Paget convincing in Richfields horse trials win

Paget and Clifton Promise, a 10-year-old thoroughbred gelding by Engagement, went one better than last year at the same event, when they won the two-star (intermediate) class.

A slightly disappointing entry in the three-star class was reduced even further after Saturday's cross-country course took its toll. Paget went into the final showjumping phase with a very handy lead and although the pair dropped a rail, couldn't be overtaken. Former Olympian Matthew Grayling, having won the class last year on the experienced Gordon, placed second on another promising young horse, NRM Ru Star.

International competitor Donna Smith, whose family live almost adjacent to Richfields, was third on her current national three-day champion, Stanage.

Having taken back the ride on Gordon, owner Alice Montgomery (Christchurch) challenged for the two-star win, but couldn't quite catch Cambridge-based John Twomey on Flaunt It. The two had been equal after Friday's dressage, but while Twomey finished the cross-country clear inside the time, Montgomery had 1.2 time penalties and a rail down show jumping left Twomey to jump clean for the win.

Samantha Felton travelled from Kerikeri to win the one-star junior trial on her 12-year-old dark brown thoroughbred 1600 DOHC Turbo, pulling up from third after dressage and incurring only 1.6 time penalties across country. Although they dropped a show jumping rail, they were safe with a commanding lead. The dressage leader, Rhiannon Leak (Kaukapakapa) and Lighthearted were clear but slow across country, leaving them with too big a deficit to make up.

Kirstin Kelly (Auckland) had mixed fortunes on Saturday, being eliminated across country on her three star horse, but her one star, novice, ride Mr Darcy, owned by Anne Davies, made up for that, leading the dressage and having double clear rounds in the jumping phases to win. Megan Finlayson (Waimate North) and Annie Oakley, fourth after dressage, were close going in to show jumping but even with a clear round had to be content with second place, while Chloe Kennedy (Auckland) on Boots and All was third.

Waikato District Council CCI*** (Advanced): J Paget, Clifton Promise 63.4 1; M Grayling (New Plymouth) NRM Ru Star 77.3 2; D Smith (Waikato) Stanage 79.8 3; A. Styles (Auckland) As You Like It 81.9 4.

Placemakers Huntly CCI** (Intermediate): J Twomey (Cambridge) Flaunt It 48.8 1; A Montgomery (Christchurch) Gordon 54 2; K Wood (Whangarei) Easy Tiger 62 3; J Campbell (Waikato) Volitation 64.4 4; S Taylor (Waikato) D.V.8 66.6 5.

Clifton Eventers CCIJunior*: S Felton (Kerikeri) 1600 DOHC Turbo 59.9 1; R Leak (Waitemata) Lighthearted 71 2; L Currie (Lower Hutt) Wishful Thinking 76.5 3.

Goldpine CCI* (Novice): K. Kelly (Auckland) Mr Darcy 47.1 1; M Finlayson (Waimate North) Annie Oakley 53.8 2; C. Kennedy (Auckland) Boots And All 53.9 3; J Jackson (Waikato) Vedettte 55.7 4; B Newman (Palmerston North) Bates Trademark 56 5.

Commercial Autos Pre Novice A: T Copplestone (Drury) 35.9 1; A Wigley (Canterbury) Frog Rock 37.7 2; E Johns (Auckland) Silent Seeker 41.7 3. B: T White (Auckland) Time to Tango 33.3 1; P Wilson (Auckland) Clinic 42 Four Diamonds 36.2 2; A Alderslade (Auckland) Magnum 45 38 3.