Eventing Canterbury’s Autumn 2018 season kicks off this weekend with its two-day horse trial.
Dressage and show jumping is taking place on Saturday 24th at Mcleans Island NEC, and cross-country on Sunday 25th at the Eyreton Pony Club grounds in North Canterbury.
Ex-cyclone Gita has provided some much-appreciated irrigation for the cross-country track and will have long cleared out by the time the event rolls around and 160-odd riders compete across the levels of CNC65 to CNC2*+.
They will be looking to notch a nice and smooth first run in preparation for the rest of the season, as well as hoping to collect points towards the various series culminating in April and May: the Eventing Canterbury and Mitavite Cool Crusada 2017/2018 Series, the Eventing Canterbury and Eventing Southland FEI South Island Series, and of course the ESNZ Eventing Series.
Ultimate Design and Renovation has sponsored the 2* level and there’s a good showing of entries for this time of year, with two combinations contending the CNC2*+ class and seven the CNC2*.
Sixteen competitors will battle it out in the Weatherbeeta CNC1*; 17 in the Saddlery Barn CNC105 while 15 in the Saddlery Barn CNC105 U21; 10 in the Equissage CNC95 while 30 in the Equissage CNC95 U21; 19 in the Melwood Equestrian CNC80 while 28 in the Melwood Equestrian CNC80 U21; and 18 in the CNC65 class.
The Eventing Canterbury committee wishes to extend a warm welcome to competitors, volunteers, officials and spectators, and an earnest thank you to the sponsors of the event for their generous support of equestrian sports.
Photo credit: Sophie Simson Photography.