Clarke Johnstone on Vincent, photo John Lechner
Kiwi rising star Clarke Johnstone returned home to New Zealand this weekend for a flying visit to the Kihikihi Horse Trials. Clarke had a weekend off in the UK and a spare ticket home so jumped on a plane to the event where he is defending champion in the CIC3* class and rode two yongsters in the Pre-Novice divisions. Clarke rode GFL Vincenzo in the PN D class to finish 13th after picking up 12 penalties in the jumping phase.
Fortunately Clarke had better luck in the PN A division after having spotless rounds on cross country and then in the jumping to move from 5th after dressage to the lead. I caught up with Clarke for a few minutes at the end of the weekend, to discuss his plans for London and his preparations on the way.
Clarke will be doing some writing for AEL in the coming months as a guest blogger and we look forward to hearing more from Clarke.
Yours in Eventing
John Lechner (ESJ)
