Sam Felton and Ricker Ridge Pico Boo Photo: Michael Thompson
Unfortunately for Clarke Johnstone his trip to the Sydney International Horse Trials to contest the CCI3* with Balmoral Sensation came to a sad conclusion when they parted company at the water complex, after a competitive dressage test which saw them go into the cross-country lying fourth. As a result they have not added to their Super League total, and are highly likely to be overtaken at the final event, the NRM CCI3* at Taupo on 16-18 May.
Meanwhile the Norwood Farm Machinery CNC3* class at the Central Districts Horse Trials was reduced to four starters, two of whom finished. Samantha Felton had a convincing win on Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, adding 5.6 cross-country time penalties to her second placed dressage score, with Campbell Draper, who led the dressage on Kahurangi Manu, having four rails down in the showjumping and 6.8 cross-country time penalties.
The win has elevated Felton into the top twelve in the Super League, but still way off the leaders, although the first three are not contesting the Super League class at Taupo. It looks like being the most competitive finish yet to the year long ESNZ Eventing Super League series, with no change in the standings at the top of the table this weekend.
Standings after eleven rounds:
Clarke Johnstone (Hamilton), Balmoral Sensation, 147 pts; Dannie Lodder (Auckland), Moochi, 143.5 pts; Simon Gordon (Auckland), Fletch.com, 136.5 pts; Angela Lloyd (Auckland), Song, 124 pts; Sam Taylor (Canterbury), Leo Degas, 115 pts; Kelsey Rothery (Cambridge), The Felon, 114.5 pts.
Virginia Caro
