Large fields for eventing trials

The teams challenge adds a bit of excitement to the competition. Jan Wood, Eventing Northland Eventing Northland are gearing up for their annual Spring Horse Trials at Barge Park Showgrounds this weekend, where more than 270 entries will contest various classes.
"That's more than we have had in the past few seasons which is pleasing," Eventing Northland spokesperson Jan Wood said.
Contestants from as far south as Waikato and from all over Northland will contest the dressage and showjumping disciplines tomorrow followed by cross country on Sunday, on a course designed by international designer Tich Massey from Auckland.
Massey will be assisted by local riders Megan Finlayson and Denise Lincoln.
"They are candidate course designers and are heading for national designer status ... but we like to have someone with international experience such as Tich to design the course, and also check that our locals are on the right track.
"Tich has designed courses for us in the past," Wood said.
The pre-training to intermediate classes will both be tussling it out over the weekend, but all eyes will be on the fiercely contested intermediate class, Wood said.
Juliet Wood and Lincoln are among the Northland riders vying for Waitangi Sport Horses $500 first place prize.
There is also the Dunstan Horse Feeds Teams Challenge this year, where the team of four riders with the best score at the end of the two-day trials will win $1000.
The Eventing Northland Spring Horse Trials get under way tomorrow at Barge Park.
Dressage is up first, starting at 8.30am and will be followed by showjumping from 11.30am and will go until approximately 5pm.
On Sunday, the first riders will set off on the Cross Country course, from 9am and the two-day trials should be wrapped up by 4pm.