Woods Flies Through 3* Field to Take Lead at Kihikihi

By: Diana Dobson

Jessica Woods can barely believe that she and her beautiful horse Defies Logic are at the front of the Waipa Home of Champions CIC3* after a challenging cross country phase at the Kihikihi International Horse Trial today. 

The 22-year-old full time rider was the only one to go clear today, but gathered 27.6 time faults on her way home, moving her from last to first in a pretty starry field, with just the showjumping to come.

“It's a really good feeling,” she said, “but it's not over yet.”

Overnight leader Shelley Ross (Auckland) and Coleraine Coaltown had a run-out early in the course, to pick up 20 faults plus 36.4 time faults to drop to sixth place at the end of the day.
Abby Lawrence (Te Puke) and Pseudonym rode a stunning round, and were unlucky to pick up 20 penalties towards the end of the course, to see them sit in second place on 91.7.

Just behind them on 91.8 is Diane Gilder (Hamilton) on Your Attorney who picked up faults at the same fence, on their way to notching the fastest round of the day.

But Woods was aiming for a careful clear, and did just that.

“That is the biggest 3* I have done, and we have only just stepped up to that level together,” she said. “It was challenging for him, because he jumps so big, making it hard to make our turns, but he really listened to me today.”

Woods doesn't like to look at what the rest of the field is doing, rather just focus on her own plan. She is trained by Andrew Scott, Dannie Lodder, Debbie Barke and her parents Natalie and Paul Woods.

“The course out there rode nicely and was beautifully prepared,” said Woods, who is a member of the Equestrian Sports New Zealand talent development squad and is hopeful of making the senior NZ team for the Trans Tasman clash at Taupo next month.

Woods has had the horse two-and-a-half years, and brought him through from novice to 3*.
Amanda Pottinger (Hawke's Bay), daughter of Seoul team bronze medal winning eventer Tinks Pottinger, is dominating the Prestige Equestrian CIC2* field, leading on Just Kidding and sitting in third on Achilles II.

ESNZ high performance rider Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) and his bronze medal-winning team horse Orient Express is in second, 5.9 penalty points behind.
Pottinger says Just Kidding continues to improve as the season marches on, but she is pleasantly surprised it is him at the front of the field.

“Showjumping is not his strongest phase, but he has been improving, so we hope for the best. He is such a trier, but really, after his efforts today, anything is a bonus.”

She considers Archilles to be a very strong showjumper.

Four months spent in the UK last winter has had a huge impact on her.

“I was so lucky to spend time with in the yards of Sir Mark Todd, Lucy Jackson and Pippa Funnell, and attended the World Champs, four stars events Luhmuhlen and Burghley, and Aachen. I learnt and saw just so much.”

In the Horselands CIC1* Tayla Mason (Paraparaumu) on Sonidor leads over Claudia Wilson (Christchurch) on Citadelle, while Louise Mulholland (Taumaranui) on Mr McTaggart is at the front of the BetaVet CIC1*, with Abigail Long (Levin) and BMW Advokaat second.

The annual Kihikihi event has attracted 300 entries, who are competing throughout the grades. Also here are several top international judges, who rate the event as the best in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tomorrow is the final day of competition, with the showjumping deciding the winners.

Results -

Waipa Home of Champions CIC3*: Jessica Wood (Ohaupo) Defies Logic 86.5 penalty points 1, Abby Lawrence (Te Puke) Pseudonym 91.7 2, Diane Gilder (Hamilton) Your Attorney 91.8 3, Monica Oakley (Waipukurau) Fontain 95.3 4, Dannie Lodder (Papakura) Tomahawk II 104.1 5, Shelley Ross (Auckland) Coleraine Coaltown 107.7 6.

Prestige Equestrian CIC2*: Amanda Pottinger (Masterton) Just Kidding 43.8 1, Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) Orient Express 49.7 2, Amanda Pottinger (Masterton) Achilles II 52.7 3, Sarah Dalziell (Wairarapa) Benrose Super Star 53.7 4, Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata) Mr Hokey Pokey 59.3 5, Sarah Young (Tokoroa) Regal Romar 60.9 6.

Horselands CIC 1*: Tayla Mason (Paraparaumu) Sonidor 50.2 1, Claudia Wilson (Christchurch) Citadelle 51.1 2, Elise Edwards (Te Kauwhata) Quantico 57 3, Kari Wratten-Lowe (Tauranga) Nip and Tuck 58 4, Stephanie Vervoort (Hamilton) X Factor 61.5 5, Brooke Campbell (Albany) Freddy Dash 62.7 6.

BetaVet CIC1*: Louise Mulholland (Taumaranui) Mr McTaggart 51.8 1, Abigail Long (Levin) BMW Advokaat, Samantha Mynott (Warkworth) WPS Tonka and Nick Brooks (Cambridge) Striking 52.2 =2, Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) LV Elf 54.2 5.

Wade Equine CNC1*: Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) In Disguise 26.6 1, Sofie Boswell (Auckland) Southwood Port Royal 36 2, Jeffrey Amon (Murupara) My Silver Lining 38.2 3, Jessie Fitzjohn (Christchurch) What's the Buzz 39.4 4, Sophie Wilkinson (Kaukapakapa) Hurlingham Lansong 39.6 5, Sarah Saint Merat (Maungatepere) Skibbereen 40.5 6.

DomHealth CNC105 – 21 Years and Under: Shelby Davys Olsen (Hamilton) Final Wishful 30.4 1, Paige Harris (Tauranga) Rainbow Impulse and Fenella Carter (Kerikeri) Lightning 30.6 =2, Sophie Alexander (Kumeu) World Famous 32.7 4, Kate Herdson (Auckland) Miss Matilda and Tait Wilson (Hamilton) Patrone 32.8 =5.

Vosper Law CNC105 5 and 6 Year olds: Cherie Jaques (Otorohanga) Black Gem 29.1 1, Jeffrey Amon (Murupara) JA Candy Girl 34.1 2, Samantha Mynott (Warkworth) Rememberance II 34.2 3, Chanel Campbell (Auckland) Astek Guardsman and Todd Gloyn (Palmerston North) Titus 34.6 =4, Andrea Kite (Katikati) Ginger Kiss 38.3 6.

Magnum Industries CNC105 Amateur: Chloe Van Den Boorn (Auckland) Mirror Bella Molly 22.6 1, Karley Norton (Waimauku) Donatello MH 29.5 2, Elsa Wrathall (Cambridge) Vincitore 30.2 3, Cassie Hodder (Te Awamutu) Schiavo 30.9 4, Juliette Condie (Rotorua) Guide to the Galaxy 31.3 5, Alex Anderson (Taupo) Danherz 31.9 6.

PGG Wrightson CNC105: Sim Kann (Te Awamutu/Australia) Luminous 28.7 1, Summer Phillips (Auckland) Ferro 28.9 2, Nick Brooks (Cambridge) Lexington 29.6 3, Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) Astrolabe 32.4 4, Catherine McGiven (Waharoa) Scuba 35 5, Melissa Armit (Cambridge) Barrington 36.5 6.

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