Equestrian: McVean and Beatson look to build on lead

Katie McVean. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Katie McVean and Maurice Beatson are hoping to build on their healthy lead in the New Zealand World Cup showjumping series at the Christmas Classic in Taupo this weekend.

McVean, of Mystery Creek, has a four-point buffer over Dannevirke's Beatson, with a further 11 points back to Tess Williams, of Gisborne. She will start Dunstan Daffodil while Beatson has his home-bred horse My Gollywog entered.

The fourth round of the series on Saturday is the highlight of the three-day classic, which is followed by Taupo Derby Day Championship on Sunday.

Williams will also be lining up in the World Cup on grey Alltech Craighaven Nitro, as will Phillip Steiner, of Tauranga, on both Annandale Online NZPH and Waitangi Triple X.

The, which will be held at the National Equestrian Centre, has attracted more than 800 combinations. It has been running for more than 20 years and is the largest single discipline competition in New Zealand, second only in size to the Horse of the Year show.

Bomac World Cup (NZ series) points: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 38 points, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 34, Tess Williams (Gisborne) 23, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 22, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) 22, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) 14, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) 10, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) 7.