Equestrian: McVean aims for repeat victory in Cup series

Katie McVean hopes to make it to the final in Germany with Dunstan Daffodil. Photo / APN

Leading New Zealand showjumper Katie McVean has Germany and London on her mind going into the final two rounds of the New Zealand World Cup series in Tauranga, starting today.

McVean, 24, has a 24-point cushion on Tauranga rival Ike Unsworth. The Mystery Creek rider is aiming to repeat her victory in the series from last year.

She has been in good form with her horses Dunstan Delphi and Dunstan Daffodil, who are half sisters out of her father Jeff McVean's World Cup mare Flower Power.

McVean, a member of the World Equestrian Games team in Kentucky last year, has her sights on the World Cup final in Leipzig in April, which is the reward for victory this weekend.

Further down the line are the London Olympics next year. But it's first things first for McVean.

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

Irrespective of how many starters a rider has in the event, they must nominate their best chance and only that horse's score counts.

The World Cup speed class is on today with the second round, comprising two full rounds, at Tauranga Racecourse on Sunday.

McVean has 57 points, Unsworth 33, with another Tauranga rider, Phillip Steiner on 32 sitting third.