Sam Taylor scores first win of new NZ season

      Sam Taylor and Leo Degas                                      Photo courtesy Annie Studholme

Swannanoa’s Sam Taylor posted a convincing win in the Eventing Canterbury CNC** aboard Leo Degas, to kick off the South Island eventing calendar in fine fettle at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, near Christchurch, today.

Braving wet conditions, Taylor and Leo Degas led from go to whoa, adding just 11.2 cross time penalties to their dressage score to take the win ahead of Sophie Wigley (Amberley) on former National Advanced One Day Champion, S. E Big.

Wigley was also to the fore in the hotly-contested CNC* aboard NRM Enzo, having picked up the reins from her sister Annabel, who is currently campaigning for a spot on the New Zealand team in England.

Wigley was lying second after dressage, moving up with a strong jumping performance to finish on a score of 35.6. Young riders filled the minor placings with Davina Waddy (Cheviot) second on Millburn Maringo on 36 and Ellie Braddock (Rangiora) on Miss Matilda third on 37.4.

Large entries at the lower levels saw the classes split with the Prebbleton Vet Hospital CNC1.05 classes going to Maria van Kuijk (Clarkville) Antara Whiskey Mac and Kirsten Beaven (West Melton) on RV Dreamcatcher with faultless performances, on a day where cross country time faults were aplenty.

The Bayer CNC 95 was won by Emily Cammock (West Melton) on Cavorts, with the Strategy T CNC 95 to Grace O’Sullivan (Rangiora) on Sports Café, while the two CNC 80 sections, sponsored by Saddlery Barn and McMillian Feeds respectively, went to Timaru’s Zoe MacClure and Abriele Morse.

The event marked the opening of the southern eventing season, and was also the first opportunity for riders to gain valuable points in the Massey University Young Rider, Alltech Junior Rider, AMS-Erreplus Pro Am and Weatherbeeta Grassroots series. It was postponed from last Sunday due to wind damage at McLeans Island.

 

RESULTS:
2 - CNC**: Sam Taylor (Swanaanoa) Leo Degas, 48.4, 1; Sophie Wigley (Amberley) S.E.Big 64.6, 2.

 

3 - CNC*: Sophie Wigley (Amberley) NRM Enzo, 35.6, 1; Davina Waddy (Cheviot) Milburn Maringo, 36, 2; Ellie Braddock (Rangiora) Miss Matilda, 37.4, 3; Lydia Truesdale (Christchurch) 38, 4; Amanda Brown (Ohoka) Glenmark, 43.1, 5; Giles Gormack (Amberley) Lucero, 43.5, 6.

 

4 A- Prebbleton Vet Hospital CNC 1.05: Maria van Kuijk (Clarkville) Antara Whiskey Mac, 35.5, 1; Cam Robertson (Rangiora) Black Ink, 39, 2; Todd Magner (Hokitika) Marsden Magic, 40, 3; Brent Jury (Cust) S.E Godswalk, 41.8, 4; Trinity St Guillaume (Aylesbury) Clifton Turtle Creek, 43.5, 5; Alex Meredith (Ohoka) 51, 6.

 

4 B - Prebbleton Vet Hospital CNC 1.05: Kirsten Beaven (West Melton) RV Dreamcatcher, 36, 1; Courtney Davis (Waipara) Dunrobin Santa Fe, 43, 2; Ebony Rae Ford (Cheviot) C.T Colorado, 43.6, 3; Grace O’Sullivan (Rangiora) Halcyon Motzart, 46, 4; Emma Hanna (Amberley) Milburn Molly, 52, 5; Phillippa Small (Timaru) Cascade Take A Chance 53.9, 6.

 

5 A - Bayers CNC 95: Emily Cammock (West Melton) Cavorts, 44.9, 1; Monique Arthur (Christchurch) Nyiiad, 51.9, 2; Dahlia Multhaup (Coalgate) Peter Pan, 52.7, 3; Kourtney Shore (Timaru) The Saliorman, 52.9, 4; Cassidy Ford (Cheviot) Rae of Sunshine 5; Courtney Mullen (Leeston) Wembleybrook Knochraha, 61.9, 6.

 

5 B – Strategy T CNC 95: Grace O’Sullivan (Rangiora) Sports Café, 31, 1; Brent Jury (Cust) S.E Back To Black, 33.5, 2; Todd Magner (Hokitika) Kawhaka Concorde, 38, 3; Colleen Marrett (Fairlie) Fredinski, 39.8, 4; Siobhan Flaherty-O’Brien () Rosa, 44.5, 5; Kerryn O’Sullivan (Rangiora) Designer Grace, 47.7, 6.

 

6 A – Saddlery Barn CNC 80: Zoe MacClure (Timaru) Rednalhgih Hayman, 31.5, 1; Jacqui Emslie (Christchurch) Corky, 32.6, 2; Emma Anderson (Cheviot) Ebony Angel, 35.3, 3; Tania Winchester (Cust) Nalou, 36.1, 4; Carly Powell (Timaru) The Friendly Ghost, 37.4, 5; Heath Macfarlane (Halket) Dolly, 47.2, 6.

 

6 B – McMillian Feeds CNC 80: Abriele Morse (Timaru) 37.9, 1; Charlotte Hill (Flock Hill) Polly, 40.8, 2; Jessica Kerr (Cave) Westwood Dalmar Ricochet, 42.4, 3; Maddie Searle (West Melton) Hermione Rose, 43,7, 4; Helen Pearey (Christchurch) Foxy Wink, 57.5, 5; Niamh Rayne (Darfield) Chandalla Ted E Bear, 59.8, 6.

Article by Annie Studholme