Annabel and NRM Enzo make a bold leap into the water
Annabel Wigley, from Amberley, had a sensational day at the NRM National Three-day Event in Taupo today, going clear and inside the optimum time on the cross-country on both her horses, the only rider to do so. This performance has moved her into first and second place as a result. She was third after Friday’s dressage with NRM Frog Rock on 54.2 penalties and sixth with NRM Enzo on 59.6, so remains on those scores.
The dressage leader, Emily Cammock (Christchurch) riding Dambala, incurred 14.8 time penalties and has dropped to fifth on 62.8. Larissa Srhoy (Ashburton) and Starburst, who were second overnight, added 12.8 time penalties to lie third on 61.2. Fourth placed Brent Jury (Rangiora) and SE Big added 6.4 time penalties to hold their place on 62.4.
Annabel has a showjumping rail in hand with Frog Rock, but Enzo cannot afford a rail down in Sunday’s showjumping phase, as less than four faults separate the next four horses, so it will be a tense finale.
The first North Island rider, Dannie Lodder riding Petra Eatson’s Moochi, is sixth with 78 penalties, having incurred 17.2 time penalties, moving up one place from the dressage. There is no need to do any adding up in the Inter-island Teams competition, the South Island holding all the top spots, so look assured of retaining the Silver Spurs.
John Nicholson’s cross-country course has received acclaim from riders and spectators alike, with a big crowd enjoying the spectacle in ideal conditions, and the horses and riders relishing the good going.
Standings after cross-country:
NRM CCI3*
Annabel Wigley, NRM Frog Rock, 54.2, 1; Wigley, NRM Enzo, 59.6, 2; Larissa Srhoy, Starburst, 61.2, 3; Brent Jury, SE Big, 62.4, 4; Emily Cammock, Dambala, 62.8, 5
Bates CCI2*
Chelsey Hawthorn, Pioneer Zeuss, 44.6, 1; Ben Bateman, Fiber Fresh Façade, 47.4, 2; Donna Smith, Balmoral Sensation, 51.2, 3; Smith, Balmoral; Tangolooma, 51.6, 4; Campbell Draper, Kahurangi Manu, 51.9, 5; Tom Lane, At The Limit, 61.3, 6
Fiber Fresh CCI*
Chloe Kennedy, Mustang Mollie, 45.6, 1; Gillian Meacham, Hitchhiker, 47.5, 2; Amanda Pottinger, Achilles II, 49.8, 3; Bundy Philpott, Romeo NZPH, 50.2, 4; Denise Rushbrook, Colorrado MVNZ, 51,7, 5; Georgia Dufty, Charlton Tabloid, 53.7, 6
Combined Equine Suppliers Pre-Novice Championships
Kate Lambie, Absolou, 30.5, 1; Megan Finlayson, Greensleeves, 31.2, 2; James Jackson, Leo Distinction, 31.8, 3; Lambie, LT Eloquence, 34, 4; Dannie Lodder, Waitangi Password, 34.2, 5; Tayla Mason, Sonador, 34.8, 6
Virginia Caro
Photo courtesy of Barbara Thomson
