Manukau City Puhinui 3 Day Horse Trials

Manukau City Puhinui 3 Day Horse Trials Attract Record Numbers and Olympic Gold Medallist

9 December 2009

A record number of horses and riders will be competing at the 2009 Manukau City Puhinui 3 Day Horse trials starting on December 11th and finishing December 13th.

A total of 293 riders and 345 horses will vie for honours across a number of eventing classes plus several other equestrian disciplines. As part of broadening the base of competitors wanting to experience riding at the prestigious Puhinui venue, a school competition, a pony club derby and a hunt club challenge have been included.

Other non equestrian activities, including a school challenge and an inaugural orienteering experience will also be staged during the horse trials.
Included among the field is Australian gold medal event rider, Stuart Tinney, an accomplished and lauded equestrian professional.

In the competition arena, Stuart has had more success than any other Australian rider based in his home country. He won an Olympic gold medal from Sydney 2000, achieved representative honours at the 2004 Athens Olympics and since 1988 has competed at consecutive World Equestrian Games.

In recognition of his success, in 2000 Stuart was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and was inducted into the “Sport Australia Hall of Fame” in November 2003. Stuart was also awarded the Anna Savage Medal for the "Best & Fairest" rider in 1997, 2000 & 2007. He was also selected to be an official Olympic Torch Bearer at the 2004 Olympic Games.

He has brought over to Puhinui one of his champion mounts Watermark Grayson—an 11 year old warm blood/thoroughbred x gelding that is 16.2hh.

The combination have had good form during the year with a 1st place at Camden CNC*** in August, a 2nd at Melbourne CCI*** in June and a 3rd in Sydney CNC*** in May.
New Zealand is also well represented with a number of riders with Olympic and international experience also competing at Puhinui.

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