Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express at Sydney CIC WC, photo courtesy of Furdography (apologies for the recycled image but I struggled to get one out of NZ)
Only a showjumping disaster could have knocked Kiwi Clarke Johnstone from the top of the results at the NZ National 3DE Championships in Taupo, New Zealand. After being the only rider to go double clear on XC and having done so on both mounts, Clarke went into the jumping phase with a huge lead. His first placed mount KS Secrets was on 46.4, well ahead of Incognito who moved up from fourth pace after dressage to lie in second on 55.2, 8.8 penalties behind.
Third placed after XC was Bryce Newman on Bates Trademark on 62.3, giving Clarke a 15.9 and 7.1 lead going into the jumping. Even the most un-optimistic of commentators would consider that an almost unassailable grip on the lead. Perhaps a disaster on one mount but not two and given Clarke’s recent history, currently leader in the FEI Eventing World Cup Series after winning both Kihikihi and Sydney World Cup rounds only a few short weeks ago, I wouldn’t be placing any money on Clarke taking a single rail, let alone a string of them.
The final results ended with Clarke in first and second place after dropping a rail on both horses at the second to last fence. When I spoke to Clarke and asked him about the rails he admitted at that stage he knew he had won it and galloped at the fence on the first horse (Incognito) to take out the front rail of the oxer and then on Secrets held a little too long and took out the back.
What a way to top off six amazing weeks. Clarke was very excited by what has been a fairytale preparation for his relocation to the UK. Incidentally Clarke ships his five horses to the UK on Wednesday with his groom while he will travel separately to meet them at the other end.
After a couple of weeks rest they will start their European campaign at Salperton Park in late June after getting the horses and himself settled at the new barn with Pixie Thomas in Gloucestershire.
He has both KS Secrets and Incognito aimed for Burghley and Orient Express for Blenheim the following week. On the subject of Orient Express he traveled with the team this weekend so he didn’t miss out on a workout but was quite put out that he didn’t get to run around like the others and was NOT a happy pony.
Meanwhile, across the Tasman, Eventing Equestriad has produced a winner, Dressage results had Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot in the lead. Tim was looking for redemption following Sydney’s World Cup where he lead in the Dressage and then had a disastrous XC round with two glances off and a withdrawal from the competition. Cross Country was designed by South Australian Wayne Copping who loves to put on a show and with the new lake right in front of the Hospitality Marquee it was bound to be exciting.
The great news is that Tim and Billy Elliot held onto the lead to win against a highly competitive field. Tim was relieved to have gotten past Sydney and leading from start to finish is very gratifying. He has spent a lot of time in the last two weeks schooling over skinnies and corners and Billy Elliot who is still quite green rewarded those efforts today.
Tim was closely followed by Emma Mason and F1 Pharinelli who stormed up from eighth place after one of two double clears on XC and the only rider to finish on her Dressage score with 52.3 penalties. I know that Emma will be pleased to have done so well especially after her jumping let her down in Adelaide last year.
The final podium position was held by Christine Bates on Adelaide Hill, this combo moved up from fifth to third with one of the faster XC rounds. Looking at the results from both of the jumping phases time was very influential and very few managed to make it.
Well that is it from this side of the Pacific, only three weeks til the first big Aussie CCI where we will be heading to Melbourne (for me figuratively only but I will bring you the news). I will leave you with the most Dressage day highlights from Equestriad.
Yours in Eventing,
ESJ
