As Libby Law was dashing around the Puhinui Reserve in Auckland to bring you our digital cross country walk of the CCI3* course a few trucks were rolling in with the arrival of the first of the competitors.
Clarke Johnstone was giving Balmoral Sensation a stretch of the legs and a look around the Reserve which has one of the best backdrops of any event. Despite being only 20 minutes from downtown Auckland (well, depending on the traffic, which seems to be always busy) the 199ha of rural landscape occupies the southern portion of the Puhinui Peninsula. From the dressage warm up arena you overlook the Manukau Harbour which is home to a variety of rare or endangered bird species; because of this and the large intertidal area set aside as the Puhinui Stream Wildlife Refuge, dogs are not allowed on the Reserve except during the Three Day Event so take advantage of this exception and treat your dog to an annual Puhinui Reserve walk if you’re coming down this weekend (they must be on a leash however).
Clarke and Balmoral Sensation against the backdrop of Manukau Harbour
Balmoral Sensation, who won the CCI2* here last year ridden by Donna Smith, looked on great form as Clarke rode around under the watchful eye of his dressage coach and well known New Zealand rider Vanessa Way
“He’s feeling pretty fresh” said Clarke as the 10 year old grey gelding put in a few little bucks “But he’s also feeling really good”. Apart from a little hiccup at the Sydney International Horse Trials, this pair have been on top form this year winning the 3* at Taupo, Kihikihi and Horse of the Year and must be the favourites for this event.
We’re not bird twitchers but we are eventer twitchers and another rider spotted today having a little ride around was 19 year old Abigail Long on BMW Advokaat (above). Abigail and her 15 year old chestnut gelding will be starting in the CCI1* National Three Day Event Junior Rider class which, along with the CCI2* Young Rider Championship is a new addition to the Puhinui class line-up.
The event kicks off tomorrow afternoon with the first horse inspection which hopefully will be held in lots more of this lovely Kiwi sunshine
