Equestrian: Newman claims lead in three-day event

11.00am

Bryce Newman was pleased with his cross-country and endurance run on Greer Drinkrow's Bates Inishturk at the Auckland three-day equestrian event at Puhinui Reserve today.

Clear inside the time over the 5610m, 31 obstacle track left the pair in front going into the final show jumping phase of the three star class.

Helping Newman's cause was the Australian overnight leader Christopher Burton and Deo Juvante dropping out of contention with a refusal at the water.

After 18 months, Newman and his horse seem to have regained their partnership and could be candidates for an Olympic berth in Athens next year.

Australian rider Sammi McLeod was in second place on Black Odyssey after a clear jumping round picking up only 2.4 time penalties.

Possibly the biggest grin of the day belonged to Kate Hewlett from Kerikeri who rode Jocelyn Bayly's warmblood stallion internet to third place with a clear round inside the time, also at their first crack at this level.

Kate Lambie and Nufarm Sabotage were clear to retain their lead in the two star trial, while there was no change at the top of the CIC* novice class, with young Portia Wilson and Antric clear to keep their lead.

Results:

CCI*** B. Newman (Bulls) Bates Inishturk 39.8 1; S. McLeod (AUS) Black Odyssey 41.8 2; K. Hewlett (Kerikeri) internet 46.6 3; S. Tinney (AUS) Carrera 48.8 4; O. Bunn (AUS) GV Danzar 49.6 5. CCI** K. Lambie (Brookby) Nufarm Sabotage 54.6 1; A De Luca Oliveira, Clifton Checkers 55.2 2; H. Tompkins (New Plymouth) Bozton 56 3; J. Dineen (Lyttleton) Oniwa 58.8 4; K. McNab (AUS) Portrait 62.8 5.

CIC*: P. Wilson (Drury) Antric 41.3 1; B. Newman, Bates Our Questionnaire 43.1 2; W. Felton (Whitford) Flyway 45.4 3.


- NZPA