Torrential rain didn't stop Katie McVean turning on a classy performance to take the fourth round of the New Zealand World Cup series at the Christmas Classic in Taupo on Saturday.
Aboard her homebred horse Dunstan Daffodil, McVean (Mystery Creek) was the only one of the seven starters to notch even one clear round - McVean went double clear, just to make sure.
The defending series champ, who earlier this year represented New Zealand at the World Cup final, showed she's right on track to repeat the feat.
Six the seven starters came back for the second round Bernard Denton (Gisborne) on Suzuki and Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) on Bates Amaretto both carried four faults apiece through, with Maurice Beatson on My Gollywog and Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) on Annandale Online NZPH sitting on eight faults each.
The rails continued to fall in the second round, with all but McVean taking a rail each. Coupe took second place thanks to a slicker time than Denton.
Northlanders Vicki Wilson and Tegan Newman also turned in great performances to win their respective classes.
Results -
Great Lake Challenge: Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Girl 1, James Cole (Auckland) Chequebook 2, Tayla Mason (Waikanae) Kabo Lunar 3, Heelan Tompkins (New Plymouth) Billy Ballou 4, Mathew Gilmour (Taranaki) Reel NZ Louisiana Roux 5, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Aztec Oo La La 6.
JLT Bloodstock Pony Grand Prix: Tegan Newman (Kerikeri) Watch Me Move 1, Laura Lush (Waiuku) Miss Munroe 2, Lily Tootill (Auckland) Millbrook 3, Emily Fraser (Dannevirke) Tony the Pony 4, Rebekah Van Tiel (Auckland) Guthrie 5, Shaun Fannin (Hastings) Sir Samson.
Bomac NZ World Cup Series (fourth round) Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 1, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 2, Bernard Denton (Suzuki) Suzuki 3, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 4, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Online NZPH 5, Carissa McGregor (Christchurch) Chatterton 6.
Giltrap Audi Young Rider: Timothy Myers (Taranaki) Pick Me NZPH 1, Joshua Barker (Tauranga) Anubertha 2, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 3, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 4, Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 5, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Kiwi Guard 6.
Iverquantel Amateur Rider: Savanah Larsen-Church (Turangi) Midway Whisper 1, Luis Pedro De Chaby (Tauranga) Stratton 2, Donna Atkinson (Rotorua) Blue Label 3, Kristin Maxwell (Carterton) Kiwi Dula 4, Olivia Gloyn (Taupo) Midway Ace 5, David Goodin (Te Kawhata) Rastas Rebel 6.
KiwiSpan Junior Rider: Rebekah Van Tiel (Auckland) Leeston Eagle 1, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Scottish Lad 2, Lily Tootill (Auckland) Ngahiwi Cruise 3, Lisa Hogg (Ohope) IQ 4, Megan Webb (Hunterville) Abernaki Chief 5, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Cloud 9 6.
STH Pro Amateur Rider: Kim Best (Otane) Brooke BHS 1, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) HR Khemosabi 2, Caroline Tatere (Dannevirke) Grader 3, Kenji Nishizuka (Auckland) Boston MVNZ 4, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Kiwi Motto 5, Glen Beal (Pukekohe) Y-Not 6.
Goldengrove Stud Five Year Old: Jackie Jermyn (Cambridge) Spring Fling, Megan Lindermann-Cohen (Clevedon) LC Talent, Josh Collins (Ocean Beach) Turn it Blue NZPH =1, Josh Collins (Ocean Beach) Triumphant NZPH, Rebecca Bonetti (Auckland) Air Time II, Kim Best (Otane) Mr Wiggle =2.
Mitavite Six Year Old: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Cloud 9, Megan Lindermann-Cohen (Clevedon) LC Rodeo Drive, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Breeze =1, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Okeechobee, Amy Roydhouse (Havelock North) Footprint, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Kiwi Rock, Savanah Larsen-Chruch (Turangi) Midway Smooth Dude, John Couper (Rotorua) Sirocco Belladonna, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Lenarc, Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Erl Grey II, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Levado GNZ =2.
Cushionride Seven Year Old: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield 1, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Lights Out 2, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Pathfinder II 3, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berryman) 4, Rhianna Busler (Manukau) Monty Python 5, Claudia Porter (Hastings) Joia Hara 6.
Cathay Pacific One Star Grand Prix: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Schimmel Warrior 1, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Wickliffe Brannigan 2, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Don Quattro 3, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delilah 4, Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 5, Luis Pedro De Chaby (Tauranga) Stratton 6.
University Challenge: Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Don Quattro 1, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Kiwi Guard 2, Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 3, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Kiwi Motto 4, James Cole (Auckland) Midnight M'Lord 5, Carissa McGregor (Christchurch) Chatterton 6.