Kiwis pull ahead in young rider clash

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

New Zealand drew first blood in the Trans Tasman young rider clash at the Larsen Sawmilling Show Jumping Championship here yesterday.

Both teams picked up a bonus point in the first of two rounds on the first of three days of competition over the John Vallance-designed courses. However, the second round over 1.25m saw the Kiwis pull ahead after picking up another bonus for three clear rounds.

New Zealand opted not to start fourth rider Olivia Robertson (Christchurch) in the second round as with three clears already on the board, there was no need. The best three rounds count.

Also in the team are Melody Matheson (Hastings), Sam Morrison (Tauranga) and Emily Fraser (Feilding). Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) is reserve.

Robertson, Morrison and Matheson were part of the Kiwi team who lost to the Aussies in Sydney last year. The New Zealanders are keen to set the record straight after losing by a single fault.

Both teams are riding borrowed horses, which they will switch over the duration of the clash.

The New Zealand team are coached by American couple Duncan McFarlane and Helen Mcnaught-McFarlane, who shifted to New Zealand in 2014.