Eventing: Johnstone Triumphs at Kihikihi

Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation during the showjumping segment at Kihi Kihi. Photo/Jane Thompson

Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation won their final start on New Zealand soil before heading offshore to campaign for the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina in September, taking the top title at the National Eventing Championships at Kihikihi last weekend.

They led the Waipa Home of Champions CIC3* from the dressage phase, adding 5.6 time penalties on John Nicholson's cross country course, and showjumping clear over Gerrit Beker's course, to take the Forest Gate Trophy for the second time, having won it in 2015 before going overseas to prepare for the Rio Olympics.

"He came out fresh this morning, and was spooking at the photographers in the arena, so he's still enjoying his job," Johnstone said afterwards.

The 13-year-old warmblood gelding by Senator VDL certainly looked a picture. David Goodin, who bred and started the horse as a showjumper, and follows his career proudly, was at Kihikihi to watch.

"I'm very happy he is where he is, he's in very good hands," Goodin said.

The horse is scheduled to fly to England on June 4, with competitions planned at Arville in Belgium and Aachen in Germany before the team is named for the World Equestrian Games. Although he will not compete at the NRM National Three-day Event at Taupo next month, "Ritchie" will remain in work to ensure he is fully fit before travelling in case of any interruptions to his preparation.

Matangi's Johnstone was pushed all the way by runner up Donna Edwards-Smith of Te Kauwhata on DSE Tangolooma, a thoroughbred by Align (AUS) out of Hilda Hippo (USA). They were third of the 13 starters after the dressage, but moved into second place with the fastest time across country for 5.2 time penalties, and showjumped clear to put pressure on Johnstone, who needed to jump clear to win.

Edwards-Smith, who produced Balmoral Sensation to event when Goodin decided it was time to retire from showjumping, and from whom the Johnstone family bought the horse, joked after the cross country: "I'm hunting you down on your warmblood with my thoroughbred!" and she certainly never let up, saying as she left the showjumping arena, "I've done all I can now."

Cambridge solicitor Nick Brooks, runner up to Johnstone at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Eventing CIC3* on For Fame, at the horse's first 3* start, finished third overall, at their second 3* event. They pulled up from 11th after the dressage, added 11.2 cross-country time penalties, and showjumped clear with one time penalty, so have huge potential for the future.

Results:
Waipa Home of Champions CIC3* (Forest Gate Trophy): Clarke Johnstone, Matangi, Balmoral Sensation, 36.4, 1; Donna Edwards-Smith, Te Kauwhata, DSE Tangolooma, 39.9, 2; Nick Brooks, Cambridge, For Fame, 51.2, 3; Heelan Tompkins, Tirau, Snow Leopard, 52.4, 4.
Weatherbeeta CIC2* (Waiteko Trophy): Brooke Campbell, Auckland, Freddy Dash, 38.4, 1; Louise Mulholland, Ohura, Mr McTaggart, 41.4, 2; Matthew Grayling, New Plymouth, NRM Trudeau, 43.4,3; Kimberley Rear, Hamilton, Delta Legacy, 44, 4; Elise Power, Auckland, Arctic Cielo, 45, 5; Abbey Thompson, Te Kauwhata, Rockin It45.3, 6.
Wade Equine Coaches CIC1* (Ferndale Salver): Kelsey Leahy, Showcause, 31.6, 1; Dannie Lodder, Auckland, Lexington, 32.4, 2; Tayla Mason, Wellington, Centennial, 33.4, 3; Shannon Galloway, Hamilton, Day Walker, 33.5, 4; Sarah Young, Hamilton, Equador MW, 34.3, 5; Jeffrey Amon, Murupara, JA Candy Girl, 35.2, 6.
JLT Bloodstock CNC105 (Tait Trophy): Angela Lloyd, Hunua, Raucous, 29.4, 1; Jessica Woods, Ohaupo, Kings Soleil, 29.5, 2; Donna Edwards-Smith, DSE Sagacious, 29.8, 3; Kaitlyn Freeman, Otaki, Landisohn, 31.4, 4; Daniel Bitchener, Porirua, Mr Harlequin, 33.1, 5; Sophie Wilkinson, Taupo, Astek Gravitate, 33.9, 6.