Dannie Lodder and Moochi
The Puhinui Three-day Event, the pinnacle of the spring season, always has a big impact on the Eventing Super League, with double points on offer for three-day (CCI) events. This year has been remarkable in that no rider had scored more than once in the five events leading up to Puhinui, and three combinations were tied for top spot.
The Honda NZ CCI3* at Puhinui has changed all that, with the Auckland combination of Dannie Lodder riding Petra Eatson’s Moochi the first to finally accumulate points, having placed second behind Matthew Grayling and Henton Executive over the weekend, to jump from fourth place on the scoreboard to a resounding lead with a tally of 143 points.
Grayling has only been riding Henton Executive for four months, previous riders having found him difficult to handle, but they are building a formidable partnership, this being their first competition at top level. The prestigious win sees them leap onto the Super League table in second place with 92 points, ahead of the three previous co-leaders, none of whom added to their tally.
The National One-day Event champions, Angela Lloyd and Song led the CCI3* class after the dressage, but Lloyd was dislodged when Song jumped awkwardly at the entrance to the water complex, resulting in elimination. Tessa Jacks retired Cracker Jack Candy after two refusals on the cross-country course, while Bryce Newman and Bates Trademark were not competing at the event.
Puhinui marks the halfway stage of the year long series, which resumes again in the autumn, the three big events which will shape the final outcome being the NRM HOY CIC3* in Hastings in March, the Kihikihi CIC3* at Te Awamutu in April, and the NRM CCI3*, the final event in the series, at Taupo in May.
CLICK HERE for our full 4* coverage of Puhinui International 3 Day Event 2013
ESNZ Eventing Super League
Standings after six events
Dannie Lodder, Auckland, Moochi, 143 pts; Matthew Grayling, New Plymouth, Henton Executive, 92 pts; Angela Lloyd, Auckland, Song, 69 pts; Bryce Newman, Bulls, Bates Trademark, 69 pts; Tessa Jacks, Hamilton, Cracker Jack Candy, 69 pts.
Virginia Caro
