The traditional canter through the water complex in the Honda Dream Arena is a big moment for the winners of all classes at Puhinui but it is the winner of the main class, the Honda New Zealand CCI3* who has the biggest celebration. Not only do they get the lap of honour and the podium they also get the champagne, both sprayed on them and to drink at the press conference
The CCI3* was the final class of the day and had just six competitors through to the final phase. It was very tight at the top for the top three with Bundy Philpott riding Tresca NZPH, Corey Wood on Pick Up Line and Emily Cammock on Shaw Lee just 2.6 penalties apart
Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH
Bundy, who had a prior career in show jumping before turning her hand to eventing, piled the pressure on by jumping a clear round and it turned out to be the only clear when Corey had a bad day at the office on Pick Up Line, adding 16 penalties and Emily Cammock rolled one rail on Shaw Lee
This is the biggest win of Bundy’s career so far but she competed overseas a few years ago with her then top horse, Fig Jam who is now in his mid-20’s and is now Tresca’s paddock mate. And while Tresca may now be a CCI3* winner, there is not much likelihood of him being sold due to old injuries ‘even if I wanted to, he wouldn’t pass the vet check!’
Bundy Philpott
Emily Cammock and Shaw Lee
Emily Cammock’s one rail down on Shaw Lee cost her the win after a great performance during the past few days but Emily was quick to take the blame
“He was great and felt absolutely amazing – it was just one of those things. I didn’t get as good a distance as I could have and we rubbed a rail a little too hard so it came down but he was still great”
Obviously it would have been great to win the 3* after leading all weekend but there was a sweetener for Emily, having won the CCI1* earlier on Impeccable (more about that coming soon)
“I think I’ve done the whole round of highs and lows and thrills and spills this weekend!”
Cory Wood and Pick Up Line
For Corey, the three day event format took its toll on his horse Pick Up Line at their first 3 Day “But regardless of today, I’m stoked”
“He was a little bit flat today, probably from pushing for the time yesterday, and I’m not used to riding him when he’s like that so it was a new experience for me too”
Pick Up Line may not be used to the 3 day format but he has other skills that were uncovered today. Like another previous 3 Star winner at this event, Pick Up Line has done some pig-hunting in the South Island in his past!
“I haven’t taken him pig hunting recently as my mother put her foot down and said he’s too valuable to take through the bush. But he’s still the same horse to me so I’d like to take him out as part of his fitness work but I’m not allowed to! But he’s had a few pigs struggle on his back –he’s multi talented!’
