A field of 17 four- and five-year-olds contested the Saddlery Barn Young Event Horse on the Thursday before the South Island Three-Day Event started – and also just before the heavy rain associated with Cyclone Cook came in.
There were some quality young horses contesting the title. After a short dressage test, they completed a show jumping round then went straight on to some cross-country jumps. They were judged on conformation, and the top horses were asked to come back for a gallop.
The best five-year-old and overall winner was Astek Vasili ridden by Emily Cammock. Aria, also ridden by Emily, was judged the best mare. The best four-year-old and best thoroughbred was LV Encostalot ridden by Jessica Woods.
Astek Vasili is by Voltaire II out of a mare by The Graduate. The pair won this class last year when Vasili was four.
Emily has some lovely young horses in her stable at the moment. She rode three in this competition: all three looked the part and scored well.
After heavy rain overnight, the three-day event gets under way today with riders advised they can wear “sensible wet-weather gear” for the dressage which is running to the original timetable.
Cross-country day (Saturday) looks like it will come with beautiful weather, and McLeans Island’s sandy ground will be quick to drain.
Among the officials are two from overseas: welcome to Col Vithai Laithomya from Thailand and Malgorzata Kram from Poland. Bill Phiskie is president of the Ground Jury, Neil Mosley and Chris Buckley are the Technical Delegates. Nick Pyke, Richard Crowe and Nicola Barringer are the cross-country course designers, assisted by Cam Robertson. Katie Russell is Chief Steward and Geoff Bryant is the show jumping course designer.
There are two riders and three horses contesting the Ultimate Design and Renovation Limited CNC 3* – Emily Cammock with Shaw Lee and Lewis, and Kirsty Sharapoff with Shoot the Breeze. Corey Wood and Pick Up Line have elected to start in the Dunstan Feeds CCI2* instead and compete against Maria van Kuijk (Antara Whiskey Mac), Courtney Davis (By Hoki), Jessica Woods (Just De Manzana) and Lydia Truesdale on Allander Rocket.
There are 10 entries in the Burgerfuel CCI1* including Waikato’s Jessica Woods and LV Hat Trick. Brodie Roberts has two horses in, SR Livingston and Playmaker. There are also good entries in the lower classes, from CCN105 down to CNC65.
