Top Level Eventing Returns To Mcleans Island This Weekend

Eventing Canterbury

One Day Horse Trial

Saturday, March 1, 2013

Top Level Eventing Returns To Mcleans Island This Weekend

Top level eventing returns to the NZ National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, near Christchurch, this Saturday with the first Eventing Canterbury One Day Horse Trial of the eagerly-awaited autumn season.

The event boasts a strong line-up across all levels with more than 130 riders taking part from throughout the South Island 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 ESNZ FEI National Three Day Event at the NEC Taupo in May. Also up for grabs are vital points on the national series at Amateur, Junior and Young rider level.

Disappointingly there are just four combinations set to tackle the CNC2* (Intermediate) headed by veterinarian Sam Taylor who is reunited with his impressive gelding, Leo Degas, after a last start third in the Cato Packaging CCI2* at Puhinui Three Day Event with international Clark Johnstone in the saddle. He will be up against Giles Gormack (Amberley) on Lucero, Ellie Braddock (Rangiora) on Miss Matilda, and young rider Sophie Abbot (Christchurch) making her debut at CNC2* aboard Time To Tango Too.

A field of 15 will front up in the CNC1* (Novice), which includes eight combinations seeking qualification in the inaugural Thoroughbred in Equestrian Sports (TiES) eventing final to be held at the ESNZ FEI National Three Day Event. This is the first of three qualification events and the only one in the South Island, and is open to registered Thoroughbreds.

TiES was launched jointly by Equestrian Sports NZ and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) earlier this year in a bid to increase opportunities for second careers for thoroughbred horses retiring from racing and raise awareness of the adaptability of thoroughbreds for second careers in equestrian sport.

The CNC105 will also be hotly-contested with a field of 20 taking part, while 23 are entered in the CNC95. Both also have additional classes for local area trialists hoping to secure their place in the teams for the NZPCA Horse Trials Championships. Strong numbers in the CNC80 has seen the class split in two.

The action will get underway with the dressage phase at 8am, followed by the showjumping at 10.30am. The cross country is scheduled to start at 11.30am with the CNC2* first class out on course.

ENDS

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