Eventing: Tough end to season expected

Abby Lawrence and Pseudonym clear a fence at the Kihikihi International Horse Trials. Photo/Barbara Thomson

The New Zealand eventing season culminates on 16-18 May 2013 when the national titles are decided at the NRM National Three Day Event at Taupo.

In contention in the Super League standings is Abby Lawrence, 24, who has lived in Te Puke for 17 years.

She has had a strong season with her horse Pseudonym, who is known by her pet name Prickle. He is a 15-year-old, black, warmblood gelding Lawrence has ridden for nine years.

"Prickle sustained a bad injury a few years ago that was potentially career-ending so this season we started out quietly with the goal to get him back into top form," Lawrence said.

"It has been a rebuilding season for him but he has gone really, really well. He has had a couple of really good top three placings and then jumped really well at Horse of the Year and even better at Kihikihi a few weeks ago."

At the BNZ Kihikihi International Horse Trials, Lawrence and Pseudonym finished fourth on what is regarded as the toughest course in New Zealand. It was their best performance at this level, to move dramatically up the Super League table.

Lawrence is realistic about their chances of winning at Taupo in the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

"Taupo is always a tough track. It is a John Nicholson-designed course and he is a phenomenal course builder so you know it is always going to be a mental and a physical challenge, but you know it is going to be fair. His courses usually reward the honest, bold horses. It is a very strong field with some great horses and great riders in the class. Honestly I don't think you can pick the winner at this stage."

Lawrence is focusing most of the training Taupo on getting Pseudonym in peak fitness for the season-ending event.