A Classic In The Making

World champs team-mates Katie McVean and Maurice Beatson have opened up a healthy lead on the field in the New Zealand World Cup showjumping series, and this weekend they’ll both be looking to build on that at the Christmas Classic in Taupo.

McVean (Mystery Creek) has a four-point buffer over Beatson (Dannevirke), with a further 11 points back to Tess Williams (Gisborne). She will start Dunstan Daffodil while Beatson has his home-bred horse My Gollywog entered.

Both riders have been in searing form this season.

The fourth round of the series on Saturday is the highlight of the three day classic, which is followed by Taupo Derby Day Championship on the Sunday.

Williams will also be lining up in the World Cup on her flea-bitten grey Alltech Craighaven Nitro, as will Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) on both Annandale Online NZPH and Waitangi Triple X.

Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) will be hoping her golden run will continue with her horses My Ocean Wave and Bates Amaretto MVNZ, and never to be discounted are Julie Davey (Hastings) on Air Hill Myka, current Lady Rider of the Year Lucy Akers (Palmerston North) on Cortaflex Tinapai and Bernard Denton (Gisborne) Suzuki.

Also entered are Samantha Peters (Whangarei) on Likeable NZPH and former Young Rider of the Year winner Carissa McGregor (Auckland) on Chatterton in her first World Cup start.

The popular show, which is held at the National Equestrian Centre, has attracted more than 800 combinations – just short of its record-breaking numbers last year. The classic has been running for more than 20 years, is the largest single discipline competition in New Zealand, and is second only in size to the Horse of the Year Show.

Show director Geordie Bull says the three star event, which starts on Thursday, caters for everyone from kids on ponies and adult amateurs, right through to the country’s best riders including Olympians McVean, Beatson, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) and Daniel Meech (Taupo).

Bomac World Cup (NZ series) points: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 38 points, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 34, Tess Williams (Gisborne) 23, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 22, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) 22, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) 14, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) 10, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) 7.