Matthews blazes trail bang on optimum time
Committee member Dale Matthews and Alamode Ablaze were standout performers when the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club held its final ride of the year in the Waihopai Valley on Sunday.
Matthews and her mount finished exactly to their optimum time of three hours and 15 minutes, ensuring a win in the 29km training class with a score of 88. Gary Newlove riding Stafford placed second in that class, scoring 101.
All open 34km riders recorded low scores and minimal time faults but it was Waihopai Valley’s Linda Harmon and MF El Marees who bagged victory with just 80 faults. Heidi Bulfin and Stonlea Sparkling Rose were second with 88.
The 29km intermediate class went down to a tiebreaker, with Kym Gough and Zena Warrior slightly closer to their optimum time to edge out Picton rider Missy Green and Xavier Cheerokee. Sole junior 29km rider Charlotte Wadsworth finished just 19 seconds over her optimum time on mount Avaasha.
The two 17km classes attracted the most entries, with 11 combinations in novice and eight in training. Alison Moores and Mr T continued their good form to finish on 89 points and win novice honours, while Lee Oldfield and Chance were a close second and the duo of Kirsten Kelleher and Roxedelle DJF were third.
Training was won by youngster Georgia Straight riding Tommy, ahead of first-timer Monique Bliss on Bill and fellow Kaikoura combination Joanne Willet and Rusfina Rain.
The 6km rides were split into lead rein and first-ridden sections, with Elena Miller and Lady finishing ahead of sister Nevaeh on Timmy in lead rein. Firstridden was taken out by Sophie Laws and Chelton Light Magic from Emily Pickering on Lilly and Thomas Evers riding Suzie. Full results Lead rein 6km: Elena Miller/Lady 90 Nevaeh Miller/Timmy 113 2. First ridden 6km: Sophie Laws/Chelton Light Magic 85 1, Emily Pickering/Lilly 89 2, Thomas Evers/Suzie 114 3. Novice 17km: Alison Moores/Mr T 89 1, Lee Oldfield/Chance 93 2, Kirstin Kelleher/Roxebelle DJF 96 3, Kirby Hayes/Jimmy 97 4, Mandy Henn/Dolce Vita 99, Anna Eatherly/ Buddy 100, Lynne Corrin/Jack 107, Maree Davidson/Mr Mouse 109 8, Megan Henn/ Prince 111, Julie Gordon/Bertie 112, Sam Price/ Sunny Brae Amelia 118. Training 17km: Georgia Straight/Tommy 91 1, Monique Biss/Bill 97 2, Joanne Willet/Rusfina Rain 99 3, Sally Blunt/Hundalee Pilot 104 4, Harrison Lee/Soleil 110, Julia Lee/Midori Citrus 110, Michael Bourke/Matar 118, Trish Jellyman/Shadow 118. Training 29km: Dale Matthews/Alamode Ablaze 88 1, Gary Newlove/Stafford 101 2, Sioban Harnett/D’Arcy 120 3, Jo Gaul/Jed 122 4. Intermediate 29km: Kym Gough/Zena Warrior 87 1, Missy Green/Xavier Cheerokee 87 2, Sandra Evers/Silands Snippets 106 3. Youth 29km: Charlotte Wadsworth/Avaasha Open 34km: Linda Harmon/MF El Marees 80 1, Heidi Bulfin/Stonelea Sparkling Rose 88 2, Sophie Harris/Aura Zaafinah 92 3, Pam Harris/Tampa De Oro 99 4.