Katie McVean's Golden Run Continues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 18, 2010

Katie McVean's Golden Run Continues

Katie McVean is on a mission to set a few records at the 2010 Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

The 23-year-old from Mystery Creek today (Thursday) won the prestigious Lady Rider of the Year crown in a heart-stopping jump-off ahead of some of the nation’s top riders. Yesterday she won the Norwood Gold Cup.

The 49-strong start list in the Lady Rider was whittled down to just five who went clear inside time.

Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) aboard the 10-year-old mare Bates Kahurangi Vin Rouge was first out, and clocked the fastest time of the round, stopping the clock at 41.82 but dropped the first rail.

Next out was Aussie visitor Jamie Winning on Yandoo Vangelo who also took a rail but was decidedly slower in 48 seconds.

Two time former winner of the Lady Rider crown, Julie Davey (Hastings) and Air Hill Myka carried the hopes of the local crowd on her shoulders, and while she went clear, she wasn’t quite fast enough, coming home in 46.69.

Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) and Tipsey took two rails leaving just McVean to go, and she made the most of the luxury of being last.

“I made sure I watched everyone go in the jump-off,” said McVean. “After the first couple had rails down, everyone was more concerned about going clear.”

The jump-off certainly had all the ‘danger’ girls in it.

“Lisa is always very fast and Julie is a tough competitor.”

She was no illusions it was an easy course though.

“It was surely tough enough out there,” said the Olympian. “In an event like this it is not about thinking you can go out and win, but more about getting the best out of your horse.”

And she had every confidence in her nine-year-old mare Dunstan Daffodil, who is out of her father’s World Cup mare Flower Power.

“She tries her heart out - she does things a little unorthodoxly and sometimes the wrong way, but she always gives her best. She is a truly great horse.”

Her other mount in the class - Dunstan Forest II - took three rails.

“He was just a bit tired - he was very fresh yesterday and I think he used his energy all up.”

Sideline was granddad Len McVean, a former Australian Olympic selector, who was almost lost for words as he congratulated his granddaughter after the class.

“I thought I was watching Flower Power out there,” he said.

McVean last won the Lady Rider of the Year crown in 2007 on Dunstan Hairy McLairy, and she’s finished second before on Dunstan Dolly.

“It has been a wonderful year, that’s for sure,” says McVean. “I think it is just because the horses dad has bred are now at an age where they are jumping the big classes.”

Meanwhile New Zealand’s young rider team went down to Queensland in the final round of the Trans Tasman Challenge. The two teams were tied up after the first round, but it all went Queensland’s way in the second, giving them the edge.

The CSI3* eventers were out today too, and if the sneak preview is anything to go by, the big class which starts tomorrow will be a cracker.

Alice Montgomery and the ‘old boy’ of the eventing world, Gordon, won the class with a very tidy test. Taking second place was up and coming young rider Lizzie Brown, and the ever popular Henton Attorney General.

Jonathan Paget and Clarke Johnstone brought up third and fourth places.

The show continues through to Sunday when the Bell Tea Olympic Cup winner will be crowned Showjumper of the Year. Tomorrow night sees the Aussies take on the Kiwis in the Nations Cup event.

Results -

Lady Rider of the Year: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 1, Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Myka 2, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Kahurangi Vin Rouge (owned by Gail Shultz) 3, Jamie Winning (Australia) Yandoo Vangelo 4, Team Horse Sales NZ Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Tipsey 5, Sally Steiner (Bay of Plenty) Wickcliffe Brannigan 6.

Trans Tasman Young RiderChallenge: Queensland: Olivia Hamood, Mahoenui (owned by Ruth Hone), 4 faults, 4 faults; Kirsty Ansell, Miss Victoria (owned by Devon van Til) 4 faults, clear; Gemma Creighton, Snora (owned by Bailey Marshall) 4 faults, clear; Tom Sedger, Kapka (owned by Susie Hamilton) clear, 4 faults, best of three from both rounds 12 faults, 1; New Zealand: Rachel McGregor (Auckland) pay Day NZPH (owned by Warrick Hansen) clear, 7 faults; Helen Bruce (Palmerston North) Matakau (owned by Robyn Coupe) 8 faults, 8 faults; Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) clear, clear; Tess Williams (Gisborne) Repia’s Harty (owned by Chris Hansen) 12 faults, 4 faults; best of three 19 faults, 2; NZ Composite: Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Sirocco Hercules (owned by John Couper) 4 faults, clear; Carissa McGregor (South Island) My Word (owned by Nadine McFadzien) 17 faults, 9 faults; Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Fasaadi (owned by Jenna Mahoney) 8 faults, 12 faults; Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Outward Bound (owned by Bentall Family) 4 faults, 4 faults; best of three 29 faults, 3. Points: Queensland 13 points, 1; New Zealand 11, 2; NZ Composite 4, 3.

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