Equestrian: NZ wins, but an Aussie takes big money home

New Zealand may have defeated Australia in the Nations Cup but the big bucks went across the Tasman when Billy Raymont won the Silver Fern Stakes at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings yesterday.

Raymont, aboard Cortaflex Levitation NZPH, flew to victory in a classy jump-off against countryman Clem Smith on Dark Ages and Waikato's in-form Olympian Katie McVean aboard her two mounts Dunstan Delphi and Dunstan Daffodil.

The Nations Cup, held as part of the class, belonged to Kiwis, who took to heart their instructions from high performance leader Richard Sunderland. "It may not be all about winning, but second just isn't good enough," he said before the competition. McVean (Mystery Creek), Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke), Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) and late call-up Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) did not let him down.

Cameron, back this week from competing in Korea, replaced captain Robert Steele who was injured in a fall.

All four went clear in the second round of competition, leaving the team with just five faults from their best three competitors over the two rounds.

The Australians finished on 29 faults from their best three scores over the two rounds, with just Smith on Dark Ages going double clear.

Raymont's team effort aboard Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH saw him taking two rails each round.

Raymont and Levitation were first to go in the jump-off and set a cracking pace, going clear in 43.41 seconds. They were followed by McVean on Delphi, coming home in 46.15sec. Her next horse, Daffodil, clocked the fastest time at 39.69sec but took a rail after slicing a corner. Smith was clear in 45.09sec.

"I prefer going out first," said 30-year-old Raymont, who pocketed $13,500 for his win.

Chiropractic student Carissa McGregor won Young Rider of the Year title.

- NZPA