Equestrian: Pride at stake now that series decided

By MERILYN CHAMBERS

The Australians will be determined to show they are not completely outclassed when they contest the final of the transtasman showjumping series in Waiuku this weekend.

New Zealand clinched the inaugural three-test series with victory at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings last weekend.

The home team's 26 faults, compared with the Australians' 55, was twice the lead from the first test at Cambridge and showed potential for an Olympic team.

The visitors will be out to prove they can beat New Zealand, who have usually been the underdogs of Olympic-level showjumping.

The pressure seems to suit riding prodigy Katie McVean, of Matangi, who at 16 is New Zealand's youngest international showjumping representative. She excelled in the team competition as well as winning the Young Rider of the Year event for the second time.

McVean will be competing at the Isola Equestrian Centre on Dunstan Dolly, alongside experienced adult team-mates Maurice Beatson on Duty Free and Sally Anderson on Well Wisher, as well as Greg Best, an Olympic silver medallist for the United States.

Best, who has New Zealand citizenship, has ridden his American-bred Entrepreneur II to three World Cup wins, making the horse a strong contender for the next Olympics.

Best and Beatson have qualified for the World Equestrian Games in showjumping, but will not make the trip this year.

The series is the first New Zealand and Australia have run for a formal teams event in an Olympic format.

The team members will also ride as individuals over the three-day Isola festival, which begins today and ends with the grand prix and team event on Sunday. The venue is known for its challenging courses.

Riding for Australia are Andrew Lamb on Harvey, Hayley Kelly on Medicine Man, Adam Mellers on Ultimate and Brad Frankum on Pelican Rest Cougar.