Kiwis Win Oceania Championships

Kiwis Win Oceania Championships

New Zealand’s senior eventing team broke a decade-long drought today when they won a hard-fought Oceania Championships at the Saddleworld Melbourne International Three Day Event.

Jock Paget (Taupo) and his former racehorse Angus Blue won the individual CCI3* crown, finishing on their dressage score of 46.9 penalty points, with Samantha Felton (Matangi) and Ricker Ridge Pico Boo second on 49.2, Ginny Thompson (Kaukapakapa) and Star Nouveau fourth on 53.1. All four of New Zealand’s Equestrian Entries Senior Team completed the event, while just two of the Australian team made it through to the showjumping, and Stuart Tinney and War Hawk the best of the team placing fifth on 53.6.

The Kiwis had an 18.2 penalty point buffer ahead of the Australians heading into the showjumping. Felton was also clear and inside time, with Thompson taking a single rail and adding two time penalties, and Andy Daines (Kumeu) aboard Spring Panorama adding nine to their tally.

Just five of the 18 combinations in the showjumping were clear and inside time.

For Paget, the victory was a very special one.

“It is special for lots of reasons,” said the London Olympian. “It was just great to ride with the other guys in the team and for me, a good way to come home.”

It is the first time he has even ridden in the Oceania competition.

And he was chuffed with his lovable Angus Blue.

“He really got up didn’t he,” he said of the nine-year-old horse who while is a New Zealand thoroughbred, moved back from the UK with Paget last year.

New Zealand team manager Eliza Riedel was ecstatic with the win.

“These results are a tribute to our performance programme and the work its leader Penny Castle has put into establishing it,” she said. “It is a credit to the team and those around them. The culture within the team throughout the whole campaign has been fantastic. Everyone has contributed to the result. It is just wonderful!”

Earlier in the day the Bombers Equestrian and Hidez NZ Young Rider Team finished runners-up behind the hosts in the Oceania Championships, with Abby Long (Levin) and Enzo sixth on 52.1 and Vicky Browne-Cole (Waiuku) aboard Eli eighth on 55.8 in just their fourth 2* completion. Gemma Tinney – daughter of Olympian Stuart – was the best of the Australian young rider team in second place aboard Annapurna on 45.7. Andrew Barnett and Bradgate Park Fonzie won the class, finishing on their dressage score of 41.9.

Young rider team trainer Jock Paget was very pleased with the efforts of his charges.

“It is looking good for the future, isn’t it? The showjumping today looked tough. There was a lot of jumping into the crowd and some difficult lines. The distances were tough enough and they couldn’t muck around with the time at all,” said Paget.

“I am very proud of the team. At an event like this, riding is only a small part.”

The riders had much more to contend with – from travel to a different environment and more.

“It all comes into play,” he said. “All of our riders showed great attitude the whole way through.”

He singled out Renee Faulkner (Papakura) who had had to withdraw Rubinstar HH before the cross country but had still be a key team player.

“She was right there for the rest of the team the whole way through, doing any job she could.”

While second wasn’t the result the team had crossed the Tasman for, Paget said he was very proud of how the youngsters had handled themselves throughout.

Twenty-eight of the 35 starters completed the three days of the CCI2*, with just seven going clear and inside time in today’s showjumping.

For full results, head to www.bspscoring.com .



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