INDEPENDENT NEWS

Action Packed Cross Country Day at Puhinui

Published: Sat 8 Dec 2012 04:40 PM
Action Packed Cross Country Day at Puhinui
Cross country at Puhinui International Horse Trials is always exciting,
and this year bought fresh new dramas with the two CCI*** overnight
leaders both falling. This has paved the way for young 20 year old
Ashleigh Mckinstry from King Country to take the lead.
Ashleigh, riding the 12 year Pioneer Makokomiko, was the fastest on the
cross country, incurring just .4 of a time fault and jumping every fence
clear. This puts her 6.4 points in front of next best placed Just
Chocolate, ridden by Donna Smith. Donna had led the competition after
dressage on her other horse, Balmoral Sensation, but had a spectacular
fall in the main arena over a large cart styled jump. Both horse and
rider walked away with just bruises but Donna reports she will be fit to
ride her other horses tomorrow.
Ashleigh was full of praise for her horse Pioneer Makokomiko. “It was a
tricky track, but he went really well. He is clever, tries hard and he
and I have a great partnership.” She is hoping his strong showjumping
skills will be there tomorrow when faced with the 1.25cm showjumping
track.
It wasn’t a good day for Annabel Wigley, who has travelled up from North
Canterbury. On her first horse, NRM Enzo, she was eliminated for missing
fence 23, a simple table. Then on her second horse, NRM Frog Rock,
Annabel had a soft fall early in the course, ending her competition
completely. Both horse and rider are unhurt.
Simon Gordon, riding Fletch.com is in third place, having a good round
with 4.4 time penalties.
Ashleigh Mckinstry comes from deep King Country, being based on her
parents’ farm 45 minutes from Taumarunui. The Mckinstry family bred
Pioneer Makokomiko, and Ashleigh describes him as being “a monster to
start with, he bucked both me and Mum off!” Since those days, with a lot
of work, horse and rider have gone on to develop a very trusting
relationship since they started eventing 6 years ago. They have been
rising through the ranks steadily, although the horse only completed part
of the last two seasons after injuries.
Ashleigh aims to one day get to the Adelaide 4* event, hopefully next
year, all things going well.
In the CCI 2* the 3 leaders after dressage all put in excellent
performances to retain their placings with none adding any penalties to
their scores from the first day. Shelley Ross and her lovely horse
Coleraine Coaltown made the course look easy. Hot on her heels is Sam
Taylor, also putting in an excellent clear round on Leo Degas. Donna
Smith with Britannica MVNZ is third.
Clarke Johnstone, temporarily back in New Zealand from his English base,
gave a lesson in cross country riding in the CCI1*, retaining his lead
with a faultless round. Chloe Kennedy on Mustang Molly also jumped clear
and within the time to keep her second spot. Sarah Young and High N Dry
are on third.
The last test will be the showjumping which is on tomorrow (Sunday). The
CCI showjumping starts at 11am. Entry to the grounds is free.
Leaderboard after 3* after cross country are:
1. Pioneer Makokomiko, Ashleigh Mckinstry with 57.4
2. Just Chocolate, Donna Smith, 63.8
3. Fletch.com, Simon Gordon, 65.4
4. Moochi, Dannie Lodder, 73.8
5. Fontain, Monica Oakley, 75.6
CCI**
1. Shelley Ross, Coleraine Coaltown, 47.2
2. Sam Taylor, Leo Degas, 48.1
3. Donna Smith, Britannica MVNZ, 54.1
4. Kirstin Kelly, Kakariki, 55.5
CCI*
1. Clarke Johnstone, Vincent, 46.9
2. Chloe Kennedy, Mustang Molly, 48.1
3. Sarah Young, High N Dry, 51.5
4. Annabel Wigley, NRM Cotswold, 53.1
- end -

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