By Sally Reid
Photography: Pegasus Communications and ESNZ
Eventing championships for both North and South Islands were held recently in New Zealand, with long-format titles, a Young Event Horse Championship, and a separate competition for five- and six-year-olds in the South. In the North, where horse and rider numbers are much stronger, there were short-format four-, three- and two-star titles on offer.
The National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island in Christchurch was the venue for the South Island championships, which took place in early October. A four-star competition was scheduled, but the sole entry – Shaw Lee xx (Le Palliard xx x Prized xx) was unable to compete as his rider, Emily Cammock, was injured.
CCI3*-L won by Anonymous
This title was won by the super-handsome Hanoverian gelding Anonymous (Anamour - Morning Star xx x Classic Fame xx), bred by Linda Hunt, owned by Raewyn Lawrence and ridden by Abbey Lawrence. Anonymous, who is now 13, recently won the CCI3*-S at Taupo, and, despite having had a 20-month break from competition due to injury, has started his new season in seriously good form. He was also the winner, as an 11-year-old, of the CCI2* at Puhinui and the two-star at HOY. His sire Anamour (Aalborg x Lombard) is a legend here and better known for dressage progeny, but has certainly had an impact on eventing too; five-star international competitor Henton Attorney General is a particular standout.
Wairoa Renegade (Euro Sport Centavos) finished second – out of a Thorougbred dam whose sire is ‘unrecorded’. This lovely 11-year-old mare is owned by the Robertson family and ridden by Cam Robertson. Like the winner, she was very fast and accurate across country. Her sire, Euro Sport Centavos, was the dominant stallion at the South Island event – see ‘Young Horse Championship’ for more information.
The 15-year-old Ka Pai Kiwi xx (Towkay xx - Real Bourbon xx x Alzao xx), who is also a mare, finished third. She was bred by Little Avondale Trust, is owned by Rebecca Thomas, and was ridden by Jordan Shrimpton. She was second in the CCI3-S at Christchurch in September, and ninth in the CCI3* at HOY in March. .. To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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