WATER PLEASE: The water jump fish awaits competitors in the countdown to this weekend's national eventing champs at Takapau. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
WATER PLEASE: The water jump fish awaits competitors in the countdown to this weekend's national eventing champs at Takapau. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
The new look Arran Station cross-country course has been likened to the Olympics, and it certainly has an international feel, with professional course designers presenting not only attractive fences but technically challenging questions for the National Eventing Championships this weekend.
The course designer for the two top classes, theRed Snap'r CIC3* title class and the Oaklane Stables Chaff CIC2* class, is Chris Ross, from Woodhill Sands, near Kumeu. He has had overseas experience, working on the Badminton course in England three years ago, and on the Olympic course at Rio this year.
Ross spent two months helping the three Willis brothers, Britain's famous course builders, at Rio, along with two Americans from Kentucky. One of these was a "chainsaw artist" and he got Ross started on this unique skill. The result is an impressive fish in the water jump, carved from a big log, which the 2* and 3* horses will jump.
Ross's wife Shelley is a former 3* eventer, and a winner of this national title, who rode at the first event at Arran Station 30 years ago. Both are amazed at the development of the venue, owned by Silver Fern Farms, who provide assistance to Central & Southern Hawkes Bay Eventing in presenting this prestigious event.
The 1* and 105 course designer is Chris Lever, from Carterton, who has honed his chainsaw skills while assisting John Nicholson present the HOY cross-country and Nicholson's local course at Kihikihi. He designed the 1* and 105 tracks for the Taupo Three-day Event in May, and is now earning his living as a cross-country designer-builder.
His passion is carving wooden birds & animals to decorate cross-country fences, which he has brought to Arran Station to decorate the courses for the champs. Both Lever and his partner Donna are former eventers, and she has developed a talent for dressing the fences, so they are a sought-after duo.
The dressage and showjumping takes place today with the cross-country running all day tomorrow. The championship classes start at 9.45am, and spectator viewing is second to none at Arran Station, with cars able to park along a high bank overlooking the course. Members of the public are also able to walk the course and watch the action close up.
