Donna Edwards-Smith and Mr Hokey Pokey Photo courtesy Barbara Thomson Photography
The diminutive DSE Mr Hokey Pokey delivered for Donna Edwards-Smith at Arran Station over the weekend, consolidating his overnight lead with a clear cross-country round incurring 16.8 time penalties to win the 60th running of the Forest Gate Trophy by a decisive 12.3 penalty margin.
Second after the dressage with a score of 44.7 penalties in the Red Snap’r CIC3* class, they took the lead with one of only three clear showjumping rounds inside the time, and consolidated their position with a polished performance across country. Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding had led after the dressage with a test that delighted her, but two rails down and a time penalty dropped them to second.
They had two uncharacteristic stops at the entry to the water, the horse having had a recurrence of a back problem caused by a new saddle. This opened the door for Young Rider champion Jackson Bovill and his mare Visionnaire, who were third after the dressage, dropping to fourth after showjumping clear but incurring 4 time penalties, and jumping clear across country with 19.6 time penalties to finish second.
Virginia Thompson and Star Nouveau pulled up from sixth after the dressage, showjumping clear with 3 time penalties, and going clear across country with 14.8 time penalties, to finish third. Chris Ross’s beautifully presented cross-country course drew much admiration, with six of the twelve starters going clear, and the only elimination for missing a fence.
The Oaklane Stables Chaff CIC2* for the Waiteko Trophy was won buy by Ashleigh McKinstry on Pioneer Brass Monkey, who led after the dressage, dropped to second after showjumping with a rail down, but regained the lead with a clear cross-country round inside the time. Madison Crowe was second on Waitangi Pinterest, adding just 2 time cross-country time penalties to their dressage score.
Jessica Woods and LV Balou Jeanz won the Equissage CIC1* Championship for the Ferndale Salver after leading from go to whoa, ahead of Greer Caddigan and Gymnastik Showdown who were second throughout. This was a keenly contested class of 29 starters, all but two completing.
The Mitavite CNC105 Championship was won by Jordie Watson riding Meersbrook Viva La Vida, ahead of Tayla Mason and Waimanu Highlights, both of whom finished on their fifth and seventh placed dressage scores respectively. Chris Lever’s cross-country tracks for the 1* and 105 championships were ridden well by the competitors, who were well qualified to meet the challenges posed.
Article by Virginia Caro
RESULTS:
NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS at Arran Station, Takapau.
RED SNAP’R CIC 3* (Forest Gate Trophy): Donna Edwards-Smith, DSE Mr Hokey Pokey, 61.5, 1; Jackson Bovill, Visionnaire, 73.8, 2; Virginia Thompson, Star Nouveau, 75.9, 3; Renee Faulkner, Rubinstar HH, 80.3, 4; Matthew Grayling, Giddyup, 85.5, 5.
OAKLANE STABLES CHAFF CIC 2* (Waiteko Trophy): Ashleigh McKinstry, Pioneer Brass Monkey, 48.2, 1; Madison Crowe, Waitangi Pinterest, 50, 2; Lauren Alexander, Classic Indigo, 60.1, 3: Abby Lawrence, Charlton Yamani, 60.6, 4; Nick Brooks, Striking, 62.4, 5
EQUISSAGE CIC 1* (Ferndale Trophy): Jessica Woods, LV Balou Jeanz, 41.7, 1; Greer Caddigan, Gymnastik Showdown, 46.9, 2: Chanel Campbell, Astek Guardsman, 52.1, 3; Bryce Newman, Bates Our Entourage, 52.3, 4; Christen Lane, Cobra de Capello, 53, 5; Sophie Alexander, Saltador, 53.8, 6; Charlotte Edwards, Façade, 55.1, 7; Angela Lloyd, Lyrical, 55.2, 8.
MITAVITE CNC105 (Blyth Tait Trophy): Jordie Watson, Meersbrook Viva La Vida, 32.4, 1; Tayla Mason, Waimanu Highlights, 33.8, 2; Madison Crowe, Lucius GNZ, 34.2, 3; Ella Simcox, Ru Baloo, 37.7, 4; Sally Gunn, Kiwi Highlight, 39.4, 5.
