Spectators were treated to exciting action in the Rush Munro’s CIC3* class at the HOY Eventing at the Hawkes Bay Equestrian Park on Saturday, where John Nicholson’s beautifully presented cross-country course sorted the seasoned combinations from the inexperienced at that level.

Annabel Wigley, Amberley, second overnight, rode NRM Frog Rock inside the optimum time to move into the lead on their dressage score of 53.3, with Simon Gordon, Auckland, and Fletch.com moving up from fifth to be second on 55.4, also without incurring any time penalties. Abby Lawrence, Te Puke, and Pseudonym added 0.4 time penalties to their sixth placed dressage to pull up to third on 56.4, while Wigley was also inside the time on her second ride, NRM Enzo, moving from eight to fourth on their dressage score of 56.9.

All but one of the seventeen starters completed the course, with one other incurring jumping penalties, but Annabel on both her horses and Simon were the only ones inside the optimum time. Overnight leader Donna Smith, Te Kauwhata, incurred 14.4 time penalties with Balmoral Sensation to drop to eighth, and her third placed ride, Just Chocolate, dropped out of contention with 21.2 time penalties.

Sunday morning’s showjumping phase, which is jumped in reverse order of merit, will be very tense, as less than four penalties, the cost of dropping one rail, separates the first four competitors. But all horses must pass the veterinary inspection before going forward to this final phase.

Results: Rush Munro CIC3*: Annabel Wigley, NRM Frog Rock, 53.3, 1; Simon Gordon, Fletch.com, 55.4, 2; Abby Lawrence, Pseudonym, 56.4, 3; Wigley, NRM Enzo, 56.9, 4; Donna Smith, Henton Executive, 59.7, 5; Juliet Wood, Bold Trader, 60.2, 6

Show Circuit CIC2*: Samantha Felton, Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, 49.4, 1; Virginia Thompson, Ashbury Pee Cee, 51.1, 2; Campbell Draper, Kahurangi Manu, 57.5, 3; Jessica Woods, Too Predictable, 59.8, 4; Donna Smith, Balmoral Tangolooma, 60.7, 5; Lauren Currie, Wishful Thinking, 61.56, 6

PGG Wrightson Novice: Sarah Dalziell, Benrose Super Star, 29.8, 1; Draper, Mr Mancini, 31.7, 2; Nick Brooks, Thriller II, 33.3, 3; Kate Wood, Drakkar, 33.9, 4; Natasha Edwards, Runner Bean, 37.7, 5; Abby Lawrence, Class of 62, 44.3, 6

Fiber Fresh Young Rider: Georgia Dufty, Charlton Tabloid, 37.2, 1; Samantha Felton, Ricker Ridge Escada, 37.4, 2; Jessica Woods, Defies Logic, 39.6, 3; Tayla Mason, Just Joop, 39.8, 4; Georgia Montgomery, Mahoenui, 40.4, 5; Olivia Ogle, Pin M Down, 42.3, 6 Virginia Caro.