Late run not enough for equestrian riders

DOUBLE CLEAR: Briar Burnett-Grant, on Dollar Girl, was one of three Kiwi riders to go double clear in the final day of the young rider test against Australia. Picture by Paul Rickard

A FINAL-day victory for the Kiwis in the Trans Tasman Young Rider Test at the Larsen Sawmilling Showjumping Championships in Gisborne was not enough to give New Zealand the overall win, but it made the loss more palatable.

Australia headed into the third and final day in an unbeatable position but that didn’t stop the New Zealand riders from giving it their all.

Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) on Dollar Girl MS (owned by Matawhio Stud), Harry Feast (Christchurch) on Dunstan Springfield (owned by Katie Laurie and Sarah Milne) and Nakeysha Lammers (Hikurangi) on Lansbury Grove (owned by the Irvine family) all went double clear in the final two rounds.

Lily Tootill (Karaka) and Kitchwa (owned by Ella Davison) were unlucky to drop a single rail in the first round, but were all clear in the second.

For Australia, Jasmine Dennison on Cadbury (owned by Rick Shanks) and Madeline Sinderberry on Mosaic II (owned by Vicky Ridley) finished with clear slates. Mitchell Peulic and Delta Fasteuex (owned by Oliver Croucher) added eight faults, and Stephanie MacKillop on Ake Ake (owned by Amy Gravatt) picked up eight and four over the two rounds.

With just the best three rounds to count, it left the Aussies with four faults from the two rounds and the Kiwis all clear. The run of clears also meant two bonus points for the hosts, while the visitors picked up one for their efforts in the opening round on Sunday.

But in the end, the Australians won the test, 10 points to six.

Chefs d’equipe Kaye Williams (New Zealand) and Becky Jenkins (Australia) were chuffed with their riders.

“It was really a fabulous day,” Williams said.

“Everything went well for us today. Our riders had to grunt it out, show some face and win, and they did that very well.”

Jenkins is already planning on a rematch between the teams, albeit on her side of the Tasman.

“This has been a fantastic trip,” she said.

“I am very proud of my team, who showed good sportsmanship and rode very well.”