Beatson Edges McVean to take GP in Gisborne

It was team mate against team mate when Maurice Beatson and Katie McVean went head to head in the jump-off of the horse grand prix at the Gisborne A&P Show today (Saturday).

The two, who represented New Zealand at the 2010 World Championships in Kentucky and have both ridden at the Olympics, were the only two clear rounds from the 12 starters.

Beatson (Dannevirke) and his home bred horse My Gollywog were first out and wasted no time, coming home clear in 58.63.

McVean and Daffodil looked to be just about on track to take it when they dropped a rail in the double.

The victory for Beatson was made all the sweet because Gollywog is on the come-back after a season out due to injury.

“I've won plenty of grand prix here in Gisborne, but it's been a while,” he said.

There were a flurry of combinations on four faults from the first round, with Tess Williams (Gisborne) on Alltech Craighaven Nitro, Luke Dee (Gisborne) on Ombudsman, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) aboard Blue Rinse, and Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) on My Ocean Wave filling the minor placings.

The pony grand prix saw 10 through to the jump-off, with Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) giving her grandfather Trevor Payne the perfect 74th birthday present with her third grand prix win of the season.

Payne and his wife Mary own Weal's Hopeful Illusion and never miss a chance to see them go.

Danielle Maurer (Auckland) and Blue Rinse made the young rider class look easy, gliding around to take the honours.

Results -

STH Hay Supplies pro am: Zoe Shore (Ashburton) Olympia NZPH 1, Molly Bennett (Wairoa) Ngahiwi Cupid 2, Trudi Mitchell (Wairoa) Judge's Decision 3, Kirsten McLeod (Gisborne) Vertigo II 4, Sarah Aitken (Gisborne) Istacruiz 5, Louise Montgomery (Hamilton) Fun Luvn Playboy 6.

Gilltrap Audi young rider: Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 1, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Ombudsman 2, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 3, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Adeaze 4, Hannah Harding (Dargaville) Cosmic Cowboy 5.

KiwiSpan junior rider: Ellie McLellan (Opotiki) Outsider 1, Claudia Porter (Hastings) Mr Harrison 2, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Lowenbehold 3, Lisa Hogg (Ohope) The Mighty Quinn 4, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Cross Your Heart 5, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Kiwi Express 6.

Iverquantel amateur rider: Sarah Aitken (Gisborne) Best Wishes 1, Heather Pease (Pio Pio) Lhanation 2, Caroline Parkes (Gisborne) Classic Arrow 3, Rachel Martin (Wairoa) Kaha 4, Sofie Dever (Wairoa) Two Face 5, Lisa Walker (Gisborne) Miss Serendipity 6.

Cushionride seven-year-old: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Kiwi Iron Mark 1, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Lights Out 3, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) El Billionaire 4, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delilah 5, Claudia Porter (Hastings) Joia Hara 6.

Mitavite six-year-old: Caroline Parkes (Gisborne) Classic Arrow 1.

Astek Stud five-year-old: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Casiraghi.

JLT Bloodstock pony grand prix: Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 1, Rebecca Porter (Hastings) Chobidong 2, Nakeysha Lammers (Hikurangi) Airbourne Magic 3, Laura Lush (Waiuku) Miss Monroe 4, Emily Fraser (Takapau) Tony the Pony 5, Rebekah Van Tiel (Pukekohe) Homeland Hero 6.

Cathay Pacific horse grand prix: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 1, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 2, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Craighaven Nitro 3, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Ombudsman 4, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 5, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) My Ocean Wave 6.