NORTHLAND KEPT up their tradition of top finishes at the National Pony Club Eventing Championships with a third placing in Nelson recently. The long trip to compete certainly paid off with the team placing just behind the 2008 national champions Waitemata Rodney. Northland last won the national title in 2006, when thecompetition was held in Whangarei and last year they came fourth. Northland manager Heather Deane and coach Kate Wood were enthusiastic about the team's performance at the event. "It was a great result considering the relative inexperience of this team compared to previous years, where the riders have attended more top level competition in events around the country," Deane said. "That has a benefit as well though and that is many of the riders will be eligible again for the team next year," she added. The team were involved in a weekend-long battle for second place with Waikato. Northland edged just ahead of Waikato by 0.1 point before the final showjumping round. They couldn't even afford to knock down a rail but the pressure proved too much in the end and both the junior team and the senior team accrued faults. Caption: From left Cara McClelland (team captain) Briar Hart, Jessica Carter, Hayley Fluhler, Sam Felton, Sarah Jagger. Standing are team reserves Elizibeth Geddes and Ria Gunson.
