Record entries for horse trial

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32958, 3 July 1972, Page 3

Record entries for horse trial

Record entries were received for the fourth annual two-day event organised by the junior committee of the Canterbury area of the New Zealand Horse Society at Riccarton Racecourse, at the week-end.

On Saturday morning the dressage phase was completed in ideal weather, and the show jumping—over a long, testing course—took place in the afternoon. A large contingent from Southland performed well, many holding commanding positions at the end of the day. Leading in the open pony class by a substantial margin was R. Wood on Gaza, from J. Collet (Gore) on Felicity and F. Stewart (Gore) on Hi-Light. In the junior horse event, Mrs S. Sampson on Biggin Hill maintained her dressage lead from Mrs G. West on Dusky Bay and a Picton rider, Miss H. McGill, on Shamsi. Mrs S. Alleyne on Giltini won the dressage in the intermediate class from Gay Dunn on By Chance, who then took the lead when Giltini collected 10 penalties in the show jumping. A southern rider, S. Cooper, on Naseel held third place. Last year’s winner, Condor, ridden by I. Bell, again held a substantial lead from Mrs J. Hutton on Acapulco and the Southland combination of Mrs J. Lamb on Cody. Warm weather on Sunday drew a big crowd which saw some excellent jumping through the day. The cross-country course was inviting and well built, but perhaps might have been more testing for the open horses. In the pony section, most refusals occurred at the ditch before a post and rails fence which was not difficult. Gaza maintained her lead throughout with an excellent

steeplechase but with timefaults in the cross-country. Second place went to Felicity, with Miss A. Wightman on Gay Prince moving up to third place. Biggin Hill lost his lead to Dusky Bay which had a faster cross-country time in the junior horse event. Mrs A. Chaffey on Chabuswa moved up to third, with Shamsi fourth, and the top New Zealand show jumper, Cardiff Lass, ridden by B. Anderson, fifth.

The intermediate class saw Giltini win back his lead with a clear steeplechase round and only 12 penalties in the cross-country. By Chance was second, with C. Brodie on Donegal Tweed moving up to third. Open class In the open class all horses earned bonus points in the steeplechase phase which had nine fences over one mile and a half. Another feature was that no penalties occurred at any fence in the cross-country, although every competitor had time faults.

Mrs B. Blackie’s and I. Bell’s Condor maintained his lead to win the Atlantic silver stirrups from P. Letham on The Rock. Third place went to D. Letham on Anzac. This was a creditable effort for Condor, being his third successive win in the event.

The South Island president (Mrs Dailey) announced the two horses and riders to be sent to the Auckland threeday event in October. They are D. Letham on Anzac and R. McCall on Pegasus.