Equestrian: Trent wins young rider duel

Auckland's Anna Trent won the battle of the young showjumping riders at the Counties-Manukau Classic Show at the weekend.

Trent, riding Lexicon, and Waikato's Katie McVean were the only combinations into the jumpoff from the 13 starters at the Equestrian Centre in Waiuku.

McVean and Lindberg Des Hayettes were the first out and jumped a clear round, coming home in 49.52 seconds.

With the pressure on, Trent produced the goods, slicing a corner to come home in 46.09sec.

Both have ridden for New Zealand through the grades with McVean spending some time offshore honing her skills.

Both featured again in the horse grand prix with McVean finishing third and sixth and Trent fifth, both conceding to one of New Zealand's master horsemen, John Cottle.

Cottle was one of four combinations from the original 14 starters who made it into the jumpoff.

Cottle, riding Kool Bananas, is known for his jumpoff skills and came home more than 3sec ahead of second-placed Leanne Chambers on Findas Keepas.

In the pony grand prix, it was Amy Schischka on As Good As Gold who stole the march on 20 other combinations.

RESULTS

Horse grand prix (two star):
John Cottle (Clevedon) Kool Bananas NZPH 1, Leanne Chambers (Drury) Findas Keepas 2, Katie McVean (Matangi) Lindberg Des Hayettes 3, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Tardak 4, Anna Trent (Auckland) Absolutely 5, Katie McVean (Matangi) Dunstan Hairy McLairy 6.

Pony grand prix (two star):
Amy Schischka (Waiwera) As Good as Gold 1, Rachel McGregor (Albany) Windward Flight 2, Matthew Dickey (New Plymouth) Wilful 3, Kimberly Winks (New Plymouth) Repias Rosie 4, Kendyll McAuley (Morrinsville) Murph 51 5, Edward Willis (Auckland) Kabo So Far 6.

Young rider series:
Anna Trent (Auckland) Lexicon NZPH 1, Katie McVean (Matangi) Lindberg Des Hayettes 2, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Imperial Diamond 3, Katie McVean (Matangi) Dunstan Hairy McLairy 4, Caroline Parkes (Gisborne) Bush Magic 5, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Tiara 6.

- NZPA