Canyonleigh Paeon had his first Horse Trials outing at Wingham ODE near Taree, NSW, on the weekend of September 5-6. Rider Emma Armstrong had taken him to a dressage day at Alexander Park (where he won a 2nd placing) and to 2 Jump Club Training Days in preparation, but these have been his only excursions from the training paddock.
He coped brilliantly, bowling along with tail flying and ears pricked. Gave Emma a great, "fun" ride, and we onlookers a heap of enjoyment.
2nd after the dressage, in his Newcomers class, on 70%, he was posted in 1st place overall....until it was realised he'd flown in 'undertime'. Penalty points then relegated him to 3rd. What a great start to an eventing career!
Pan's sire line mirrors C. Sirecho's (eventing up to 2* in the US) and his dam is a close sister to Sutton's Jean-Pierre (JP), also a talented eventer!! It's all in the genes!!
It was great to catch up with Lesley, Terry and Ben Inkson, too, as the event was in their region!!
