Overlooking the showjumping arena at Arran Station
Fresh blood always brings new ideas, and that is certainly the case at Arran Station, where the course designers for the New Zealand National Eventing Championships on 29th & 30th October are making their mark. Chris Ross, from Woodhill Sands, is the 3*/2* designer, Chris Lever, from Masterton, the 1*/105 designer, while Shane Tilson, Havelock Nth, will shape the 95/80 tracks.
All three will also use borrowed mobiles from a number of courses, in an effort to keep construction costs down, following almost total cuts in funding grants. So you may recognise the odd fence here and there, but it is amazing how different terrain changes the challenge of an obstacle. John Holmes is making several NHB mobiles available, and Shane will bring some from his new Havelock Nth Pony Club course.
Thanks to a bit of negotiation by ESNZ CEO Vicki Glynn, the HOY mobiles have been made available, and C&SHB Eventing chair Craig Dunderdale was able to collect them with his employer’s big rig – thank you Foley-Agri! Expect to see some large machinery dotted around as well, with trucks and tractors incorporated into the décor, as well as Chris Lever’s wonderful wooden works of art.
The CIC3* (Forest Gate Trophy) title class is again supported by the loyal and longstanding sponsor, Hans Dresel of Red Snap’r, who has been on board since 2003, when the first Advanced class was run in the spring, so all eventers should be using his solar powered electric fence systems by now!
Oaklane Stables Premium Chaff, of Hastings, first time sponsors at Arran Station, are supporting the CIC2* (Waiteko Trophy), so welcome to them, and hope they enjoy their involvement in our sport. Their quality lucerne chaff is available throughout the North Island at all Farmlands stores, as well as other feed outlets.
Equissage NZ return to sponsor the CIC1* (Ferndale Salver), after initial involvement last year, and Mitavite have come on board as first time sponsors of the 105 cm championship (Blyth Tait Trophy). They are also the new sponsors of the Mitavite Young Rider series.
All other classes are supported by local businesses, many of whom have been sponsoring at Arran Station for many years. However the sponsor to whom most gratitude is owed is Silver Fern Farms, who own the property, and are very co-operative landowners.
With less than three weeks to go, there is much to be done, but the weather in CHB has been wonderful compared with most of the country, so the incessant rain we have had has been welcome after an abnormally dry winter – eat your heart out, no mud here! Arran Station will be mown and the haylage removed before the event, so the going should be fantastic.
The National Eventing Champs will move on to another venue next year, so you need to come this year or you will have missed watching one of the country’s top competitions at a spectacular venue, with spectator viewing second to none, and a small but experienced organising team, who will welcome you with a smile.
Wow - what a backdrop! Ginny Thompson warming up for dressage with the Ruahines in the distance
