NZ's best showjumpers head to Tauranga for final

Top New Zealand showjumper Katie McVean knows what it's like to have a pack hot on her heels....so she's not that fazed as she heads into the final two rounds of the New Zealand World Cup Series this week.

The Olympian and World Equestrian Games representative has a 24 point buffer on her nearest rival, hometown hero Ike Unsworth (Tauranga), with a hungry crew hot on his heels. The final two rounds of the series are being held on Thursday and Sunday at the Bayleys Tauranga Showjumping Championships, with a one round speed class at Mills Reef Winery and the final at the Tauranga Racecourse.

It's a tricky series to call as points awarded are worked out on the number of starters, drop off scores, and riders must nominate their horse for the event – many a rider has ridden two in a world cup class only to nominate the wrong horse and head home without valuable points.

But 24-year-old McVean (Mystery Creek), who also won the series last season, has been on song with her horses Dunstan Delphi and Dunstan Daffodil – half sisters out of her father Jeff's World Cup mare Flower Power.

Her big aim at the moment is to get to the April World Cup final in Germany, and she's booked to go to Europe with Delphi the week after she defends her Olympic Cup Showjumper of the Year crown at the Horse of the Year Show in March.

Long term she's got the London Olympics in her sights but for now her focus is firmly on the World Cup.

“I just want to win enough good points this weekend to keep ahead on that leaderboard,” she says. “I really want to make that final in Germany.”

Likely to throw a cat amongst the pigeons this weekend is Australian Billy Raymont, who while he placed second in the Australian World Cup series, can't garner any points from his efforts on this side of the Tasman. He'll start two horses in the class – his own Stardom and Nicalette NZPH, who is owned by New Zealand Performance Horses who he is riding for while in the country.

A fierce competitor his impact will be on those who let his confidence erode their own.

Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) and wife Sally, who won the series in 2003, are both capable of top efforts on the right day, but realistically it is only the former who has a slim chance at the series title.

Thirteen are expected to start in Thursday's late afternoon class including Gisborne trio Bernard Denton on Suzuki, Adrian Bruce aboard Witheze and Tess Williams riding Alltech Craighaven Nitro.

Also in the mix is Lucy Akers (Mystery Creek) on Tinapai, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) on Kahurangi Valentino and Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) on Swinger. The start list for Sunday's final will be decided upon after the speed class.

The World Cup speed class will be preceded by the Mills Reef Classic, a two round 1.4m class that is expected to attract plenty of interest. Between the two classes there is $14,000 up for grabs.

Australian John Vallance is tasked with building the main courses at the four day show.

Entry to Mills Reef Winery on Thursday and the race course on Sunday is by gold coin donation with proceeds going to assist with the training and care of guide dogs.

The NZ series winner has the opportunity to represent the nation at the world final.

Points heading into Thursday's speed class -

Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 57 points, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) 33 points, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) 32 points, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) and Lucy Akers (Mystery Creek) 24 points, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) 20 points, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) 18 points, Robert Steele (Hawera) 16 points, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and Paula Mussen (Auckland) 12 points, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) 8 points, Tess Williams (Gisborne) 5 points and Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 4 points.