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Porter and Mr Bee Brown win NZ World Challenge

Monday 1 March 2010, 6:50AM

By Diana Dobson

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FOXTON

Rebecca Porter may be off to represent New Zealand after a stunning win in the FEI world children's jumping challenge in Foxton today (Sunday).

The 14-year-old from Hawke's Bay and her horse Mr Bee Brown gathered just three time faults from the four rounds they jumped over two days at the Wellington Horowhenua Showjumping Championships.
It is just Porter's first season with Mr Bee Brown, in whom she has absolutely every confidence now they've formed such a strong partnership.

Harry Duncan (Marton) and the perennial star pony Cheblinkers finished second after a stop in the third round of the competition with 14-year-old Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) taking third on her pony Hopeful Illusion and fourth on her second mount Jazz Cheval.

She'll be feeling a little unlucky after going clear to the last round when she and Hopeful Illusion took a rail.
Children from all over the globe jump the same course with just the top 25 heading to the world final in December. Porter will have to wait until later in the year to find out if her three time faults rank her high enough.

Historically New Zealand has done quite well in the event, with Jake Lambert (Cambridge) finishing fourth in the final in 2007.

Earlier in the show Gabrielle Harvey made the most of being last to go in the Toyota young rider class taking the honours and valuable points for the leaderboard.

Harvey (Central Districts) and Monavie Westella were the last of four combinations into the jump-off from the 14 starters.

Ahead of them, Rachel McGregor (Auckland) and Kabo Benny Boy had set the pace going fast and clear in 42.40, with Emma Williams (Masterton) and Cricklewood Ace dropping two rails on their way to a faster time, stopping the clock at 40.61.

But Harvey knew she just had to leave everything up in a respectable time – and she did, coming home clear in 42.03, leaving McGregor in second, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) and Brother Brown in third after they had a stop, and Williams fourth.

Results -
FEI World Children's Jumping Challenge: Rebecca Porter (Hawke's Bay) Mr Bee Brown 1, Harry Duncan (Marton) Cheblinkers 2, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 3, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Jazz Cheval 4, Emma Thurlow (Waverley) I'm Ollie 5, Shaun Fannin (Hawke's Bay) Bro Town 6.
Cathay Pacific horse grand prix: Robert Steele (Hawera) Gospel 1, Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) Major Brown 2, Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Kabo Benny Boy 3, Philip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Daylight LS 4, Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Myka 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Once a Warrior 6.
Toyota young rider: Gabrielle Harvey (Central Districts) Monavie Westella 1, Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Kabo Benny Boy 2, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Brother Brown 3, Emma Williams (Masterton) Cricklewood Ace 4, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 5, Carissa McGregor (Christchurch) Chatterton 6.
Cushionride seven year old: Kirsten McLeod (Gisborne) Kahurangi Valenza 1, Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Henton Exclusive 2, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Woodbury 3, Tom Tarver Priebe (Kawerau) Pick Me NZPH 4, Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Abernaki Chief 5, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 6.
FMG pony grand prix: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kickin the Clouds 1, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Soul Sister 2, Emily Fraser (Takapau) Tony the Pony 3, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Co Calico 4, Tinesha Carey (Hawke's Bay) High Hat 5, Henry Booth (Masterton) Woodmount Splash 6.