The Advanced title at Puhinui is one of the few big prizes in New Zealand eventing to elude Muzi Pottinger so far, but it came a big step closer today with an outstanding dressage performance on her old friend, Just Kidding, scoring a whopping 78.81% in the Vet Associates CCI4*-L.
The bar was a high one, with some stunning work shown by both Monica Oakley and Artist, and also Maddy Crowe with Waitangi Pinterest; both of these horses are extremely elegant and the experience and skills of their riders was evident. They ended up on an identical score of 74.52% for 25.5 penalties, and it seemed like we’d have joint leaders going into the cross-country.
But defending Puhinui champion Clarke Johnston isn’t going to let his title go without a decent tussle, and he rode last year’s winner Aces High for every mark, and was rewarded by the Ground Jury (Helen Christie, Margs Carline and Nicoli Fife, who were very much in accord) with 76.83% to go into the lead.
The smallish crowd watching was rewarded with the very best for last: as Muzi and ‘Ferg’ went up the centreline it was clear we were going to see something special indeed. It was a near faultless performance from the 14-year-old thoroughbred (Fusaich Pegasus/Sadler’s Wells), and fully deserved what must just about be a record score for Puhinui.
It was certainly a personal best score at Advanced level for Muzi, who says she is “absolutely chuffed” with her horse. “He was a true professional from start to finish, and full credit must go to our coaches Penny [Castle] and Jock [Paget] for all the time they have put in over the years pushing us to get that score!”
It was interesting, too, that three of the top four Advanced horses after dressage are full thoroughbreds (Just Kidding, Aces High and Artist), proof if ever it was needed that quality TBs can foot it in every phase against fancy-moving warmbloods.
Matthew Grayling and Trudeau are always strong performers on the flat, and didn’t disappoint, with a solid 72.22% to slot into fifth place, while Emily Cammock and Shaw Lee made up the top six, with a score of 68.57% for 31.4penalties.
It’s quite a spread, then, with more than 10 penalties between first and sixth placed combinations, and nearly 20 between the entire field of 16.
But as it’s always stated at the end of the first phase of a three-day event, it isn’t a dressage competition, and Tich Massey’s cross-country track is going to take some jumping. Tich is warmly welcomed back at Puhinui after the last two years’ absence, and he’s created some interesting new questions, making full use of the new layout at Puhinui which sees the course now start and finish at the far south end of the peninsula.
It’s very much a galloping track, with Tich’s trademark bold distances rewarding bravery and commitment from both horses and riders – and so fitness, too, will play a big part.
Muzi admits to being a bit nervous about tomorrow’s challenge. “There is a lot to do, and it feels like a long way around since we haven’t done a three-day event for over a year!” she says.
CCI3* and CCI2*
Jock Paget is leading the Prestige Equestrian CCI3*-L with Bing Bong; they scored 72.7% for 27.3 penalties which put them just ahead of second-equal placed Emily Cammock with Antara, and Christen Lane with Henton Armada. Both of these horses are by Anamour, and scored 72.06% for 27.9 penalties.
Greer Caddigan is fourth on Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, Angela Lloyd is just behind her with Lyrical, and Bundy Philpott makes up the top six in the class of 28, riding Henton First Lady.
The Swarbrick Trophy for the Young Rider 3DE Championship is held as part of this class, and the best-scoring of the six contenders is Alena Dorotich with Donner XS, who are ninth overall on 31.8pen.
In the SsangYong CCI2*-L, it’s Vicky Browne-Cole and Comanche II who hold the lead, with 74.2% for 25.8 penalties, over second-placed Clarke Johnstone and Watermill Hadley.
Defending champion, and current holder of the Lenamore Trophy for leading Junior Rider, Ella Morshuis, is poised to defend both crowns, sitting third on the lovely World Famous, on 28.4 penalties.
Dannie Lodder is fourth with Money Shot, on 29.3pen, Denise Rushbrooke is fifth with Astek Gadzuks, and Chanel Griffiths makes up the top six with Astek Guardsman.
National classes
In the national classes, Maddy Crowe and Prestige Springs lead the Auckland Council CCN1*-S A division, and Bridie Quigley on Ricker Ridge Riley lead the B division, which is sponsored by Thompson Electrical.
In the 95cm classes, the leading combinations are Eden Annabell with Lord Rupert, and Dannie Lodder with Kingsguard.
