Penny Queen of the Castle

Hometown hero Penny Castle leads a classy field heading in to the final day of the Bates New Zealand Dressage Championships tomorrow.

Ashburton’s Penny Castle on Gymstar One was a clear winner in today’s CDI*** FEI Grand Prix test, finishing on 64.23%, with one of the few clear rounds of the day. However, always a serious threat, Taranaki’s Vanessa Way and KH Arvan are nipping at her heels on 62.83%.

The remainder of the field was packed together with less than two percent separating the following six competitors. Louisa Hill and Bates Antonello took third place with 61.95% despite a course error, and Nicky Pope and Fabarchie just a fraction of a percent behind on 61.51%.

Demonstrating some lovely soft passage work, Sally Isaac and Vincent St James sit in fifth place on 60.85%.

Performing today in front of five judges, including three international judges, Castle pulled off a solid test with plenty of energy and power.

“He really stayed with me and gave it his all today,” says Penny. “He’s a horse with a great heart and a great attitude. It was a magic test.”

Tomorrow night’s musical freestyle test will determine the overall National Champion, with Castle sitting in pole position at this stage. However as today’s tightly clustered results showed, this class of 13 Grand Prix riders boast plenty of combinations capable of mounting a serious challenge.

In the National Grand Prix class, the win went to Charlott Bayliss with Aloof, in just their third show at this level. Charlotte Wall and Pemberley Condor took second place, followed by Wendy Hamerton and Pot of Gold for third.

The Advanced level scoreboard reads like a who’s who of some of New Zealand’s most experienced riders. Kallista Field and Waikiwi FE took the win on 66%,  but there’s no room to relax with Christine Weal and her new ride Spielzeit second on 65.895, Wendi Williamson and Cortaflex Watergate on 65.36% and Jody Hartstone and Donnerwind 5 on 64.42%. Also flexing their muscle at this level is Anna McIntyre and Maple Thorpe and Abbie Deken and KH Ambrose.

It doesn’t come any closer than in today’s CDIY Young Rider Individual class, with just one percent separating the top three placegettings. A course error cost National Young Rider champion Kate Welten dearly, dropping her to third place, with Kelly Van Dyk taking both first and second place with a lovely expressive test on Wolhkahn to win, just ahead of her second ride on Marceau.

Level five win today went to the on-form Ashleigh Williams and Papanui Don Juan, less than half a percent ahead of Tracey Johnson and Apollo 4.

Continuing their domination at this level all season, Vanessa Way and KY Arawn took the Level 4 win a clean three percent of nearest rival Kylie Baker and Woodsbee.

It was well worth the trip for South Islander Anya Durling and her starry young horse Rosari Guest Star, winning the Level three test ahead of Vanessa Way and KH Allandro.

Starry young horses set the pace at Level two; Anna McIntyre’s Cavort winning from Wendi Williamson’s Cortaflex Dejavu MH.

Sharlene Storey and Don Zonani walked away with the win in the Level 1 test, with Kieryn Walton and Silver Reef RE in second place.

Story: Lisa Potter