Abby Long and Belmont Holy Smoke at NZ Horse of the Year 2020
24-year-old Abigail Long has started the season well in New Zealand with a win in the CCI4*-S at the Matamata Horse Trials
Riding her 12-year-old thoroughbred Belmont Holy Smoke (Eric), the pair started in second place after the dressage but when the dressage leaders, Abby Lawrence and Anonymous were eliminated on cross country, Abigail moved into the lead.
“For those of you who know Eric, he hasn't been the easiest horse. Luckily Dad had faith in him and that belief definitely paid off, racking up our first 4* win at the Randlab Matamata Horse Trial” said Abby on social media
Belmont Holy Smoke took home two rugs and two trophies on the weekend as he not only won the 4* class but also the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Ready Teddy trophy, awarded to the best-placed thoroughbred.
The hard working secretary of Puhinui International and 5* eventing rider Diane Gilder and her Australian thoroughbred, Your Attorney, took second place and Donna Edwards-Smith had a busy event as always, taking third on DSE Samalan, fourth on DSE Rodriguez and sixth on DSE Mendoza.
But that’s nothing for Donna – remember when we spoke to her after she had ridden four horses around the CCI4*-L at Puhinui International 2019?
We'll never forget the 'mustering bulls' analogy! 
