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Donna Smith leads Bell Tea 3* Eventing heading into final phase
Back to Article Searchby Virginia Caro
The Bell Tea CIC3* eventing competition at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings saw the dressage and showjumping phases at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds today (Friday), with the cross-country tomorrow at the Hawke's Bay Equestrian Park, where John Nicholson has set a challenging course for this Trans-Tasman selection trial.
The dressage leaders, Donna Smith, Te Kauwhata, on Balmoral Sensation, retained top spot despite having a rail down and seven time penalties, for an overnight score of 51.8 penalties. Lying second, Emily Cammock, Christchurch, and Dambala had two rails down and three time penalties for a total of 54.5 penalties, and also hold their place.
The showjumping saw all but one competitor incur penalties, this being Simon Gordon, Auckland, who produced the only clear round inside the time on Fletch.com, to pull up from ninth after the dressage to lie third overnight on his dressage score of 56.3 penalties. Smith holds fourth place on Sarah Varley’s Just Chocolate, having jumped a clear round but with nine time penalties for an overnight score of 62.3.
Young rider Ashleigh McKinstry, Taumaranui, on her part Kaimanwa, Pioneer Makokomiko, moved up to fifth place after having a rail down and four time penalties, winning the crowd over with his unique style, and taking 63.8 penalties into the cross-country.
