Samantha Felton has added the Puhinui three-star title to her impressive CV, with a win today on her jumping machine, Ricker Ridge Divine Right.
Sam and the 11-year-old thoroughbred mare by His Royal Highness snatched the lead in the Honda NZ CCI3* after an outstanding cross-country performance, being the only combination to come home under the optimum time, and despite having a show jumping rail, finished nearly 10 penalties clear of second-placed Madison Crowe and Waitangi Pinterest.
Sam was also third on Ricker Ridge Rui. Only five of the original 12 starters completed the competition, with Donna Edwards-Smith withdrawing DSE Tangolooma before cross-country and retiring DSE Cluney on course, Emily Cammock having Shaw Lee vetted out at the final trot-up, Corey Wood withdrawing Pick Up Line before show jumping, Matthew Grayling withdrawing NRM Trudeau after cross-country. Kirsty Sharapoff and Shoot the Breeze were eliminated after a fall at fence 4.
Abby Lawrence and Anonymous won the Auckland Council CCCI2*, on their dressage score, while Sam was second on Ricker Ridge Riley.
Muzi Pottinger won the Veterinary Associates CCI* on Good Timing, Kelli Frewin the NZ Horse & Pony CCN105 on Phoenician Zatalk, and Eleisha Williams the FMG CCN95 on Daimler Benz.
In the national classes, Fiona Frazer and Xanthus III won the Thompson Electrical CNC*, and Juliet Wood the Bucas CNC105 on Waitangi Imak.
For our full coverage, see the January issue of NZ Horse & Pony magazine, on sale December 24.
