Equestrian: NZ rep takes showjumping quinella at Dannevirke

Katie McVean and Dunstan Daffodil. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

It was a Katie McVean showjumping quinella yesterday in the fifth round of the New Zealand World Cup qualifying series at the Central and Southern Hawkes Bay Show in Dannevirke.

Waikato rider McVean, 24, won the class on her top horse Dunstan Delphi and finished second on Dunstan Daffodil.

It is the first outing McVean and Delphi have had since they represented New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in October. Delphi was the only one of nine starters to jump double clear in the very challenging class.

The McVean camp rounded out the top three with McVean's riding partner - and groom in Kentucky - Lucy Akers and Tinapai placing third.

"Delphi was so good today but she's pretty tired now," said McVean yesterday, explaining the course is one of the longest the World Cup competitors will face throughout the series.

McVean will now rest Delphi until the World Cup round in Gisborne late this month, starting just Daffodil in Woodhill Sands next weekend.

- NZPA