Steiner finds the perfect line

Nerves of steel stood Phillip Steiner in good stead as he guided his horse Annandale Online NZPH to an impressive victory in the World Cup (NZ qualifying series) at the Showjumping Waitemata New Year Show at Woodhill Sands in Auckland today (Sunday).

Eight combinations, including Aussie raider Billy Raymont who only landed with his horse Stardom in the country on Thursday, started the class.

It was just Steiner and Raymont who left everything clear in the first round over the Peter Holmes (Canada) designed course, with series leader Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) taking a rail with Dunstan Daffodil.

McVean put the pressure on in the second, going clear and finishing on four faults. Raymont, who has recently finished second in the Australian World Cup series, went clear also, laying down the challenge for Steiner.

Steiner (Tauranga) notched a graceful clear in a speedy time to take the honours.

Showjumping Waitemata brought course designer Holmes in to test the combinations, giving them a truly international challenge for their two day three star show.

Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) took the quinella in the Cathay Pacific one star grand prix with her horses Bates Amaretto MVNZ and My Ocean Wave, with Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) and Winston Darco V scoring their first victory in a three star young rider.

Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) and Hopeful Illusion continued to show why they are a combination to watch for the future with their win in the pony grand prix.

Results -

Bomac World Cup (NZ qualifying series): Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Online NZPH 1, Billy Raymont (Australia/Ocean Beach) Stardom 2, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 3, Billy Raymont (Australia/Ocean Beach) Nicalette NZPH 4, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Tardak 5, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) Withese 6.

Cathay Pacific 1* grand prix: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 1, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) My Ocean Wave 2, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Wurlitzer 3, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Wimbledon MVNZ 4, Rachel Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 5, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) Corofino 6.

Young rider: Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Winston Darco V 1, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 2, Stephanie Anderson (Whitianga) I Reckon 3, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Kiwi Guard 4, Alexa Randall (Auckland) Chairman 15 5, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Uranda 6.

Pony grand prix: Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 1, Rebekah Van Tiel (Auckland) Guthrie 2, Hannah Harding (Papakura) Hawaii Haka 3, Hayley Lockhart (Auckland) Mia Amore 4, Laura Lush (Waiuku) Miss Vanilla Twist 5, Te Atatu Mihaka (Kaukapakapa) Timatanga Blue, 6.

Kiwispan junior rider: Candice Fox (Auckland) Bush Magic 1, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 2, Candice Fox (Auckland) Larkham 3, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) O So Happy 4, Hannah Harding (Papakura) Cosmic Cowboy 5, Jennifer Leslie (Drury) Macavee 6.

Cushionride seven year old: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 1, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Waitangi Triple X 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) The Mighty Quin, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zasjany D 4, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 5, Glen Beal (Pukekohe) Solano 6.

Mitavite six year old: Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Branson, Billy Raymont (Australia/Ocean Beach) Renoir NZPH, Alice Hamilton (Albany) Weiti Eros, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield, Kyle Timm (Clevedon) LC Telepathy =1.

Astek Stud five year old: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Lavello, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Kapattack, Michelle Wakeling (Wellsford) BMW Lanza, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Levado, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Cervelt MVNZ, Laura Newman Dempster (Northland) Westhay Shiraz, Kyle Timm (Clevedon) Schweppes LC, Jaime Campbell (Albany) Velocity II =1.

STH pro-am rider: Amy Sprauge (Whangarei) Bocelli II 1, Tasha Brown (Tauranga) Maserati 2, Sarah Beal (Pukekohe) Y-Not 3, Caroline Pearson (Kawerau) Japan Man 4, Sophie Boardman (Waiuku) Kaipara Beedle 5, Catherine Fawcett (Pukekohe) Sir Spice 6.

Iverquantel amateur rider: Carol Stewart (Tokoroa) Tartan Crossfire 1, Tarnia Morris (Waikato) BMW Fjola 2, Vicki Prendergast (Te Aroha) Bruce Wayne 3, Kirsten Kelly (Auckland) Tiraumea Donegal 4, Hayley Morgan (Auckland) Opares Rev Em Up 5, Nicola Smith (Cambridge) Chiralka Dettori 6.