Report supplied by Virginia Caro
Defending champions Carys McCrory and her 15-year-old thoroughbred Nemesis have retained the CCI4* title at the Taupo Equestrian Supplies NZ Three-Day Event, held at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Aratiatia, over the weekend.
Second after Friday's dressage, the pair took the lead on Saturday after producing the only clear cross-country round inside the optimum time on John Holmes' course. Despite lowering two rails in Sunday's showjumping, they won comfortably.
McCrory said she was pleased with the result ahead of an international campaign. "I'm very happy to have the qualifier, it's a good note to go away on. The first rail was a dumb decision and I think he was just tired at the third element of the treble. He tries every time, and gives me everything."
The pair also earned a qualifying score for 5* level competition. McCrory produced the gelding, formerly known as Royal Mystery, off the track, winning the Young Rider title with him in 2022. She is due to fly to England later this month, with the inaugural U25 World Eventing Championships at Millstreet, Ireland, in July her target.
South Islander Rebecca Wardle finished a distant second on Dingmac Eccles. Both riders recently represented New Zealand at the Oceania Championships in Adelaide, where Nemesis was again the only horse inside the optimum time on the cross-country.
Wardle led the South Island team, which also included Emily Cammock on Foxy Lady GNZ, Bonnie Farrant on Wild Flower, and Ciara Rayne on LV Royal Jake, to win the Silver Spurs Inter-island Team competition.
In the NRM CCI3*, Amanda James delivered an outstanding performance, finishing first on May B It's Maisie, second on DSE Mr President, and third on NRS Luna Corona. She had led after the dressage on a fourth ride, On The Cards, but the pair parted company on the cross-country. James also won the Fiber Fresh CCI2* class on CEO Xtreme, with Mia Cadwallader close behind on Sharvalley Wild Thing.
The Penny Homes CCI1* was taken out by showjumper-turned-eventer Paxton Kirkbride on Thornfield Rockafella.
The NZ Warmblood Association-sponsored Young Event Horse Championship went to five-year-old Christopher Robin VWNZ, bred and owned by Vicki Wilson and ridden by Kate Fleming. Amanda James placed second in that class on four-year-old Pacman SR, bred and owned by Sheena Ross.
