Fraser King and Nadal KSNZ Photo: Annie Studholme
Surprise package Fraser King has come from behind to win one of New Zealand eventing's biggest crowns at the Eventing Canterbury National One Day Event Championships in Christchurch today.
Riding the former racehorse, Nadal KSNZ, the Cambridge lawyer produced a foot perfect cross country effort to win the CIC3* and with it the prestigious Forest Gate Trophy.
Spread over two days of intense competition, King was lying sixth after the dressage phase, and started today's cross country in fourth on his dressage score of 55.6 penalties after jumping a clear showjumping round yesterday.
The cross country was action-filled with John Carmichael's bold championship track taking its toll. Five of the 11-strong field were either eliminated or retired, with King the only rider to come home under the time allowed. The biggest casualty was overnight leader Samantha Felton, who after jumping a beautiful clear on Ricker Ridge Escada was eliminated on Henton After Dark and retired after a fall from Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, fracturing her collarbone.
King was understandably thrilled with the win, having taken out the CCI2* here at the FEI South Island Three Day Event in 2013. "I am absolutely rapt. I couldn't be happier, he was phenomenal out there today," he said.
2012 champ Donna Smith had to settle for second with Tangolooma after incurring 3.6 pesky time penalties, with Felton third on Ricker Ridge Escada ahead of Christen Hayde (Pukekohe) and Tandarra Sweet As, fourth.
Jessica Woods and Too Predictable Photo: Annie Studholme
Ohaupo's Jessica Woods guided Too Predictable home clear and inside the time over the Nick Pyke-designed track to take out the CIC2* for the Waiteko Trophy, sneaking ahead of overnight leader Annabel Wigley on Sam Taylor's Leo Degas, who incurred 1.6 time penalties. A faultless cross country performance saw Waiarapa's Amanda Pottinger and Achilles move up to third with Wigley and NRM Enzo fourth.
Clarke Johnstone and Quainton Labyrinth Photo: Annie Studholme
Former mainlander Clarke Johnstone (Te Awamutu) dominated the 30-strong Saddlery Barn CIC1* taking the quinella with Quainton Labyrinth and Sportsman II, both finishing on their dressage scores of 47.3, respectively. He also won the Hei Hei Pharmacy CNC105 with In Disguise.
The Clarke McKenzie CNC95 was won by Reefton's Eve Hawes on Spookee Possum finishing on her dressage score of 33.9 while Lower Hutt visitor Lauren Currie took out the Rangiora Vet Centre & Canterbury Equine Clinic CNC80 aboard Spectacular Brew.
RESULTS (final):
Class 1 CIC3* Forest Gate Trophy: Fraser King (Cambridge) Nadal KSNZ, 55.6, 1; Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata) Tangolooma 59.1, 2; Samantha Felton (Matangi) Ricker Ridge Escada 63.4, 3; Christen Hayde (Pukekohe) Tandarra Sweet As, 69.5, 4; Susannah Stewart (Rangiora) Cowboy, 116.3, 5; Emily Cammock (West Melton) Dambala, 157.8, 6.
Class 2 CIC2* Waiteko Trophy: Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) Too Predictable, 51.6, 1; Annabel Wigley (Amberley) Leo Degas, 52.1, 2; Amanda Pottinger (Waiarapa) Just Kidding, 53.9, 3; Annabel Wigley (Amberley) NRM Enzo, 54.8, 4; Madison Crowe (Rakaia) Brogan, 57, 5; Sophie Wilkinson (Kaukapakapa) Bob's Dream, 62.6, 6.
Class 3 Saddlery Barn CIC1* Ferndale Salver Trophy: Clarke Johnstone (Te Awamutu) Quainton Labyrinth, 47.3, 1; Clarke Johnstone (Te Awamutu) Sportsman II, 47.3, 2; Tayla Mason (Waikanae) Royalty, 49.9, 3; Kirsty Sharapoff (West Melton) Shoot The Breeze, 50.3, 4; Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata) SE Godswalk, 52.5, 5; Clarke Johnstone (Te Awamutu) Aqua, 53.5, 6.
Class 4 Hei Hei Pharmacy CNC105 Tait Trophy: Clarke Johnstone (Te Awamutu) In Disguise, 30.2, 1; Emily Cammock (West Melton) Ngahiwi Frosty, 31.5, 2; Lauren Currie (Lower Hutt) Rockdon Wildfire, 33.2, 3; Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) LV Elf, 33.2, 4; Sophie Wilkinson (Kaukapakapa) Lord Frederick, 36, 5; Emily Cammock (West Melton) Donellan, 36.5, 6.
Class 5 Clarke Mckenzie CNC95: Eve Hawes (Reefton) Spookee Possum, 33.9, 1; Larissa Srhoy (Rangiora) Double Black, 35.2, 2; Giles Gormack (Amberley) King Size, 35.3, 3; Tarryn Jones (Yaldhurst) Tokolossi, 37, 4; Lauren Enright (Outram) On The Rocks, 37.2, 5; Lauren Enright (Outram) Hot Fuzz, 37.8, 6.
Class 6 Rangiora Vet Centre & Canterbury Equine Clinic CNC80: Lauren Currie (Lower Hutt) Spectacular Brew, 33.4, 1; Benjamin Rowley (Timaru) Innocent Eyes, 36.3, 2; Kendra Walls (Selwyn) Van Wilder, 36.6, 3; Lauren Enright (Outram) Raisin The Bar, 40, 4; Claudia Wilson (Christchurch) Annaghdown, 40, 5; Benjamin Lott (Fairlie) Coalstar, 41.4, 6.
Article and photos by Annie Studholme
