Sam Lissington and Ricker Ridge Rui were sixth at HOY NZ (above) but took the Forest Gate Trophy CCI4*- S at Kihikihi
"It's his time to shine" says Sam Lissington on her Facebook page after securing her second Forest Gate Trophy with victory in the CCI4*- S at the National One Day Championships hosted at the Kihikihi International Horse Trial on board Ricker Ridge Rui
Sam is on top form leading up to her re-location to the UK, having won the CCI3* at Puhinui International in December on board Ricker Ridge Divine Right, the CCI3*-S on board Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ at NZ HOY and third and sixth places at HOY in the CCI4*-S on Ricker Ridge Escada and Ricker Ridge Rui
Sam's 2017 National One Day Champion, Ricker Ridge Escada, was the first to go in the show jumping on Sunday, a beautiful day for the last phase of the Championships. Their lovely clear saw them secure fourth place on 47.2 penalty points and set the scene for an exciting finale.
Jumping in reverse order Monica Oakley (Auckland) was cool as a cucumber to ride the aptly named Acrobat clear and remain on her score of 46.1 for third place.
Madison Crowe (Hamilton) jumped a foot perfect round with the crowd willing her over each fence to end the day on 37.2 and heaping the pressure on the shoulders of Sam, who came out and guided the big striding Ricker Ridge Rui around the course, making it look effortless to remain on their score of 36.9 and secure the Forest Gate Trophy.
In fifth place was Emily Cammock riding Shaw Lee on 61.6 and being rewarded with sixth place in his first-ever 4* start at this venue was Jackson Bovill and Visionnaire on 65.1.
Grassroots Trust CCI3*-S Waiteko Trophy
There was not much movement in the Grassroots Trust CCI3*-S Waiteko Trophy with the top six combinations all jumping clear.
The overall class winners were Matthew Grayling (Taranaki) and NRM Trudeau on their impressive score of 28.7. However due to eligibility rules around the championship, it was Monica Oakley who won the Waiteko Trophy on Artist on 32.5 and Louise Mulholland (Taumarunui) and Mr McTaggart runner up on 32.8.
Monica was also fourth on Festival, 34.4, with Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ in fifth 35.0 and Lauren Alexander (Auckland) aboard Classic Indigo sixth with their 36 effort.
Wade Equine Coaches CCI2*-S Ferndale Trophy
In Wade Equine Coaches CCI2*-S Ferndale Trophy, Clarke Johnstone and Watermill Glenneagle jumped a flowing round to take the win on 26.9. Lizzie Green and Comanche II jumped a copybook clear to finish second on 28.7 and clear rounds from Kaitlyn Freeman and Landisohn and Jenny Pearce on Top Steel saw them move into third and fourth respectively on 34.5 and 35.2.
Jock Paget and Bing Bong had two uncharacteristic poles down to relegate them to fifth place on 36.5. Amanda Pottinger and Good Timing were sixth on 39.3.
JLT CCN105-S Tait Trophy
Clarke Johnstone on Watermill Hadley were the leaders from the get-go in the JLT CCN105-S Tait Trophy, finishing on 26.5. Clarke also claimed second place on Dolly Blue with 27.1 and Lizzie Green had another great ride, this time on Corona Xtreme, to finish in third place with 30.6. Sophie Wilkinson was fourth on Astek Gampardo on 31.8, Sofie Boswell and Anastasia fifth on 34.4 and a rail down moved Gemma Hampson aboard Just Rock On from third to sixth on 34.5.
In the non-championship Prestige 2* class Angela Lloyd and her mare Lyrical won despite one rail to see them finish on 33.8 however they had enough of a margin with Bonnie Farrant and Jay Gatsby retiring, which moved Graham Fox and Oranoa Tobasco to second place on 36.7. Third placing went to Dana Hawkins and Bold Trader on 37.7, fourth was Lara Butler-Gallie on Istacruiz with 39.1, Jenny Bevege and Ngatamahine JJ Airtime were fifth on 39.4, and sixth place went to Amanda Illston aboard Brotherhood on 41.
In the 105 class the show jumping took its toll on many, but not Scout Lodder who added nothing to her tally of 19.8 in the Vosper Law CCN1050-S Restricted. Emily Wright and JA Take a Shot added four penalties but still retained second spot with 33. Moving up into third place were Greer Bullock and J A Candy Girl on 34.2, Ella Rutherford and Banjo II were fourth on 34.8, Paula Henderson and Renegades Night Rider took fifth with their score of 35, and sixth went to Mary Matthews with Just a Jem on 36.7.
There was no change to the Carlton Party Hire CCN105-S Restricted for winner Amber Scott and Absolou on 21.5, however changes were aplenty thereafter, with Unda No Allusion and Ashleigh Bulter moving into second on 32.2, Mikaela Lewis and Zenvo who were second after cross country had a rail that saw them drop to third on 33, fourth was Sharon Kerwin and In The Red II on 34, with Alyssa Harrison and Da Vinci Code fifth with 34.5, and Mary Matthews aboard He’s a Gem 34.5 sixth.
The Pryde’s Easifeed CCN105-S Open class saw Rachel Masters and Powerhouse having a rail but with enough of a buffer to hold on for the win. Sarah Bleakley and the perky El Novio snaffled second place on their dressage score of 28.2, with third going to Samantha Mynott aboard Riverview Mana on 30.5. In fourth was Leasa Williamson and Riverview Damairis on 30.5, Cassie Hodder and Schiavo took a change in scene from showing to pick up fifth on 30.7 and in sixth place was Tayla Moss on King Oath with 32.5.
