Jess Woods and her darling mare Just de Manzana are the well-deserved 2018 South Island One Day Event Champions.

The combination rode to a classy win in the Ultimate Design and Renovation CIC3* field of five, which included hot favourites and current NZ CCI3* champions Emily Cammock and Shaw Lee, who cruised around looking good ahead of defending their national title at Taupo in May.

At the completion of the dressage Woods sat just 1.4 points off the lead, in third, and after having one rail in show jumping versus dressage leaders Kirsty Sharapoff and Shoot the Breeze’s three time faults, remained a close 2.4 off the lead heading into cross-country. Woods’ superb clear round however, was the fastest of the day and propelled her to a convincing win of more than 10 points; rewarded with the Ataahua Brigadier Trophy.

FMG CIC2*
A strong field of seven contended the FMG CIC2*, but it was young rider Lucy Turner and Carbon’s faultless, double-clear performance that secured them the win and the Dusky Bay Cup to boot.

Runners up Courtney Davis and By Hoki also posted a commendable double-clear performance, and third place went to Giles Gormack and Lucero who added just four faults to their dressage score over the course of the weekend. 

DUNSTAN HORSE FEEDS CIC1*
Brent Jury claimed the quinella and the Pacific Vet Trophy in the process, in the Dunstan Horse Feeds CIC1*. Top honours went to his big chestnut and crowd-favourite, SE Hedging, who headed the field by a margin of almost 10 points.

Taking runners-up was his talented Kinnordy Gym Bello six-year-old SE Gorky Park, who has clocked some valuable mileage in the early stages of his career and looks to have a very exciting future ahead of him.

Making the podium again was Lucy Turner, this time placing third on Tarryn Jones’ Kemdale, who’s been yet another consistent favourite on the scene this season, whom Lucy has the ride on while Tarryn nurses a recent injury.

NATIONAL CLASSES
Anna Poole’s ever-consistent six-year-old mare has taken to Eventing like a duck to water, and produced an impressive double-clear to finish on their dressage score of 35.7 and win the Hei Hei Pharmacy CNC105 title. While Annabelle Jones and Braxton Boy posted a very solid performance, and led the Hygain CNC105 U21 class from start to finish.

The trip from the far south was certainly worthwhile for Lauren Enright. They led the BetaVet CNC95 from start to finish on their impressive sub-30 dressage score – the only combination in the class to do so – and in the BetaVet CNC95 U21 division it was Eloise Thomas and Albereco who claimed the win.

Larissa Srhoy has been dominating all season on her new ride Heads Will Roll, owned by Denise Youngman, and they produced a very pleasurable to watch win in the Melwood Equestrian CNC80; their dressage score of 24.4 – the lowest of the day – backed up with a double-clear jumping performance. Ginny McKenzie and Y-Puna Valiant Charger also led the Melwood Equestrian U21 division from start to finish, on their dressage score of 25.3.

In the grass-roots class of the competition, the Weatherbeeta CNC65, Claudia Faulkner and her six-year-old TB gelding Strate Shot were worthy winners in the field of 12.

SADDLERY BARN SOUTH ISLAND YOUNG EVENT HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP
Taking place on Friday before the commencement of the ODE was the Saddlery Barn South Island Young Event Horse Championship; a fine showcase of 20 sport-horse superstars of the future.

The 2018 SI YEH title went to Jess Woods and LV Encostalot, who were also awarded the Best 5 Year Old title as well as the NZ Racing Award for the top thoroughbred.

Second overall went to Kirstin Beaven on another TB, RV Di Caprio. Kirstin also took out Best Mare and third overall on Dolly NZPH.

Yet another TB, Dodge Royale, ridden by Brodie Roberts, finished fourth overall; fifth overall and also Best 4 Year Old went to Lauren Enright and Beaumont Cash; and sixth overall went to Emily Cammock and Y-Puna Fergie. 

SOUTH ISLAND 2017/18 SEASON SERIES’
The SI ODE marked the conclusion of several Eventing series that ran over the 2017/18 South Island event season:

Mitavite Eventing Canterbury 105-3* Series – won by Courtney Davis and By Hoki.

Mitavite Eventing Canterbury 65-95 Series – won by Claudia Faulkner and Strate Shot.

South Island FEI Series – won by Kirsty Sharapoff and Shoot the Breeze.

Full results from the competition can be found at www.equestrianentries.co.nz, and for the South Island series’, on Eventing Canterbury’s Facebook page.  

While the SI ODE concludes the South Island event season for 2017/18, the OC is looking forward to preparations for its 2018 SI 3DE in October, where it will unveil a brand new CCI3* track.

A sub-committee has been formed and tasked specifically with making the SI 3DE as spectacular event as possible as the premier event on the South Island event calendar, with the hopes that live streaming, product and produce markets, kids’ entertainment and more can be promised.

The Eventing Canterbury OC wishes to extend an enormous, heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors, officials, volunteers, riders and all others behind the scenes, who pull together to make these events, and the sport of Eventing, possible within Canterbury. They urge competitors to take the time to thank sponsors, officials and volunteers formally, so they continue to support our sport, and look forward to seeing everyone for another exciting, enjoyable season in 2018/19!