KEY POINTS:
Katie McVean leads a tightly-grouped foursome heading into the final round of the New Zealand showjumping World Cup series in Gisborne this weekend.
Just four points seperate the top four in the field, with Waikato's McVean on Hairy Maclary the baby of the field aged 20 but packing several years of experience.
She has 45 points, just one clear of Horse of the Year title holder Claire Wilson of Waipukurau, who has her eyes on the series title and a trip to Las Vegas to represent New Zealand at the World Cup final in April.
She will ride Sacred Hill Answer Back, one of the most talented horses on the national scene while her husband
A point behind Wilson is her husband Simon while former Olympian Maurice Beatson is a further point back in fourth.
The three-day Gisborne show, starting on Friday, has two rounds with full points up for grabs.
Saturday is a one round speed class, followed by Sunday's final, which will be one full round, with a selection of combinations going through to a jump off.
Standings:
Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 45 points, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) 44, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 43, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 42, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) 32, Robert Steele (Hawera) 29, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) 28, Anna Trent (Auckland) 22, William Willis (Auckland) 20.
- NZPA
