Katie McVean's March Continues
Katie McVean's determined march continued today as she and Dunstan Daffodil were comfortable winners of the fourth round
of the New Zealand World Cup series at the Christmas Classic at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo today
(Saturday).
More valuable points went to McVean for the win, making it an increasingly tough tally for the rest of the leaderboard
to catch. She now has a 16 point buffer on Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) who had to settle for fourth place today.
Eleven started the class, with clears coming from McVean and her fellow World Equestrian Games team-mate Maurice Beatson
(Dannevirke) on My Gollywog. Ten combinations went through to the second round, with four-faulter Robert Steele (Hawera)
and his home bred Gospel leaving everything in place, Beatson taking a rail, but clocking a faster time, and McVean
notching double clear.
Julie Davey (Hawke's Bay) and Air Hill Myka were the only combination to go clear in the opening round of the one star
horse grand prix, giving them the honours.
Many of the 20 combinations in the seven year old class struggled with the water jump, with McVean and Dunstan Zasjany D
winning ahead of Nigel Horton (Palmerston North) Miss Mopsie.
Luke Dee and the evergreen Wild Thing nailed a big and technical course to take out the pony grand prix ahead of 27
other combinations. Four went through to the jump-off with Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) setting a cracking pace but paying
for it with a rail. Next out was Logan Massie (Dannevirke), the series leader, who flew round clear in 46.3 seconds and
laying a mighty challenge for Dee who stopped the clock at 43.95.
The four-day show finishes tomorrow (Sunday).
The show is a celebration for the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly on the equestrian centre since late May.
Nearly all of the work on creating the two new all-weather arenas and extending the existing arena has been done with
voluntary time and equipment, with help also from periodic detention workers and Department of Conservation employees.
World class eventing cross country designer John Nicholson (Te Awamutu) has already started building his course for the
May national three day event, as has work started on the course for the April Pony Club Championships.
Results -
World Cup (NZ qualifying series), fourth round: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 1, Maurice Beatson
(Dannevirke) My Gollywog 2, Robert Steele (Hawera) Gospel 3, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Seremonie VDL 4, Adrian Bruce
(Gisborne) Witheze 5, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Valentino 6.
Points: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 45 points, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) 29 points, Philip Steiner (Tauranga), Bernard
Denton (Gisborne), Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) 17 points.
Horse grand prix one star: Julie Davey (Hawke's Bay) Air Hill Myka 1, Jamie Beatson (Cambridge) Ombudsman 2, Ike
Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Wimbledon MVNZ 3, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Cortaflex Right Royal 4, Danielle Maurer (Auckland)
Blue Rinse 5, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Laughton's Legacy 6.
Annandale Great Lakes 1.2m Challenge: Kyle Timm (Clevedon) Sam I Am 1, Candice Fox (Auckland) Larkham 2, Ella Varcoe
(Auckland) Astek Incahoots 3, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Samuel Something 4, Tayla Mason (Wellington) Hula Rock 5, Jake
Lambert (Cambridge) O So Happy 6.
Cushion Ride seven year old: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zasjany D 1, Nigel Horton (Palmerston North) Miss
Mopsie 2, Mandy Geeson (Taupo) Qualine De Kergane 3, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Volley Of Beracah 4, Phillip Steiner
(Tauranga) Annandale Waitangi Triple X 5, Sophie Burling (Whangarei) 6.
Barbara Thompson Photography Pony Grand Prix: Luke Dee (Gisborne) Wild Thing 1. Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kickin the
Clouds 2, Lily Tootill (Auckland) Tally Ho Bandit 3, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 4, Nicole Watson
(Hawera) Mister Brumby 5, Meg Lambert (Cambridge) Co Calico 6.
ends