Leading South Island Eventer Descend on Christchurch   6 Nov 2015

ESNZ EVENTING CANTERBURY
FEI SOUTH ISLAND ONE DAY EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, November 7, & Sunday, November 8
SI National Equestrian Centre, McLeans Island

LEADING SOUTH ISLAND EVENTERS DESCEND ON CHRISTCHURCH

The South Island’s leading eventers will be in action this weekend for the ESNZ Eventing Canterbury FEI South Island One Day Eventing Championships being held at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, near Christchurch.

The event has attracted an all-star line-up from throughout the South Island contesting titles at CIC3*, CIC2*, CIC1*, along with the traditional classes at CNC105, CNC95 and CNC80 levels.

West Melton’s Emily Cammock dominates the starters in the ESNZ Eventing Canterbury CIC3* for the Ataahua Brigadier Trophy lining up both Shaw Lee and the lesser experienced, Lewis, both who have been in strong form this season. Also starting is current South Island Three Day Event CCI2* champion Giles Gormack on Lucero.

Despite just the three entries, the class is part of the ESNZ Eventing Super League, but they’re unlikely to make any headway on current leader, Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) on Double J Sunshine, who sits well clear on 93 points.

The Storer Motors Ltd CIC2* will be a much closer affair, attracting a field of eight contenders, any one of which is capable of securing the Dusky Bay Cup.

The line-up includes Broadfield’s teen Lucy Turner on Carbon, who will be looking to further extend their lead in the PGG Wrightson Junior Rider Series, current South Island Three day Event CCI1* victor Kirsty Sharapoff (West Melton) on Shoot The Breeze, and Brent Jury (Cust) on SE Hedging, who was an impressive winner at the same venue last month. Also lining up are Sophie Abbott (Christchurch) on Time To Tango Too, Courtney Davis (Waipara) on Dunrobin Sante Fe, Maria van Kuijk (Kaiapoi) on Antara Whiskey Mac and lastly, Wyndham visitor Corey Wood on Pick Up Line.

A field of 18 will battle it out for the Hei Hei Pharmacy CIC1*, with strong fields also vying for honours in the Canterbury Equine CNC105, Rangiora Veterinary Centre CNC95 ESNZ Eventing CNC80.

Timaru’s Bill Phiskie heads the Ground Jury, supported by Stuart Bishell for the CNC3 & 2* classes, while Helen Christie will team up with Mura Love for the CIC1*.

Outside of the action, one of the highlights of the weekend will be the celebrity course walk on Saturday afternoon to be conducted by Annabel Wigley, who has just returned from riding in the UK having competed at 4* level at the likes of Badminton and Burghley. Annabel will walk both the 105cm and 95cm courses, starting 30 min after the completion of the show jumping, with other senior riders to walk the 80cm track. Following the walk, at approximately 4.30-5.00 pm, Annabel will give a short talk on cross country riding, particularly in relation to how to judge your speed, in the Glynn East Hall. The officials will also be present and will give some tips on riding at FEI events, as well as being available to answer questions. Any riders are welcome to attend and this will be the opportunity to ask any questions in relation to the cross country tracks. It will be followed by a barbeque. There will also be a sponsor’s tent on Sunday.

The dressage and showjumping is on Saturday starting at 8.30am with the cross country to take place on Sunday. The CIC3* first out on course at 9am.

Food and drinks available on the grounds. Free entry.

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