Hoy Show: Laurie and 'Bart' too good

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Springfield celebrate the Lady Rider of the Year spoils at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings, today. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

A pregnant Katie Laurie was cool as a cucumber today as she clinched her fifth Lady Rider of the Year title in Hastings today.

The 29-year-old guided Dunstan Springfield with a clear third round in a nail-biting jump off to re-establish herself as the equestrian to beat at the annual Farmlands Horse of the Year Show.

"It is such a relief to have a good round on him," said Laurie of the 2014 Olympic Cup winner, known affectionately as Bart.

Longburn rider Lucy Akers, on Tinapai was runner up on a balmy day at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds during the Ultra Mox-sponsored class.

Thirty-five combinations started the first round with 26 - those with eight or fewer faults - coming back for the second round. Ten of those progressed with a clean slate.

Four remained in contention after that - Sam Morrison (Tauranga), on Frangipanne De Toxandria, Laurie and Bart remaining blemish free. Akers (Longburn) and Tinapai and Laurie progressed with Luego GNZ progressed with four faults each.

Results:
Ultra Mox Lady Rider of the Year: Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield 1, Lucy Akers (Longburn) Tinapai 2, Sam Morrison (Tauranga) Frangipanne De Toxandria 3, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Luego GNZ 4, Tegan Fitzsimon (Canterbury) Alacazam MH 5, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Supernova NZPH 6.