Equestrian: Third day to visitors but Kiwis claim win

Melody Matheson.

Australian's young rider team rallied yesterday in the final of the transtasman clash, but it wasn't enough to stop the Kiwis claiming glory at the Larsen Sawmilling Showjumping Championships in Gisborne.

The New Zealand team - Melody Matheson (Hastings), Olivia Robertson (Christchurch), Emily Fraser (Feilding) and Sam Morrison (Tauranga) - headed into the third and final day with an unassailable lead but, with nothing to lose the Australians - Jock Rice-Ward, Georgie Siciliano, Jamie Priestly and Sam Buchanan - gave it their all, saving a little dignity and taking the third day's competition.

Australian chef d'equipe and coach, Michelle Lang-McMahon, was full of praise for her young charges and the hospitality they had received while in New Zealand.

Robertson added to her success at the show with a solid victory in the Equissage Horse Grand Prix. Six of the 11 starters over the course - designed by John Vallance (Australia) - came back for the jump-off.

Robertson guided her European import DH's Ceniki to a lovely clear in 36.09 seconds.

Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) and Dunstan Springfield were deceptively fast over the ground to clear in 36.28 and place second, with Matheson and Landenfeld third with their clear efforts in 36.85.

The hotly-contested Country TV Pony Grand Prix saw Rotorua teen Oliver Croucher take on Charlotte Amos (Matamata), Maddison Bult (Kumeu) and Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) in the jump-off. Croucher had two horses, and was out second with Redcliffs Galeforce when he notched a super clear in 35.11 seconds. He had followed Amos and Captain Nemo, who laid the challenge with her clear in 38 seconds.

Hackett and Iamwhatiam looked to be giving his time a good nudge but the sparky little chestnut didn't want to jump the wall, costing time and gaining faults. Croucher came back with Delta JD and was again clear, but in a time of 35.29.

Bult finished on four faults in 36.17.

Croucher was stoked to win on Galeforce, who he describes as the greenest of his ponies, but the one with the most scope.