Looking back at the past decase, although top honours in the major (four-star) class have been won for the past three years by Thoroughbreds, a New Zealand Sport Horse gelding (with a lot of Selle Français blood), was the winner in 2017: Tresca NZPH (Fuego du Prelet x Barbarian). A New Zealand Warmblood mare, Star Nouveau (Goldstar KWPN x Fiesta Star xx) won in 2015 and 2016; and Balmoral Sensation (Senator VDL - Aberzanne x Aberlou xx), a New Zealand Warmblood gelding, was 2014’s winner. Henton Executive (Escudo I - Delphi x Distelfink), a Hanoverian, won in 2013; a Kaimanawa-TB cross, Pioneer Makokomiko, in 2012, and another Hanoverian, Henton Attorney General (Anamour - Delphi x Distelfink), in 2010.

Henton Lodge has not only bred two winners in the past decade, but both are from the same dam. Delphi was bred by Bernie Maubach, and has had three other full siblings to Henton Attorney General. These are promising nine-year-old eventer Henton Ambassador, the dressage horse Henton Armani, and a six-year-old mare, Henton Abstract Art. The stud has retained ownership of this lovely youngster, who is just setting out on her eventing career.

Two of these Puhinui winners, Henton Attorney General and Balmoral Sensation have gone on to prove their worth internationally. Balmoral Sensation won the Adelaide International 3DE in 2017, finished fifth at Badminton in 2016, and was the highest-placed New Zealand horse at the Rio Olympics (sixth). He has the blood o

Henton Attorney General won Boekelo in the Netherlands in 2013; he also won at Blair Castle and was second at Houghton Hall in England. His sire, the Hanoverian Anamour (Aalborg - Lucille x Lombard) is a stallion whose contribution to breeding here, particularly for dressage, cannot be exaggerated. You will see his name several times in the pedigrees of the 2020 placegetters mentioned below. He was bred at Zuchthof Bosch in Germany, and was from Stamm 1189109, Schridde 439. He stood at Bilbar Lodge in New Zealand and the year he died was ranked 31st on the WBFSH top-100 stallion list.

Now for latest batch of Puhinui winners and placegetters.

Thoroughbreds on top in four-star

The CCI4*-L was won by Artist xx (Guillotine xx -Maxamore xx x Volksraad), who was bred by Windsor Park Stud. He is owned by Monica Oakley and Mary Petersen, and ridden by Oakley herself. This lovely gelding won the three-star at Puhinui last season, and was second in the HOY 3*.

Last year’s winner, Aces High xx (Another Warrior xx -My Fairytale xx x King Ivor xx) finished second. He is ridden by Clarke Johnstone who co-owns him with his parents, Rob and Jean Johnstone... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber

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