Amberley’s Giles Gormack has notched up his first CNC2* victory in fine style aboard the 10 year-old Lucero (above) at the Eventing Canterbury’s opening autumn event at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island on the weekend.
Lying fourth after the dressage, Gormack put in a stunning effort across country, jumping Stephen Montgomery’s course clear adding just 0.8 time penalties to his dressage score of 38 penalties. Geoff Bryant’s showjumping proved influential with only one clear round in the whole class with horses feeling the after effects if the cross country. Gormack had two fences down, as did second-placed Corey Wood (Southland) on Pick Up Line. Emily Cammock (West Melton) and Shaw Lee were third.
Gormack was thrilled with the win having coming close several times. “He felt great. I didn’t think I was going that quick, but he got a keener towards the end of the course. I’m stoked.”
Youngster Lucy Turner (Broadfields) came through to win the 17-strong CNC1* with Carbon on 37.4 penalties, moving up from third after the dressage. Maria van Kuijk and Antara Whiskey Mac finished second on 40.7 penalties with Cammock on Cavorts third on 41.6 penalties. Jessie Fitszjohn and What’s The Buzz were one if the biggest movers, jumping up from 12th after dressage to fifth as the only combination to finish on their dressage score.
West Melton’s Sophie Logan produced a faultless performance on Double J Remember Back to win the hotly-contested CNC105 finishing on her dressage score of 28.7. Leader after the dressage, Larissa Srhoy (Loburn) dropped to second with Rockquest after incurring 1.6 time penalties on the cross country.
Darfield sisters Niamh and Ciara Rayne took out the CNC95 divisions with Southwind Summer and Alpha Romeo SW respectively, while the two CNC80 divisions went to Stephen Montgomery (Christchurch) on Wish List and Nicola Sim (Ashburton) Chocolate Ice.
Photo and article by Annie Studholme
RESULTS:
Class 1 CNC2*: Giles Gormack (Amberley) Lucero 1, Corey Wood (Southland) Pick Up Line 2, Emily Cammock (West Melton) Shaw Lee 3, Kendra McRae (Invercargill) Il Mafioso 4, Lydia Truesdale (Christchurch) Allander Rocket 5, Courtney Davis (Waipara) By Hoki 6.
Class 2 CNC1*: Lucy Turner (Broadfields) Carbon 1, Maria van Kuijk (Kaiapoi) Antara Whiskey Mac 2, Emily Cammock (West Melton) Cavorts 3, Brent Jury (Cust) SE Hedging 4, Jessie Fitzsjohn (Christchurch) Whats The Buzz 5, Emily Cammock (West Melton) Ngahiwi Frosty 6.
Class 3 CNC105: Sophie Logan (West Melton) Double J Remember Back 1, Larissa Srhoy (Loburn) Rockquest 2, Rowan Campbell (West Melton) Redford 3, Kendal Thompson (Greymouth) Awatuna Classic Rose 4, Todd Magner (Hokitika) Kawhaka Concorde 5, Isabella Ashworth (Halswell) Mr J F Hawk 6.
Class 4A CNC95: Niamh Rayne (Darfield) Southwind Summer 1, Eve Hawes (Reefton) Spookee Possum 2, Phoebe Duncan (Weedons) Ahuriri Dusk 3, Maggie Nicholls (Christchurch) Bellwood Roja 4, Lauren Enright (Mosgiel) Raisin The Bar 5, Katie Rankin (Oxford) Ashbury Storm 6.
Class 4B CNC95: Ciara Rayne (Darfield) Alpha Romeo SW 1, Charlotte Hamilton (Halswell) Silk Stockings 2, Sophie Ware (Ladbrooks) Hallmark Command 3, Alison Anderson (Christchurch) Southern Courage 4, Lucy Cochrane (Greenpark) Inspector Gadget 5, Ella Rae-Wood (Greymouth) Dreamtime Jazz 6.
Class 5A CNC80: Stephen Montgomery (Christchurch) Wish List 1, Nicola Barringer (Leeston) Bayross 2, Nicola Barringer (Leeston) Figgy 3, Grace Hyslop (Christchurch) Stepping It Up 4, James Waddell (Ashburton) Designer Genes 5, Clayton Takuira-Mita (Oamaru) Velvet Rose 6.
Class 5B CNC80: Nicola Sim (Ashburton) Chocolate Ice 1, Benjamin Rowley (Timaru) Innocent Eyes 2, Lauren Enright (Mosgiel) Doctors Orders 3, Meg Tregenza (Timaru) Kinda Magic 4, Rosie Sullivan ((Tai Tapu) Summer Ale 5, Sophie Abbot (Christchurch) Tonga 6.