Hard ground affects trials

Hard ground at a Silver Fern Farms property caused many top riders to withdraw from the Arran Station horse trials in Takapau at the weekend.

There were 176 entries, although not everyone competed because of the hard ground.

Samantha Felton won the Red Snap’r CIC3* class riding Ricker Ridge Rui, despite amassing 25.2 time penalties during the cross country portion of the event.

Papakura rider Renee Faulkner was second on Rubinstar HH, having incurred 15.6 time penalties.

Matthew Grayling, of New Plymouth, won the 2* class on Winky Foley’s NRM Trudeau ahead of overnight leader, Amanda Pottinger from Havelock North, riding Just Kidding.

Many competitors use the event as a final run before the Australian Three-Day Event.

PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND A rider enters a water jump under close scrutiny during class 2 of the Arran Station spring horse trial in Takapau on Sunday.