Simone Kaan and Donna Smith lead the CCI1* and CCI2* at Puhinui
Two girls were sitting in the press conference at the end of today, not only delighted with their own performances but also with each other’s. Simone Kann, originally from Queensland in Australia, riding Balmoral Oakey had taken the lead in the first class of the day, the Veterinary Associates’ CCI1* with a beautiful double clear cross country round on a score of 45.6. The six year old Australian bred horse that Simone was absolutely ‘stoked’ with today was one of three acquired from Australian show jumper Michelle Lang when Michelle bought Simone’s house. At the time Michelle commented that in the long run Simone may end up doing very well out of the deal and it looks as if she may now be right.
The CCI1* was run in the worst of the weather today with occasional rain keeping the ground quite wet but Balmoral Oakey and Simone handled the conditions well
Simone Kann talks about her cross country ride
Simone overtook the overnight leader, Kate Wood when Kate and her lovely grey Tobruk had a run out at fence 11 to slip down to 14th
“It was a silly run out” said Kate “I forget sometimes how green he is” but the 10 year old thoroughbred looks like a horse that Kate could have a lot of success with in the future.
Cherie Jacques moved up from sixth to second with her clear round on Tobinator (46.2) while third place was taken by Sophie Wilkinson, not on her horse Turbulence who was placed third yesterday and was retired on course today, but riding Bob’s Dream (48.1). Second after the dressage, Jessica Woods and LV Award finished in fourth with just 8.4 time faults
Simone’s partner, Donna Smith went into the Cato Packaging CCI2* in the lead with a few reservations, having had a bad fall in the main arena last year on the same horse, Balmoral Sensation. The pair had a good lead after the dressage and used some of that advantage up in time faults to finish on a score of 42.1, but this was part of the plan
Donna was also very appreciative of the help given to her by Andrew Nicholson yesterday
“We had a great conversation with Andrew Nicholson yesterday and he was brilliant. He was so inspiring and so good; he said “It’s a beautiful horse” and told us a couple of things that helped me so much today. I had a bad moment at Fence 4 and I remembered what Andrew had told me and it worked! Exactly what he said would happen, happened and we had the best ride after that. Andrew was amazing, it was so inspiring that he cared enough to come and have the conversation and he was so open with his knowledge – we should be using him more often here in New Zealand”
Twenty two year old NZ Eventing Performance Squad member Virginia Thompson (above) has recently spent time in the UK with the legendary Pippa Funnell and some of Pippa’s magic must have rubbed off. Virginia and her stunning young mare had a great run to maintain second place on a score of 46.70.
Clarke Johnstone and Leo Degas
Another rider who has been in the UK for a long time but is now back in New Zealand, Clarke Johnstone riding Sam Taylor’s Leo Degas had a dream run on their first cross country together to finish in third place on a score of 47.4.
By the time the Honda NZ CCI3* riders headed out on course the weather had dramatically improved and the course was bathed in sunshine. SE Big ridden by Brent Jury made up for his misdemeanours in the dressage arena yesterday by eating up Tich Massey’s course and helping Brent out in a sticky moment through the Honda Dream Arena water complex. His 83.4 penalties from the dressage phase didn’t look too bad by the end of cross country day when he finished in fifth place
The overnight leader Angela Lloyd also had a mishap at the water with an elegant but involuntary dismount from Song at the first element. Angela was still smiling afterwards but couldn’t hide her disappointment, berating herself that she should have stayed on
“I was really looking forward to riding all the rest of the course!” she said
Dannie Lodder was also bitterly disappointed with her run out at the second last fence after an otherwise great round, dropping her from second to third but adding 20 jumping and 3.2 time penalties to finish on 79.2
“I’m gutted” she said and even hugs from family couldn’t make up for it right then. Mum of two, Dannie explained to her young daughter that mummy had had a run out at one of the fences, only to be promptly and innocently asked “Why?” You know what they say about not working with animals and children……..
Fletch.com was giving Simon Grieve a copy book round until Fence 23 when he too picked up 20 penalties with a glance off, putting him in fifth place on 84.60. Matthew Grayling and Kelsey Rothery were the only other two clear jumping rounds as Tessa Jacks and Abby Lawrence both retired on course.
Kelsey Rothery and The Felon
Kelsey’s clear round on The Felon moved her up to second spot on 69.60 while Athens Olympian Matthew Grayling riding the locally bred Henton Executive used all his experience (and a little bit of Nicholson-like stickability as you can see in the video below) on the horse he has only been riding for a few months.
We spoke to Matthew and his daughter Charlotte yesterday when they told us more about ‘Eric’ and what it is like to compete against each other
Matthew and Charlotte Grayling
Matthew Grayling and Henton Executive
The leading horse in the Honda NZ CCI3*, Henton Executive was bred at Henton Hanoverian stud by Bridget and Dave Sutton, a couple who are a driving force behind the Puhinui International Horse Trials and they are still involved as part owners in the Henton Executive Syndicate. Bridget was understandably pleased with the clear jumping round and only 0.4 time penalties
“The horse has been purpose bred to do this but you never know what will happen until they start going through the grades” she said “The question was asked today and both Matthew and the horse rose to the challenge so we’re thrilled”
Matthew has 12 penalties in hand over Kelsey tomorrow then there is a big gap to the remaining three riders. However as today has shown, anything can happen in eventing and we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to know who are the ultimate winners of the 2013 Puhinui International 3 Day Event. Check back tomorrow starting with the second horse inspection and maybe even a delicious cooked breakfast ........
An Eventful Life videoed all riders on cross country today. CLICK HERE to find out more about ordering your video or view videos from events
