Kihikihi World Cup Preview

It's likely to be the battle of the team-mates once again in the second round of the New Zealand Bomac World Cup series at Kihikihi on Sunday afternoon.

World Championship team-mates Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) – who have both also ridden for New Zealand at a World Cup final – head a 15-strong field at the Waikato Showjumping Championships which gets underway tomorrow (Friday).

The annual event has attracted more than 500 entries from all over the country, who will compete in three arenas over three days.

Beatson has been in flying form aboard his home-bred horse My Gollywog, winning the opening round of the World Cup in Hawke's Bay and featuring in all of his grand prix starts this season.

And it seems the secret to his success may be found out on the farm.

Beatson and 16-year-old Gollywog have been doing far more farm work this season, which could be making the difference.... but of course Beatson isn't giving anything away.
Defending series champion McVean will start two horses in the World Cup – Dunstan Daffodil and Dunstan Zasjany D.

Daffodil, half sister to Dunstan Delphi, was a star in last season's World Cup series and more than capable of heading any class home, while the pretty little grey Dutch mare Zasjany placed fourth in her first World Cup start in Hawke's Bay so is certainly one to watch out for.

But there's also a run of other top combinations to worry about who will revel in the challenge set by course designer Gerrit Beker (Tauranga).

Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) and Annandale Online NZPH won the class at Kihikihi last year, and both he and his wife Sally, aboard Annandale Wickliffe Brannigan are entered. Former series winner Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) and Swinger are also in the mix, as is young gun Tess Williams (Gisborne) and Alltech Craighaven Nitro who finished third in Hawke's Bay.

Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) and Kahurangi Tardak are always there or there-abouts, as is Robert Steele (Hawera) on Gospel, and there will be plenty of interest in South Islander Ross Smith aboard his stunning imported stallion Quite Cassini.

Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) and Witheze are a new combination to look out for, while Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) on both her mounts Bates Amaretto MVNZ and My Ocean Wave, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) on Suzuki and Lucy Akers (Palmerston North) on Cortaflex Tinapai can't be discounted.

Show organisers are expecting a few late entries in the prestigious class, so time will tell who steps up.

Committee member Vicki McVean says the grounds at the Kihikihi Domain are looking magnificent.

“These will be the best grounds they'll jump on anywhere,” she says. “They look perfect and are second to none.”

The New Zealand World Cup series runs over seven rounds with the best five counting. The victor has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the prestigious world cup final to be held in s-Hertongenbosch in the Netherlands in April.

Bomac World Cup points (after one round): Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 12 points, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 10, Tess Williams (Gisborne) 8.