Top Level Eventing Returns to Mcleans Island This Weekend

ESNZ Eventing Canterbury

One Day Horse Trial

NEC McLeans Island, Christchurch

Sunday, February 28

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 ESNZ Eventing Canterbury One Day Horse Trial of the eagerly-awaited autumn season.

A field of seven is down to start in the CNC2* over the track designed by Stephen Montgomery, headed by FEI South Island One Day Event CIC2* runner-up Kirsty Sharapoff (Christchurch) on Shoot The Breeze.

Also starting are Brent Jury (Cust) on, SE Hedging, who was impressive during the Spring season, Sophie Abbott (Christchurch) on the vastly experienced, Time to Tango Too, and Corey Wood (Wyndham) on Pick Up Line, while Larissa Srhoy (Loburn) on Rockquest, Jessie Fitzjohn (Christchurch) on What’s The Buzz and Anna Poole (Edendale) on Zulu are all on debut at this level.

A strong field of 12 will contest the CNC1*, while 36 starters in CNC105 has forced the class to be split into two divisions. Large entries across both the CNC95 and CNC80 has also seen them split, while the newly added CNC65 class has attracted more than 20 entries.

In all, more than 200 combinations from across the South Island will take part 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 NRM National Three Day Event. Also up for grabs are vital points in the Equestrian Entries Pro Amateur, PEL by Trutest Amateur, Equestrifit StrapX Grassroots, PGG Wrightson Junior and NRM Young Rider national series’.

Eventing Canterbury chairperson Margaret Evans was thrilled with the response. “It’s huge for us to have that many competitors.” The addition of a CNC65cm came on the back of demand from riders attending the Twilight meets who were keen to try a real competition at a level they were comfortable with, she added.

The action will get underway with the dressage phase at 8am, followed by two rings of showjumping under course designer Geoff Bryant kicking off at 10.30am. The cross country is scheduled to start at 10.40am with the CNC2* the first class out on course.

ends

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