Simon kept it simple and his new mount Vita Power Right Royal did the rest.
Champion Simon Wilson was in a class of his own and earned bragging rights in his Waipukurau household for at least another week when he romped home to win the third round of the New Zealand World Cup qualifying series in Tauranga yesterday.
Wilson, who had seen little top-level showjumping action in the World Cup series, spilled just one rail in two rounds yesterday in blustery conditions to bump series leader Robert Steele off his perch.
With just two more rounds of qualifying left, Steele and his mount Gospel still hold the outright lead, although 33-year-old Wilson predicted the big prize was still anyone's.
"Robert's still got the upper hand but this has made things a bit more interesting and opened it up a bit more," Wilson said.
Steele on Gospel came through for equal second alongside Maurice Beatson (My Gollywog) and former Te Puke rider Catherine Cameron.
Cameron, who now lives in Cambridge, was riding Kahukrangi Tardak, a mare owned by Tauranga couple Bing and Nola Allen, who were ringside at the Bayleys-sponsored Tauranga Showjumping Festival to watch their horse.
Wilson's wife Claire (Sacred Hill Answer Back) was fifth, with the series winner after five rounds representing New Zealand at the World Cup final in Kuala Lumpur in April.
Wilson's win was a far cry from last year's Tauranga three-star showjumping event when John Cottle and Beatson, the godfathers of the sport in New Zealand, duked it out in the main arena in a jump-off, with Cottle nudging out his long-time rival.
Wilson streaked the nine-strong field yesterday, making it look easy on a demanding course designed by Cambridge's Trevor Gregory, with constant rain on Saturday softening underfoot conditions.
Wilson dropped just one rail in his first ride and had the luxury of a three-rail buffer on his rivals. He didn't need it, incurring just a one-point time penalty in a supreme display of jumping.
Despite his buffer, Wilson said the nerves were still on show given eight-year-old gelding Vita Power Right Royal was competing in the World Cup for the first time.
"The horse is inexperienced, and although I knew he was up to it, going from 1.4m rails to this (1.6m) is a whole new level again, even more so with the time factor in it.
"It was a nice feeling going into the second round knowing the others were on 16 faults and we had three rails in hand."
The World Cup was the premier event of the three-day show that attracted more than 1000 entries from around New Zealand.
Cottle, who has the world's best ratio of wins to starts in World Cups and has three times represented New Zealand at the World Cup final, didn't defend his three-star crown.
He opted for the mini-grand prix on new horse Capricorn, with last year's winner, 11-year-old stallion Telegraph, now in Canada. Cottle and Capricorn won the mini grand prix from Leanne Chambers on Finders Keepers.
Cottle still took plenty of satisfaction in Wilson's win after spending time with the showjumper at his Waipukurau farm earlier this year.
Wilson and his wife were the first husband-wife duo to represent New Zealand Showjumping in the same team when they joined Cottle (Clevedon) and Steele in beating the Australians earlier this year.
"John's been great for us and has particularly helped me with this horse, getting me up to speed and giving me confidence," Wilson said.
"It's a big step preparing a new horse for this level and John came down and was a different voice and set of eyes. It's paid off today."
Wilson's usual mount Vita Power Swinger is recovering from a heel injury and the champion jumper said there were distinct advantages in having two horses up to World Cup ability.
Cameron, who grew up in Te Puke and shifted to Cambridge five years ago, was thrilled to score second in front of family and friends.
"It was great to have the horse's owner here too. It's our third season together but her (Kahurangi Tardak's) first World Cup season."
Wily Wilson gets jumps right in royal style
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