Lucy Turner takes third New Zealand Young Rider title

      Lucy Turner and Astek Victor on their way to the 3* win and third National Young Rider Three Day Eventing title

Lucy Turner has proved she definitely is one of New Zealand’s best young riders when she won her third National Young Rider (Three Day Eventing) title, and in the process also won the Bates Saddles CCI3*, the best performed pony club rider, and was second in the Springston / South Island Three Day Event accumulator. The South Island Three Day Event was certainly a great event for the talented rider from Lincoln. 

Riding Astek Victor, Lucy put in a perfect clear round in today’s show jumping phase.

“He was amazing, he just tried so hard for me and I am just so happy about that,” she said.

Taking about winning her third title, she was all smiles.

 “Gosh, it’s not bad to get another Young Rider title under my belt, the last two I won was on Carbon so to get a title like that on my beautiful young horse is awesome.”

Astek Victor is a horse with a big future too.

“I was lucky enough to get him from Sam Taylor who produced him to 1.05, and I have taken him from there. He had a couple of buttons before I got him. And now yes, he’s got a couple more buttons added I think.” 

Fittingly, Sam was one of the treating vets at the event, his father was the FEI Vet Delegate, his mother the Event Director (and Chair of ESNZ Eventing) and his firm Rangiora Vet Centre, was one of the sponsors!

As to the immediate future, Lucy is thinking she will head to the Puhinui Three Day Event in December in Auckland. 

“It wouldn’t be bad to grab that Accumulator prize.  Also, this has really been my first proper run this season, so it would be good to do another big event.”  The Stirling Collection Inter Island Accumulator has a great cash prizes for the top four riders who compete at both the South Island and the Puhinui Three Day Events.

Lucy, aged 20, has one more chance to win another Young Rider title next year. Olympian Heelan Tompkins holds the record of five Young Rider titles (1996-2000), so Lucy won’t be able to beat that, but she’s hoping she doesn’t stop at three titles.

The National Junior Three Day Eventing Rider title was taken out by Mosgiel’s Ella Morshuis on the beautiful World Famous.  Their performance was first rate in all three phases, the pair finished on their dressage score and Ella was understandably very emotional afterwards.

“I am so stoked, he tried so hard for me, he is such a good boy” she said between tears and hugs from family, friends and other competitors “He has been so good all weekend. I’ve had him a year now, and this is definitely my biggest win. He is so, so special!  He absolutely loves sugar cubes, he is looking for some now.”

As well as winning the Junior title, Ella also won the Moore’s Riding Wear best presented prize, as well as the Ultimate Design and Renovation CCI2* - L Championship, collecting the Amigo Trophy to go with the Lenamore Trophy for the Junior Rider. Lenamore was a Burghley winner ridden by Caroline Powell, originally from Canterbury and it was great to see Caroline’s niece, Louise Turner, on hand to present the trophy.

 Louise Turner presents the Lenamore Trophy to National Junior Rider Three Day Eventing winner, Ella Morshuis and Word Famous

Ella is another planning to travel north soon. “We are hoping to go up to Puhinui and spend some time with Lizzie Green and Tracey Smith, my coaches based in the Waikato, on the way. Lauren Enright also helps me at home. It’s a great team, I am so lucky.”

Lauren, another from Mosgiel who was in the winners’ circle this weekend too, is also thinking a trip north may be on the cards after she won the Hobson Horse Coaches and Motor Homes CCN1* - L Championship on Tygra.  Lauren won on Tygra here last year but haven’t done much since. “We didn’t get to do much with him in the autumn, he had an abscess and then a hole in his foot, she said. “We took him 2* at Eyreton and he went really well.  Then we couldn’t get to the next event so he didn’t qualify for the 2*. We are definitely aiming for Taupo in May and probably just give him a bit of experience in 2* before then. Going up to Puhinui has crossed our mind. Winning here today would help pay for it so it is in the back of our minds.”

Other results included Bella Taane winning the Mitavite accumulator prize for the best score at the Springton Trophy and the South Island Three Day Event, Rebecca Smithey winning the Dunavyte Best Conditioned prize with SD Penamour, and Anna Poole and Methven Secrets winning the other turn out prize. Caitlin Moran and Fancy Bow and Arrow won the The Rider Shop/Rangiora Equestrian Supplies style prize.

Article by Jane Thompson

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