2010 New Zealand Endurance National Championships
Jenny Champion and Freckles
2nd place in the
the Tru Test CEI3* 160km
Sue Reid and Makahiwi Achillies
Winners and BC of the
Tru Test CEI3* 160km
Kevin Prangley and WD Amir Ibn Kaliph
7th in the Tru Test CEI3* 160km
The 3rd 100 Mile buckle for this pair
Raewyn Carter and Maioro Fire
Winners of the
MapWorld CEI2* 120km
The Tru Test CEI3* 160km
Braden Cameron and SS Shadrak placed 9th
Marie Finlay and Glendaar Phoebe placed 12th
Melanie Barker and Arahi Real Purpose vetted
out lame
Story and Photos by Sandie MacLean
The Canterbury Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Club set up ride base in a picturesque area at the foothills of the Southern Alps, which run down the central region of the South Island.
With a clear and well-lit night the Tru Test CEI3* 160km commenced with a field of 24 combinations. The loop distances were 32, 32 (repeat of Loop 1), 34.7, 29, 16.5 and 16.5kms (repeat of Loop 2). The track certainly had a variety of terrain and varying altitudes, which provided a reasonable amount of work and opportunity for things to go wrong which meant that riders needed to be mentally focused on their ride ahead. Whilst cool overnight the temperatures rose to the high 20’s which is seasonally warm for the area particularly as the country heads from Autumn into Winter.
With the event underway the initial drama commenced with the defending 160km National Champion 2009, Mark Tylee riding Class Act coming to grief at the first vet gate in an unexpected Metabolic vet out. Eventual triumphant National Champion was Susan Reid aboard Pip Mutch’s horse, Makahiwi Achilles in a ride time of 10:14:42. Averaging 15.62km/h over the race reflects the work involved for the pair who was in the front running from the beginning. The fourth loop became notorious as the tough loop however Reid relished it as her horse thrived on the terrain and enabled a safe lead to be established.
Reid was closely challenged for the top placing by Jenny Champion and Freckles who safely vetted through to secure second place. Champion displayed a solid performance, which no doubt will place the combination in good stead for the NZ WEG selections.
Although only on Loop 5 Kevin Prangley and the exotic bay Arabian Stallion, WD Amir Ibn Kaliph managed to keep the company of Tessa Deuss on Samson II and Sarah Hamer on Diam’id who were vying for 3rd and 4th on loop 6. Samson II certainly looked bright and energetic as he crossed the line in third but sadly failed the final vetting with lameness. This allowed Diam’id to absorb the 3rd placing ahead of stablemate Hills Of Mist who dropped down to 6.71km/h on the second to last loop and below 10km/h on the last loop to finish with a lucky 6th placing.
Fourth placing went to stablemate of Freckles, Taralea Sheer Illusion ridden by Shane Dougan who will also be pleased with the result not only personally but in respect of the WEG selections. Dougan rode in the NZ WEG Team in Aachen in 2006. Alison Higgins and Elhaz Ride The Wind achieved fifth place and also qualified for selection for WEG, Higgins’s second qualified combination. Not such a brilliant finish to their season for Kylie Avery and Silands Mia Bella who vetted out lame after Loop 4, the famous tough loop. Avery was in good company however with Phillip Graham and Wolfgang Amadeus, Teresa Birkett and Makahiwi Genoa and Melanie Barker and Real Purpose all taken out lame after the taxing 29km loop.
The icing on the cake came with a lovely display at the Holly Farm Equestrian Services Best Conditioned judging which the new National Champion Makahiwi Achilles also won.
Also running on the same day was the Zilco CEIJY2* 127km event which unfortunately only drew 3 entries. Australian, Angela Head on CD Fred and also Australian Ingrid Ambrosuissen on CD Proud Mary lead with speed from the line leaving the only other entry Ariana Ranui and Karim NZL to endure the 127km riding solo. There were four loops consisting of 32, 32, 34.7 and 29km. Head won the ride in 11:34:54 (& Best Conditioned) with stablemate CD Proud Mary second. A courageous effort from 14 year old Ranui was quashed as the realisation dawned they would not make the maximum time so with 12kms to go they withdrew from the course and passed the final vet check.
Saturday was the busiest day with the Zilco CEI1* 101km, Fresh Maps CEIJY1* 101km, Vetpro CEN 101km Junior, Lister/Showman CEN 82km Open, Southfuels CEN 82km Novice, Genetic Technologies 40km Open and Novice events.
The loops for all the 101km events were 32, 34.7, 34.7kms and started a few hours before dawn at 5am. The first two placed horses were both owned by the winning rider, Jennifer Worsfold who won uncontested riding Aquila Toby in a ride time of 5:43:52. Robyn Marshall on Chandalla Chiffon accompanied them for second place. Less than 15 minutes later Chris Musson and Connie finished well ahead of next placegetters Caroline Barber on Golden Shelter Tai Sharn. Connie who is owned by Christine King took out the Zilco Best Conditioned Award much to their teams delight.
The CEIJY1* 101km division was won by Leanne Ireland and Alshar Blue Levi in a time of 6:20:33. They also took out the Wairau Covers Best Conditioned Award. Of the 8 starters, 5 qualified in the event. Another Junior event was run over the 100kms which was won by Jorja James and Glenvaar Kit Kat one second ahead of her half sister Brigitte James riding Fahana. Charlotte Wadsworth on Kishon Zivana and Brigitte Smith on Craig Royston Melba sadly fell prey to the conditions and vetted out lame. Smith’s sister also went out on a Metabolic vet out in the 1* event.
The Lister/Showman Best Conditioned award went to the winner of the Open 82km event who was Sue Parkes on Cash, the only entrant. The other CEN events ran smoothly.
A 2am start to the Mapworld CEI2* 127km event revealed the hot weather from the two previous days was just a memory as the temperature dropped and the drizzle set in. The entries numbered 18 in this event and the field stayed within close proximity as the day wore on. It was anyones guess and certainly the crowd came out from their rain shelters to witness the much anticipated gallop finish. This was not to be however as Deidre Bartlett on Craig Royston De Luxe made a clear lead to finish alone. A crushing blow was dealt when Bartlett was vetted out lame, something Raewyn Carter was not to realise when she cross the line shortly after. Carters horse Maioro Fire came up with the goods to take out the top spot. Some twenty minutes later Jessica King and Wishum place second followed by two WEG qualified combinations. Third Debby Worsfold on Northwinds Bradley McGregor and Alison Higgins and Twynham El Omar in fourth. There were 13 successful completions in this event.
The event was honoured to welcome riders from Australia, Chile and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Another part of the weekend run Sunday was the 2010 NZ National CTR Championships which was segregated into 3 divisions; Norlings Open 60km, CRT Intermediate 32km and Duzz All Beeswax Junior 32km event. The National Champion Open winner was Heidi Bulfin riding Stonelea Sparkling Rose out of a class of four. The National Champion Intermediate winner was the unbeatable Nicki Barton and Benhaven Gin Flint with a phenomenal 44 points. The National Champion Junior winner was Tessa Wells on Masada Park Maestro, Ciara Rayne on Arwen Windward 2nd and Ariana Ranui on Karim NZL 3rd.
With the NZ National Endurance Championships now behind us the NZ Endurance season is coming to a close with only a few rides left on the calendar.
Photo Gallery by Sandie MacLean and FotografixNZ
 Zilco Best Conditioned award in the Annandale CEI1* 100km |
 winners of the Freshmap CEIJY1* 100km and the Wairau Covers Bext Conditioned award |
 Ariana Ranui & Karim NZL Ciara Rayne & Arwen Windward |
 Fancy 2nd in the CRT CTR 32km Intermediate Championship Ride and winner of the Best Presented award in all the CTR divisions |
 winners of the Annandale CEI1* 100km |