Donna Edwards-Smith and DSE Mr Hokey Pokey
Donna Edwards-Smith’s second place on DSE Mr Hokey Pokey in the NRM CCI3* at Taupo has given her an unassailable lead in the ESNZ Eventing Super League, despite the best horses in the country yet to have their final run, when the NZ Oceania team contest the Melbourne Three-day Event on Australian Queen’s Birthday weekend, 16-18 June.
The ever consistent Mr Hokey Pokey rose from sixth place in the twelve strong class after Friday’s dressage with the second fastest cross-country round, incurring 5.2 time penalties, to hold second place going into Sunday’s showjumping phase. One rail down did not alter that, although the leader, defending champions Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding had two rails down and a time penalty to drop to third.
But Cantabrian Emily Cammock on Shaw Lee, third after the dressage and retaining that position after jumping a clear cross-country with 7.2 time penalties, produced one of only two clear showjumping rounds to take the NRM CCI3* National Three-day Event title, leaping into fourth position in the Super League as a result.
The riders behind Edwards-Smith in the League standings are jockeying for position, with Virginia Thompson moving into second place with Star Nouveau after placing fourth in the CIC3* (short format) which was run in conjunction with the CCI3* at the Sydney Three-day Event. The Australian Oceania team members contested this CIC3* in preparation for the Melbourne Three-day Event.
ESNZ EVENTING SUPER LEAGUE
Penultimate standings: Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata), DSE Mr Hokey Pokey, 207 pts; Virginia Thompson (Kaukapakapa), Star Nouveau, 132 pts; Samantha Felton (Matangi), Ricker Ridge Escada, 129 pts; Emily Cammock (Christchurch), Shaw Lee, 114 pts; Andrew Daines (Kumeu), Spring Panorama, 96 pts; Brent Jury (Rangiora), SE Hedging, 90 pts; Felton, Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, 78 pts.
Virginia Caro
