Eventing Southland held their first event for the season in brilliant sunshine at their picturesque Donovan Park grounds, and were well supported by riders, with 130 entries. The day started with thick fog blanketing the grounds but made for some stunning photos by Photographer Kristal Mack Saunders. It was particularly pleasing to see riders make the long trip south from Canterbury and everywhere in between.

The AB Lime CNC 2*class attracted a small but competitive field and Dressage Judges, Lyn Fox and Suzanne Inglis, found it hard to separate them with Melissa Wallace and Dunurban Maotai coming out on top in this phase by the barest of margins.  All riders handled John Carmicheal’s cross country well, with Janelle Gibson and King Curtis being the fastest cross country. Graham Tippett’s show jumping course proved influential, resulting in Janelle and King Curtis taking the honours with a score of 45.1.

The Saddlery Warehouse CNC 1* class was a very competitive class with many combinations stepping up to this grade for the first time. Lilly Anderson and her lovely Victory Hawk led all the way and took home the spoils on a score of 40.1, with Elizabeth Wylaars and Wairoa Renegade on 44.1 and Paige Hardwick on Versailles on 49.6 coming in 3rd place.

Lilly Anderson was in the winner’s circle again in the Bomber Bits CNC105 class on her big chestnut Redwood, once again leading from the outset to finish on a score of 35.2 closely followed by Hollie Kooman on her new mount After Dark on a score of 35.2 and Siobhan Hazlet and Just Ted 3rd on 43.2.  Siobhan and Ted were the only combination in this class of 16 to finish on their dressage score.

The Konica Minolta CNC 95 class was won by Lauren Enright and Tygra with an excellent score of 19.9.  Ella Morshuis and Time Bandit prevailed in the Fouveaux Communications Pony Club 95 class.

Lara Coker and Superstition won the large Gail Richardson CNC 80 class and Ashleigh Todd and Apsley Woodys Image took out the Fouveaux Communications Pony Club 80 class.

The Eastern Physiotherapy CNC65 was won by Kerry Jordan and Daquiri and the Fouveaux Coomunications Pony Club 65 saw Ella Morshuis in the winners circle again with Mr Smarty Pants.