10 Days to Go Until the ESNZ Eventing Canterbury, RD1 National One Day Event Championships

All roads lead to Christchurch next weekend (November 2 & 3) for the ESNZ Eventing Canterbury RD1 National Event Championships held at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island. 

While the event lacks some of the country’s biggest names, including defending champion Donna Smith and Balmoral Tangolooma, who will miss the event to compete at  the Australian International Three Day Event in Adelaide, one of only six 4* events in the world, two weeks later, it promises some top class action.

A small North Island contingent is confirmed to make the trip south headed by Auckland’s Angela Lloyd and her talented 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare Song. Lloyd is one of four riders to contest the RD1 CIC3* for the time-honoured Forest Gate Trophy, which was first presented in 1957. She will face some stiff opposition from in-form Swannanoa veterinarian Sam Taylor on Leo Degas, who is looking to add the 3* title to the Waiteko Trophy he won last year at Taupo when successful in the 2*. Also lining up is Sophie Wigley (Amberley) aboard former national one day champion S.E.Big, and Susie Stewart (Rangiora) on Cowboy.

Competition for honours in the Tavern Harewood CIC2* will be tough with a small but quality field of 10 entered, dominated by Matangi’s Samantha Felton on the impressive duo, Henton After Dark and Ricker Ridge Escada. She is joined by fellow northerner’s Virgina Thompson (Auckland) on Star Nouveau, Sophie Wilkinson (Kaukapakapa) on Little Miss Pete, and Laurie Currie (Lower Hutt) on Wishful Thinking.

Leading young rider Ellie Braddock (Rangiora) leads the South Island’s hopes on Miss Matilda, backing up from success at McLeans Island in the CNC2* on October 13. Also starting is Outram’s Lauren Enright on Tokyo Road, Larissa Srhoy (Loburn) on Smirnoff, Madison Crowe (Ashburton) on Brogan and Alana Alexander (Nelson) on Clifton Maserati.

A field of 24 will contest the Devi Heating Systems CIC1*, battling it out for the Ferndale Salver Trophy, while 18 competitors are down to compete in the Hei Hei Pharmacy CNC105 for the Tait Trophy.

The event is also the first area trial for Canterbury pony club riders looking to secure their place in the New Zealand Pony Club Association (NZPCA) Canterbury Area Horse Trials team to compete at the National Championships next year, which has helped boost numbers at the lower levels in the Striding Edge Horse Shoeing CNC95 and Rangiora Vet Centre and Canterbury Equine Clinic CNC80.

In total, more than 130 riders from throughout New Zealand will compete across two days of action. Dressage and show jumping will take place on Saturday (November 2) with the cross country on Sunday (November 3).

It is the first time the National One Day Event Championships have been held in the South Island, since it was hosted by the Ashburton Area at Surrey Hills in the mid-1990s.

By: Annie Studholme/Eventing Canterbury Media Liaison