Equestrian: Smith takes opening round

Donna Smith, riding Tangolooma, won the first leg of the ESNZ Eventing Super League held in Taupo at the weekend. PHOTO / BARBARA THOMSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The first leg of the ESNZ Eventing Super League took place in perfect conditions at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre in Taupo at the weekend.

Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata) and Tangolooma took the early honours.

Smith was second after Saturday's dressage phase, scoring 53.7 penalties, and show jumped clear, but the overnight lead was held by the dressage leader, Abby Lawrence (Te Puke) and Pseudonym, who scored 52.3 penalties and also show jumped clear.

Smith was first to go cross country on Sunday and set a cracking pace on last year's NRM National Three-day Event winner. Smith's game little horse completed a great round with 8.4 time penalties for a final score of 62.1 penalties.

Lawrence incurred 12.4 time penalties with Pseudonym for a final score of 67.5 penalties and had to settle for the runner-up position, but their good dressage score has earned them extra series points, so the two seasoned competitors are joint leaders of the Super League.

Third place went to current national one-day title holders, Angela Lloyd (Auckland) and her thoroughbred mare Song.

They were third after the dressage on a score of 56.7 penalties, but had two fences down in the show jumping to drop to fifth overnight.

However, they produced the fastest time of the day across country for 2.8 time penalties to regain third spot with a final score of 67.5 penalties.

Nine competitors started the competition, including members of the Talent Development Squad who were stepping up to three-star level for the first time All but one completed the event, Karen Niederer (Taupo) and Cape Palliser retiring on the cross-country.

The next event in the year-long Super League series is at Arran Station, Takapau, at Labour Weekend.

ESNZ Eventing Super League results at the weekend:

Standings after first event: Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata), Tangolooma, 42 pts; Abby Lawrence (Te Puke), Pseudonym, 42 pts; Angela Lloyd (Auckland), Song, 30 pts.