Australia consolidated their lead in the Trans-Tasman senior competition at the Kihikihi international horse trial today, but not without some heart-stopping moments.
Both New Zealand and Australia had a team-member eliminated -Christine Bates of Australia headed to hospital with concussion after a fall from her horse Delago, Karaka rider while Simon Gordon came unstuck at the second water combination.
New Zealand's Joseph Waldron and All Black rode an impressive clear to pick up just 8.4 penalty points for time, while overnight leader Shane Rose of Australia and Taurus were all class on their way to clear with 5.2 penalty points for time.
Kiwi chef d'equipe Jean Johnstone was proud of her team's efforts.
"It was fantastic to see [Waldron] on his first big outing for New Zealand having such a great round. It was a testing course as both teams discovered ... but the competition isn't over yet."
