Balmoral Sensation lived up to his name during the dressage
phase of the Puhinui three-day event in Manukau today.
Donna Smith's second ride in the advanced CCI*** class, the
exciting young horse showed just how good he is by taking an
8.6-point lead.
South Islander Annabel Wigley is in second place on NRM Frog
Rock, just in front of veteran Bryce Newman on Bates
Trademark.
However, in eventing, it's not over until the end of the
showjumping phase on the third day and, with fewer than 20
points between the highest and lowest placed horse after the
dressage, it could be anyone's competition.
While the weather was an improvement on the previous day, the
cold, windy conditions were not ideal for dressage. The rain
held of for the competitors in the CCI*** but no so for the
other classes.
Helensville's Shelley Ross on Coleraine Coaltown is leading
the CCI** from Sam Taylor. In the CCI*, international eventer
Clarke Johnstone on Vincent is leading the field with Chloe
Kennedy and Fraser King trailing.
Tomorrow's cross country day is all-important, and the Tich
Massey-built course promises to test the horses and riders.
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