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke), another well seasoned World Cup competitor and former series winner, has both Conyers and his veteran My Gollywog lining up.

The rest of the field is made up by Lucy Akers (Opiki) on Tinapai, Jesse Linton (Hastings) aboard Strathcarron Zaurak, Lydia Quay (Taranaki) on Kaipara Double Dee, Bernard Denton (Feilding) on Horsesports Suzuki and Melody Matheson (Hastings) on Cheltenham.

Sunday’s course will be built by Kevin Hansen (Taradale).

The final, being hosted by Show Jumping Waitemata at the Woodhill Sands Equestrian Centre in Auckland on January 11, proffers points-and-a half, and with just the best three rounds to count everyone is keen to stay well in the running.

The show has attracted nearly 450 entries from all over the North Island. More information can be found at www.main-events.com ..

Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup (NZ) Series (after three rounds, with best three to count): Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) 57 points, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) 47, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 42, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) 32, Bernard Denton (Feilding) and Sally Steiner (Tauranga) 20, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) 17, Lydia Quay (Taranaki) 15, Vicki Wilson) Hikurangi) and Lucy Akers (Opiki) 13, Jesse Linton (Hastings) 12.

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