Kiwis seal showjumping test

DOUBLE CLEAR: Oliver Croucher, of Cambridge, rides Cheyenne on the way to one of only two double-clears in the transtasman showjumping test on Sunday. Cheyenne jumped double-clear on all three days, earning a special prize as the best-performed horse in the contest. Picture by Paul Rickard

New Zealand's young riders sealed the transtasman clash with a convincing win at the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships in Gisborne on Sunday.

The Kiwis ended up with 17 points from the three days of competition against their Australian counterparts, with the visitors on nine after finishing second each time.

Captain Ally Carson (Putaruru) led from the front, collecting just eight faults over the six rounds on three different horses, making her the “cleanest” rider in the event.

She congratulated the visitors on their performances and said she was going home “as one happy kid”.

Competitors all rode borrowed horses for the annual competition, with riders changing mounts each day. Olivia Dalton's Cheyenne was the best-performed horse, with a clean slate throughout and earning a special prize from Matthews Hanoverians.

On Sunday, double-clears came only from New Zealanders Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) and Oliver Croucher (Cambridge).

Kiwi chef d'equipe John Cottle was proud of his team.

“The Australians put up a great show,” he said.

Cottle is passionate about the continuation of transtasman team events and said he hoped they would continue.

“We all go around the country riding as individuals,” he said.

“It is nice to be in a team environment, which brings with it a whole different situation.”

He was chuffed, too, that the selectors had spread the net wider and brought in new riders.

“They all stood up and have done really well.”

Australian chef d'equipe Todd Hinde thanked the hosts and those responsible for the show.

“It has been tremendous,” he said, adding he was now on a mission to ensure a reciprocal event took place across the Tasman this year.

“I felt all the riders were outstanding, and the Kiwis deserved the win,” he said.

“All my riders represented our country so well and have been outstanding ambassadors.

“Cheyenne is an amazing mare to jump double-clear all three days.”

He thanked the owners for allowing their horses to be ridden in the competition.

Ally Carson (Putaruru) Juneau SSNZ (owned by Kate Herdson) 8-0; Olivia Dalton (Karaka) Rei Hui Wild Rose (owned by Ally Stevenson) 20-DNS; Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Louis (owned by Anna Frith) 0-0; Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) Cheyenne (owned by Olivia Dalton) 0-0. Total from best three rounds: 8 faults.

Chris Holland, Out Done (owned by Loran Mathis) 4 faults-0 faults; Clemency Hughes, Catapult Xtreme (owned by Emelia Forsyth) 5-0; Samantha Lamont, Showtym Distinction (owned by Ruby Rogers) 4-4; Sally Simmonds, L'Orame (owned by Meg Tregonning) 4-8. Total from best three rounds: 16 faults.

New Zealand 17, Australia 9.