Eventing: Edwards-Smith takes year-long eventing league title

Taupo's Jock Paget and Angus Blue will be a key Kiwi combination during this week's Oceania Championships. Photo / www.takethemoment.co.nz

Te Kauwhata rider Donna Edwards-Smith and DSE Mr Hokey Pokey have won the year-long Equestrian Sport New Zealand Eventing Super League without having to compete in this week's final round in Melbourne.

The Saddleworld Melbourne International Three-day Event at Werribee Park starts tomorrow and is staged as part of the CIC3* at the Oceania Championships which end on Monday.

While Edwards-Smith can't be beaten and won't be competing, the remaining places are likely to change, with three of the four Equestrian Entries NZ Oceania team members well placed to move up the rankings.

Kaukapakapa's Virginia Thompson and Star Nouveau, who have been campaigning in NSW in the lead-up to the Oceania Championships, placed fourth in the CIC3* (short format) at Sydney three weeks ago, improving to second place in the Super League.

Matangi's Samantha Felton lies third with Ricker Ridge Escada, the National One-day Event champion, but has the option of two horses for the team.

She favours Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, who is further down the rankings, but by no means out of contention. Felton spent the 2016 spring season in Australia with both horses, and has been in stunning form since returning. Recently added to the team when Matangi's Clarke Johnstone withdrew Balmoral Sensation after he missed fitness work following a veterinary procedure, the non-travelling reserve Andrew Daines of Kumeu on Spring Panorama is fifth in the Super League.

The pair have also had Australian experience, having contested the Adelaide CCI4* last November.

The team will be led by recently returned Olympian, Jock Paget of Taupo on Angus Blue, the horse he brought back with him from the United Kingdon.

A 9-year-old New Zealand thoroughbred by Senor Pete, owned by Joe Giannamore, Paget had competed him at 3* level in the UK, placing second in their last start at Ballindenisk, Ireland, in September.

They were comfortable winners of the CIC3* (short format) at Taupo three weeks ago, when the squad horses had their final run before the championships.

Paget is pleased with the way he has acclimatised, having only started him twice before Taupo, saying, "He'll be quite nice in a couple of years, I think!"

It is a strong team even without Johnstone and "Ritchie", who were sixth and best of the Kiwi eventers at Rio. Thompson and Felton are previous members of the NZ Young Rider team, and Felton was a member of the 2015 senior team.

New Zealand has a proud record in trans-Tasman competition, having won 10 of the 16 biennial competitions contested in alternate countries since 1985.

The Young Riders, who compete at 2* level, have previously taken on their Australian counterparts in the years between the Seniors, but both Australian teams came to Taupo in 2015, and both New Zealand teams will go to Werribee this week.

It will be of huge benefit to the Young Riders, who also have a tremendous record, having won 10 of their 15 contests, to travel with and be mentored by the Senior team.

The Bombers Equestrian NZ & Hidez NZ Young Rider Team are also strong, with 20-year-old Abigail Long of Levin and Enzo, winner of the Mitavite Young Rider series and current National Young Rider champion, a member of the 2015 team.

The 2016 title holder and winner of the series, 20-year-old Jackson Bovill of Hamilton and his warmblood mare Visionnaire, who have been competing at 3* level this year, join her.

Papakura 19-year-old Renee Faulkner and Rubinstar HH, who were reserves for the 2015 team, have also been competing at 3* level, with the baby of the team, 18-year-old Vicky Browne-Cole of Waiuku and her grey thoroughbred Eli having earned their place with consistent performances.