Online on form

Tauranga horseman Phillip Steiner and his stunning Annandale Online NZPH were right on the money in the second round of the New Zealand World Cup series held at Kihikihi this afternoon (Sunday).

The 38-year-old notched his first ever world cup class win when he rode double clear leaving the 10 other combinations in his wake on the final day of the three-day Showjumping Waikato Show.

Steiner has had the nine-year-old 17 HH black horse – who is owned by his parents John and Emily Steiner with he and his wife Sally – nearly six years.

“He didn't go so well at Hastings (in the opening round) but jumped good here the first two days of the show so I was quietly hoping we would go well.”

Steiner, Lucy Akers (Cambridge) on Tinapai and Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) on Witheze were the only clears of the 11-strong field in the first round. Nine came back for the second round over the testing Kevin Hansen (Hastings) designed course.

New Zealand representative Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) and Dunstan Daffodil, carried four faults through from a first round rail so set a cracking pace with a very smart clear in the second. But McVean, who won the opening round, had to settle for second, with Bruce, who took two rails in the second round, in third spot.

Steiner's wife Sally – a former World Cup New Zealand series winner – was fourth aboard Annandale Wickcliffe Brannigan after collecting four faults in the first and another six in the second.

Online was bred by Warrick Hansen, and Steiner says after he won three seven-year-old classes in a row aboard the horse, the family decided to buy him from the breeder.

The Steiners are a tight-knit busy family, with 30 horses in work at their 17 acre farm along with three-year-old son James, who is already showing the talent of his parents aboard his little pony.

The best Steiner has ever previously done in a world cup class is second - “a long long time ago”.

In the pony grand prix Luke Dee (Gisborne) and Wild Thing swept aside 24 other combinations to take the honours.

Earlier in the show Rachel McGregor (Cambridge) celebrated her 21st birthday in style with a convincing win in the prestigious young rider class on the opening day.

McGregor and Kabo Benny Boy were the only ones of the nine combinations to go clear in the opening round over a challenging Kevin Hansen (Hawke's Bay) designed course.

Results:

Bomac World Cup (NZ qualifying series): Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Online NZPH 1, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 2, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) Witheze 3, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Wickcliffe Brannigan 4, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) Suzuki 5, Robert Steele (Hawera) Gospel 6, Lucy Akers (Cambridge) Tinapai 7, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Meersbrooke Flintstone 8.

Points after two rounds: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 22 points, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) 15, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) 10, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) 9.

Pony grand prix: Luke Dee (Gisborne) Wild Thing 1, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kickin the Clouds 2, Robert Wellword (Hastings) Airborne Magic 3, Rebecca Porter (Hastings) Chobidong 4, Melonie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 5, Rebekah van Tiel (Auckland) Guthrie 6.

Equibreed Young Rider: Rachel McGregor (Cambridge) Kabo Benny Boy 1, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 2, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Winston Darco V 3, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) QuickStep NZPH 4, Amanda Wilson (Northland) Showtym Viking 5.

Cushionride seven year old: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zasjany D 1, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Limmerick GNZ 2, Vicki Prendergast (Hamilton) Solano 3, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zimorena G 4, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 5, Allan Goodall (Auckland) Leeston Eagle 6.

Mitavite six year old: Kyle Timm (Clevedon) LC Funny Lass, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Branson MVNZ, Robert Steele (Taranaki) Rollup, Kyle Timm (Clevedon) LC R Mister Berg, Melanie Purcell (Whakatane) Kiwi Iron Mark, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield, Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Henton Encore, Robert Steele (Taranaki) Roulette, Kenji Nishizuka (Auckland) Burberry MVNZ, Vicki Wilson (Whangarei) Showtym Bandit =1.

Astek Stud five year old: Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) KK Tane Mahuta, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Caledonia MVNZ, Kyle Timm (Clevedon) LC Schweppes, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespeare NZPH, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Spotnik NZPH, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Cervelt MVNZ, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kinsale II, Savannah Larsen Church (Turangi) Midway Smooth Dude, Kyle Timm (Clevedon) LC Riviere Rouge, Vicki Wilson (Whangarei) Showtym Levado, Kyle Timm (Clevedon) LC Rodeo Drive, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Kapattack, Paula Brocklehurst (Waikato) Showtym Lass =1.

Iverquantel amateur: Olivia Gloyn (Turangi) Midway Ace 1, Tarnia Morris (Waikato) BMW Fjola 2, Melanie Dudding (Waikato) Touch of Country 3, Phillip Cross (Waikato) Nirvana 4, Carissa McCall (Auckland) War Dance II 5, Nicola Smith (Waikato) Chrialka Dettori 6.

KiwiSpan junior rider: Candice Fox (Auckland) Larkham 1, Lisa Hogg (Whakatane) Brooke BHS 2, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 3, Jessica Woods (Ohaupo) Too Predictable 4, Bridget Grylls (Te Awamutu) Yippee Yi Yo 5, Tayla Mason (Waikanae) Just Joop 6.

Cambridge Cup Cathay Pacific 1* grand prix: Vicki Wilson (Whangarei) Showtym Girl 1, Robert Steele (Hawera) Countryman 2, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Wickliffe Brannigan 3, Lucy Akers (Cambridge) Tinapai 4, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 5, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Wimbledon MVNZ 6.

STH pro amateur rider: Kirstin McLeod (Gisborne) NZ Joesph 1, Sarah Aitken (Gisborne) Best Wishes 2, Jacqui Wright (Waikato) Kaipara Annie 3, Tasha Brown (Tauranga) Maserati 4, Amy Sprague (Northland) Bocelli II 5, Melanie Purcell (Whakatane) Kiwi Iron Mark 6.