Equestrian: Aussies rule at Kihikihi horse trial

Shane Rose from Australia riding Taurus to victory. Photo / Christine Cornege

It was Australia all the way on the final day of the Kihikihi international horse trial yesterday.

Olympian Shane Rose cruised to individual victory aboard Taurus, with his Australian team also winning the senior transtasman teams competition for the first time on New Zealand soil.

A humble victor, Rose particularly wanted to catch the eyes of the London selectors during his fourth appearance at the event. He and groom Michelle Robson also picked up the prize for the best presented horse.

"The best way to perform as a team is to do well as an individual," he said.

Ten started the three-star showjumping phase, with just Australians Katja Weimann and Natalie Blundell jumping clear rounds inside the time limit.

Best performed of the Kiwis was Australian-based Joseph Waldron, who finished second on Springvale All Black.

Waldron was excited by his horse's efforts. "It's just awesome," he said. "The best thing is that it proves your horse power and makes you realise whether you've got a decent horse or not. He's a pretty special horse."

New Zealand team coach and adviser Tinks Pottinger said her team had done well, especially considering their inexperience.

"It's been a great learning opportunity for our four riders who have now earned their first New Zealand caps," she said. "It's good for them to see where they need to be to compete against the likes of this Australian team."