Sitting on 46.9pen, Sarah Young and Leo Degas hold the lead in their first-ever CIC3* event – and it is not just any event, it is Eventer of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show.
Jackson Bovill and his mare Visionnaire are not far behind on 47.3, though Sarah would have had a bigger lead, had a “brain-fade” course error not cost her. Samantha Felton and Ricker Ridge Pico Boo are third on 47.6.
In the CIC2*, Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH produced a good test to take the lead on a score of 40.6. Kimberley Rear is second on Delta Legacy, with 45, and Donna Edwards-Smith third on DSE Cluny with 47.8.
The show jumping phase is on tomorrow and the cross-country is held first thing on Saturday morning, when the eventers wind their way through trade stands and the main arena, on John Nicholson’s course.
In 2014, John was one of the first course designers in the world to make competitors go through a marquee of a trade stand and, fittingly, it was Sarah Young, when riding at 2* level, who was the first to negotiate her way under the canvas! We are yet to see if this year’s course will include another foray through a marquee. Many of the riders were still to walk the course, as there are other competitions taking place in the showgrounds. From what we can see of the fences, they look well-built and have been very useful for the audience watching other disciplines, whether it be to sit on or the children to climb on!
CIC3*
| 1 | Leo Degas | Sarah Young | 46.9 |
| 2 | Visionnaire | Jackson Bovill | 47.3 |
| 3 | Ricker Ridge Pico Boo | Samantha Felton | 47.6 |
| 4 | Just Kidding | Amanda ‘Muzi’ Pottinger | 48.5 |
| 5 | Pioneer Brass Monkey | Ashleigh Mckinstry | 49.6 |
CIC2*
| 1 | Tresca NZPH | Bundy Philpott | 40.6 |
| 2 | Delta Legacy | Kimberley Rear | 45 |
| 3 | DSE Cluny | Donna Edwards-Smith | 47.8 |
| 4 | Just de Manzana | Jessica Woods | 49.5 |
| 5 | Waitangi Pinterest | Madison Crowe | 49.7 |
