Donna and Balmoral Tangolooma at Sydney International 3 Day Event
In atrocious weather conditions, day three of the NRM National Three Day Eventing Championships proved the most influential with very few clear rounds across the classes
However the pouring rain didn’t seem to deter Donna Smith and Balmoral Tangolooma who jumped a foot perfect round to take out the CCI 3* NRM National Championship, a title that she last held back in 2009.
Bryce Newman and Bates Trademark came into the arena looking fresh and gave the fences plenty of air, his round had clear all over it until the last two jumps caught him out! However, he still clung onto second position with third spot taken by Matthew Grayling aboard his catch ride, Christen Hayde’s Tandarra Sweet As. Annabel Wigley and NRM Frog Rock struggled with the conditions, collecting sixteen faults along the way and dropping them down to fourth place.
The CCI 2* Bates Intermediate Championship saw rails falling left, right and centre but Jessica Woods came out with a determined look on her face and she provided the goods with Defies Logic, jumping a clear round with only one time penalty to secure the championship title. Francesca Silver on the 9yr old gelding Case in Point provided an exceptional clear that saw them leap from tenth place over night to second. Ellie Braddock on Miss Matilda moved up from seventh to secure third place, Sophie Wigley and S.E Big took fourth position and Diane Gilder on Your Attorney in fifth.
The rain certainly played its part throughout the day, more than ever in the CCI 1* Fiber Fresh NZ Novice Championship where overnight leader Donna Smith and Cluny came out to jump their round in torrential rain. What more could you do than smile your way around! Cluny tried his heart out but collected eight faults along the way, dropping them down to fourth overall. Megan Finlayson and Greensleeves lapped up the course and jumped a superb clear round to secure the 2013 CCI 1* Fiber Fresh NZ Novice Championship title. Second went to Andy Daines and Spring Panorama and third to Dannie Lodder on Waitangi Password who moved up from seventh to secure their third spot.
The CCN-PN Cato Packaging Championship saw a familiar face walk away with the title! None other than Donna Smith, this time aboard KS Triple 8 who jumped a clear show jumping round, finishing on their dressage score of 31.2 and moving up from second to first on the final day. James Jackson and Carlo took second spot, finishing on their dressage score of 31.5.
It was a fantastic finale to the Eventing season at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre in Taupo. A huge thankyou goes out to the organisers, officials, volunteers, riders and most importantly the very valuable sponsors that made the event such a success.
Many thanks to Joanna Smith of ESNZ for providing articles and updates
