The North Island CTR Championships held out of Masterton, in early March, was an event to not only compete for North Island titles, but also to take time out to remember the late Wairarapa Endurance Club Secretary, Helen Bain, who last December lost her life crossing a river on her pinto horse Evo Supremo.

One of Helen’s passions was CTR; she loved the tactical element of the sport, "riding to time" (This is further explained later in the story).

Along with many projects Helen had on the go, one of them was to organise the North Island CTR Champs which was to be held in January. Due to the tragic circumstances, the Wairarapa club postponed the event and it was held on Sunday, March 7.

The event was well attended with most classes hotly contested.

In the 65km Open Class, Caroline Barber riding Golden Shelter Tai Sharn of Martinborough, took the top spot with a score of 166 points.

"The track was really challenging with a lot of hill climbing,’’ she said.

``It was a test, keeping up a hot pace over such hilly terrain. I reckon there would have been at least 2000 metres of climbing in the track.

``I was pleased how my horse performed and also pleased that I made the optimum time of five hours 25 minutes with only one time penalty. Sooty’s heart rates were really good, so along with a bit of luck on the day, getting my time right, I ended up with a good score."

Second place went to Masterton’s Shane Dougan, riding Taralea Sheer Illusion on 175 points, with third place going to Jenny Champion, riding Freckles, also from Masterton, on 188 points.

The Intermediate 40km class was won by Sue Smith, riding Shadow II, from Pongaroa with 105 points. Smith was thrilled with her win and said it was rather unexpected. Second went to Tina Plastow, riding Alladin La Ish, of Wellington on 106 points with third going to Russell Thomas, riding Long Rein Classic, of Wellington on 113 points. Qualifiers were Bryan Whitehead and Missoula (121 points) Vicky Whitehead and Make Believe Rockafella (121 points) and Lynne Woodhouse and Alpine Star Charlie (148 points).

The Intermediate 40km Junior class was won by Hannah Whitehead, riding Makahiwi Shakeer from Tinui on 109 points. Second went to Emma Mason, riding Tararua Mistalight, from Wellington, on 115 points and third went to Olivia Woodhouse, riding Auntie Ollie, of Pongaroa on 122 points.

Non Championship classes:

65k - Deirdre Bartlett and Craig Royston Deluxe of Tinui, 156 points.

25k - Eunice Algie, Saamen Silhouette of Pongaroa, 96 points, Scott Whitehead, AA Jubilee of Tinui, 97 points, Dianne Keech, Wind in the Willows 98, Annette Phillips Saamen Sylvester 99 points (both from Wellington), Sarah Raleigh, Puketoi Sparkler, Masterton 107 points.

This year there was a trophy donated by Mark Round in memory of Helen, called the Helen Memorial Trophy.

Helen was always a stickler for getting her time as close to the "optimum