CAMMOCK PRIMED AND READY FOR NATIONAL HONOURS

Emily Cammock and Dambala Photo: Annie Studholme

WHAT: ESNZ Eventing Canterbury National One Day Event Championships

WHEN: Saturday, November 8, & Sunday, November 9, 2013

WHERE: National Equestrian Centre, McLeans Island

West Melton’s Emily Cammock is primed and ready to tackle the country’s best when she steps out in the CIC3* at the ESNZ Eventing Canterbury National One Day Event Championships at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, near Christchurch, tomorrow (Saturday).

Cammock will ride her stunning grey Dambala, with whom she won the National Three-Day Event crown with at Taupo in 2012, as well the 10-year-old Shaw Lee, who is stepping out at three star level for the very first time. Although she is quietly confident, she has had a less than ideal build-up this week after being knocked in the head last Friday which resulted in a trip to A&E and an impressive black eye.

“It’s certainly been an interesting week,” she laughs. Despite her injury, the former international is happy with where her five-strong team is at heading into what is her greatest challenge since resuming riding after the birth of her first child last year. “It’s Shaw Lee’s first crack at CIC3* and while I don’t expect him to be winning after the dressage, he is jumping super duper.”

Meanwhile, she couldn’t be happier with Dambala, who was last seen out eventing at Taupo in May 2013. “He’s had a long break but fitness-wise I couldn’t be happier with where he is tracking. He feels amazing. We’ll just have to wait and see how he copes with the ground conditions. It’s not the ideal track to bring him back on, but I can’t wrap him in cotton wool.” All going well, Cammock has her eyes set on next year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day-Event, one of only six events worldwide part of the FEI Classics, but admittedly that’s a long way off, she says.

Cammock also has Lewis and Al For Short entered in the strong CIC2*, with Cavorts and youngsters Donellan and Ngahiwi Frosty in the CNC105.

“I am really excited, and it’s really cool to have so many North Islanders down. From what I have seen it looks pretty challenging out there. It’s a very different route to what we are used to, which is great for local riders too.” And although it had been dry, she praised the organising committee for the work they had done on the track.

Joining the South Island’s hopes for CIC3* honours is Sam Taylor (Swannanoa) on Leo Degas, who is looking to add the Forest Gate Trophy to the Waiteko Trophy (CIC2*) he won in 2012 and Rangiora’s Susannah Stewart on Cowboy, who have been in dynamic form already this season with back-to-back wins.

The class has been boosted by a huge North Island contingent making the journey south to compete, silencing concerns the competition would not be of true championship standard. In all, eight of the 13-strong field hail from the North Island including former champions Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata) on Balmoral Tangolooma and former southerner Christen Hayde, now based in Franklin, on Tandarra Sweet As. Also entered is rising star Samantha Felton (Matangi), who won both the CIC2* and CIC1* classes here last year, returning with her three horses – Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, Ricker Ridge Escada and Henton After Dark, top young rider Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) on Defies Logic, Fraser King (Cambridge) on Nadal KSNZ and Amanda Pottinger (Wairarapa) Achilles II.

Two noticeable absentees from the line-up are defending champion Angela Lloyd (Auckland) with Song and current ESNZ Eventing Super League leader Matthew Grayling (New Plymouth).

A huge field of 19 is down to contest the CIC2*, while 32 will line up in the Saddlery Barn CIC1*. Competition will also be tough across the lower levels with record numbers to compete in the Hei Hei Pharmacy CNC105, Clarke McKenzie CNC95, and Rangiora Vet Centre and Canterbury Equine Clinic CNC80.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the number of entries, particularly in the National Championship classes. We’ve got a large number of competitors travelling from outside Canterbury, including a strong contingent from the North Island which is really pleasing to see,” says Event Director Bruce Taylor.

In total, more than 160 horses from throughout New Zealand will compete across two days of action. Dressage and show jumping will take place on tomorrow (November 8) with the cross country on Sunday (November 9).

This is just the second time the National One Day Event Championships have been held in the South Island, the first being last year, since it was hosted by the Ashburton Area at Surrey Hills in the mid-1990s.Next year its heads to Arran Station where it will be hosted by Central and Southern Hawkes Bay Eventing.

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