Posted April 18, 2006

Eventing Hat Trick for Matthew Grayling

Matthew Grayling was the eventual winner for the third year in a row in the New Zealand Qualifier for the FEI Eventing World Cup, the feature class of the Mitavite Horse Trial at Kihikihi. Grayling and NRM Gordon showed what a class combination they are in taking out the this title again having also won in 2005, while Grayling also won the inaugural event on Revo in 2004.

New Zealand Selectors attended the event and Grayling was determined to show the selectors that he and NRM Gordon are well on track to achieve qualification to represent New Zealand in the upcoming World Equestrian Games in Germany in August this year. The weekends performances in all three phases will have helped their cause.

The showjumping course designed by Trevor Gregory was a true test of the showjumping skills and had an influence through-out the class. Graying and NRM Gordon knocked one show jump rail and added 4 penalty points to finish on 63.1. Second place getter Kate Wood on Staccato also dropped one rail to end up with 73.1 so the difference remained at 10 points. Annabel Wigley and Black Drum had a clear round and moved up from 4th after cross country into 3rd place.

Local rider Chelsey Hawthorn on Look At That knocked two rails to drop from 3rd after cross country to 5th place,to the disappointment of the home crowd as the small size of Look At That certainly makes him a crowd favourite.

International Judge and former Australian Olympic medalist Gillian Rolton said the venue had excellent facilities and rated this event as one of the best in the world . She believed that the cross country track was techically correct, superbly designed and with the ground conditions so perfect it consequently rode brilliantly.She added "I would love to bring a team of Australian riders to compete here next year." Grayling also felt the cross country course was a real international test but rode very well.He added "I love coming to Kihikihi".

The Two Star Class was won by Kirsten Kelly on Sooty the Sweep with no penalties added after the dressage phase, on 54.7. Second was Lucy Jackson and Mystery Creek on 56.1 and Andrea McFarlane and Spectacular Ways were third on 57.3. The Two Star Judges, Anne Tylee and Errol O'Brien had a large class of riders and both felt that the top ten place getters had performed very well through-out all phases which is promising for the sport as these may well be the contenders for the next World Cup.

Novice Classes were won by Judith Williams on Little Twinks, Bryce Newman on Santarae and Glen McQuarters on Double the Trouble.