Equestrian: Todd inspires McVean as World Cup final beckons

Katie McVean. File photo / NZ Herald

New Zealand's leading showjumper Katie McVean is hoping to take inspiration from the country's most celebrated horseman when she contests the World Cup final in Leipzig, Germany this weekend.

McVean, riding her talented 9-year-old mare Delphi, will line up as one of 11 women in a field of 43 for the discipline's biggest event just days after Mark Todd completed a fourth Badminton three-day event victory in England.

"It was awesome to hear that. He's just a legend," McVean said from Leipzig last night.

McVean and Delphi have been training with French coach Henk Nooran in their build-up.

Having finished a highly impressive fourth in a jumpoff in the combination's leadup event, the final European World Cup round at s'Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands last month, McVean's sights are on making the final stage in Leipzig.

"She jumped great there so we were very happy. I gave her a pretty easy couple of weeks after that. Now she's about ready and very frisky," the 24-year-old said. "I definitely want to make the final. But it will be tough."

Competitors have a speed round early tomorrow (NZT), and a second round early on Saturday. The top two-thirds of the field go into a two-round final on Monday.

Riders have been drawn from 14 qualifying leagues and will chase the sport's largest prize pool of €633,000 ($1.5 million).

Four disciplines will be contested at the one arena, with titles being decided in dressage, four-in-hand carriage driving and vaulting, in which riders perform gymnastic stunts on horseback.

McVean will chase qualification for next year's London Olympics in Aachen, Germany in July.