Eventing: Mr Hokey Pokey delivers the right flavour

EARLY LEADERS: Hawke's Bay's Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding led after the dressage but retired during the cross-country stage. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

The diminutive DSE Mr Hokey Pokey delivered for Donna Edwards-Smith during the weekend's national eventing championships at Takapau.

This combination retained their overnight lead at the Silver Fern Farms Arran Station to win the 60th edition of the Forest Gate Trophy by a decisive 12.3 penalty margin.
Second after the dressage with a score of 44.7 penalties in the Red Snap'r CIC3* class, they took the lead with one of only three clear showjumping rounds inside the time, and consolidated their position with a polished crosscountry performance incurring 16.8 time penalties.

Hawke's Bay's Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding led after the dressage with a test that delighted her, but two showjumping rails down and a time penalty dropped them to second place overnight. Two uncharacteristic stops at the entry to the water saw Pottinger retire, the horse having had a recurrence of a back problem caused by a new saddle.

This opened the door for Young Rider champion Jackson Bovill and his mare Visionnaire, who were third after the dressage, dropping to fourth after a clear showjumping round but incurring four time penalties, and jumping clear across country with 19.6 time penalties, to finish second.

Virginia Thompson and Star Nouveau pulled up from sixth after the dressage, showjumping clear with three time penalties, and going clear across country with 14.8 time penalties, to finish third. Chris Ross's beautifully presented cross-country course drew much admiration, with six of the 12 starters going clear, the only elimination being for missing a fence.

The Oaklane Stables Chaff CIC2* for the Waiteko Trophy was won by Ashleigh McKinstry on Pioneer Brass Monkey, who led after the dressage, dropped to second after showjumping with a rail down, but regained the lead with a clear cross-country round inside the time. Madison Crowe was second on Waitangi Pinterest, adding just two cross-country time penalties to their dressage score.

Jessica Woods and LV Balou Jeanz won the Equissage CIC1* Championship for the Ferndale Salver after leading from go to whoa, ahead of Greer Caddigan and Gymnastik Showdown who were second throughout. This was a keenly contested class of 29 starters, all but two completing.

The Mitavite CNC105 Championship was won by Jordie Watson riding Meersbrook Viva La Vida, ahead of Tayla Mason and Waimanu Highlights, both of whom finished on their fifth and seventh placed dressage scores respectively. Chris Lever's cross-country tracks for the 1* and 105 championships were inviting for the competitors, most of whom were well qualified to meet the challenges asked of them.