Mcvean Sets The Stage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2010

Mcvean Sets The Stage

Katie McVean’s win in the Norwood Gold Cup at the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show today (Wednesday) brought a tear to the eye of a very special person in Hastings.

Her grandfather Len McVean, a former Australian Olympic selector, was on hand to watch her win the same class her father Jeff has done twice before.

Aboard imported stallion Corofino II, 23-year-old McVean (Mystery Creek) headed home 30 other combinations to take the historic cup which was first presented in 1967 and sports the names of some of the greatest riders Australasia has ever seen.

She was one of seven through to the jump-off. Ahead of her Billy Raymont (Australia) and Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH had laid down the gauntlet going clear in 36.20. Next out was Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and his home bred Jedi Warrior who dropped three rails and stopped the clock in 36.88.

One of the stars of the class Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) and 12-year-old Cheltenham were smoking their way around the course, setting the fastest time of the class but paying for it with a rail at the last.

Then came Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) on Kahurangi Valentino who took a rail, followed by McVean and the 12-year-old Holsteiner. They sliced corners where others hadn’t dared and left everything in tact - despite a rather hairy last jump

Chris Harris (Christchurch) and Zilco Te Peka Luciano almost pulled it off but took the last, religating them to third spot, with Beatson back out on Zibbibo taking a rail and their time around the course.

McVean says she knew she’d have to put some pace on to beat Raymont and the only place she could see to make it was going into the second jump.

“He’s going to be dangerous all show.”

Her other mounts in the class - Dunstan Forrest II and Dunstan Daffodil picked up four faults apiece in the opening round.

Corofino arrived in the country in September and has been competing here since December, but he’s had plenty of breeding duties to see to. McVean opted to rest him heading into the KCHoY and says it was most certainly the right choice.

“It is really special to win these top trophies that dad has,” she says, “and it is awesome to have Pop here too.”

The New Zealand young rider team managed to get one back on their Queensland counterparts, winning the second round of the Trans Tasman Challenge and tying up the points heading into the final day.

The Kiwis picked up a bonus point for three clears in a round - courtesy of Chloe Akers (Palmerston North), Helen Bruce (Palmerston North) and captain Tess Williams (Gisborne).

Akers and Williams also notched double clears for the class today, as did NZ composite team member Brad Cunningham (Christchurch).

Competitors in the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge are riding borrowed mounts that are swopped between the teams each day. The competition finishes tomorrow (Thursday).

Meanwhile the six-day KCHoY picks up a notch or three in the coming days, with the Lady Rider of the Year tomorrow (Wednesday), the Young Rider of the Year, Silver Fern Stakes, including the Nations Cup competition between New Zealand and Australia, and the big one on Sunday, with the Bell Tea Olympic Cup for Showjumper of the Year.

More than 2600 combinations are competing at the show in 18 disciplines in 28 arenas.

Tomorrow night (Thursday) sees a gala dinner to celebrate the induction of the first people into the Horse of the Year Hall of Fame. The evening is a sell-out, and just who will be honoured is a closely guarded secret.

Results -

Norwood Gold Cup: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Corofino II (owned by Jenny McIntyre) 1, Billy Raymont (Australia) Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH 2, Chris Harris (Christchurch) Zilco Te Peka Luciano 3, Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Cheltenham 4, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Valentino 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Zibbibo 6.

Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge: New Zealand, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Mahoenui (owned by Ruth Hone) clear, clear; Helen Bruce (Palmerston North) Snora (owned by Bailey Marshall) clear, 4 faults; Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Kapka (owned by Susie Hamilton) 4 faults, 4 faults; Tess Williams (Gisborne) Miss Victoria (owned by Devon van Til) clear, clear; best from three over both rounds 4 faults, 1; Queensland, Olivia Hamood, Outward Bound (owned by the Bentall family) clear, 4 faults; Kirsty Ansell, Fasaadi (owned by Jenna Mahoney) 8 faults, 8 faults; Gemma Crighton, Sirocco Hercules (owned by John Couper) 4 faults, clear; Tom Sedger, My Word (owned by Nadine McFadzien) 16 faults, 16 faults; best of three over both rounds, 24 faults, 2; NZ Composite: Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Repias Harty (owned by Chris Hansen) 8 faults, 16 faults; Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Pay Day NZPH (owned by Warrick Hansen) clear, clear; Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Matakau (owned by Robyn Coupe) 16 faults, 4 faults; Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Winard Albert (owned by Amanda Wards) 12 faults, 8 faults; best from three 32 faults, 3.

Points: NZ 6 points, Queensland 3, NZ Composite 1. After two rounds: NZ 8 points, Queensland 8 points, NZ Composite 3 points.

ends

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