Northland riders beat golden girl of New Zealand

Northland riders came in ahead of the golden girl of New Zealand showjumping, Katie McVean, at the Northland Area Two Star Showjumping Competition at Whangarei.

More than 200 riders with 261 horses took part in two days of showjumping and showhunter events at the Barge Showgrounds in Maunu at the weekend. Vicky Wilson, of Hukerenui, riding Ngahiwi Showtym Premier, was the first local to get in front of McVean, from Mystery Creek near Hamilton, who has represented New Zealand in showjumping in Europe and the United States.

The pair went to jump-off in the Kamo Vets Horse Mini Prix on Saturday, with Wilson going clear in 42.43s and McVean, on Dunstan Delilah, also clear but taking 44.25s for her round.

McVean then had to settle for third place in the rich Horse Grand Prix which had a total prize pool of $2000.

There were three in the jump-off with Paula Mussen, of Pukekohe, collecting the $650 first prize with her clear round on Meesbrooke Flintstone in 47.29s. Second was Amanda Wilson, of Hukerenui, with four faults and a time of 47.30s on Showtym Viking.

McVean also had four faults and recorded 50.91s for her round on Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark.

Vicky Wilson also went to jump-off on Showtym Viking in the Whangarei A&P; Young Rider class on Saturday. She had four faults, but her time of 44.21s beat Rosie Commons, of Henderson, on Glenara Shandon, who also had four faults but who took 49.5s for her round.

The FMG Pony Grand Prix yesterday went to Tegan Newman, of Kerikeri, riding Watch Me Move. Her clear round jump-off in 56.31s beat Nakeysha Lammers, of Hikurangi, on Airborne Magic, who had four faults in her 41.78s round.

Two Pukekohe riders battled for the lead in the IC Motors Pro-Am class for amateur riders over 22, with Glen Beal on Solano jumping clear in 38.21s to beat Sophie Boardman on Kaipara Beedle, who also went clear but took 39.21s for her round.

Ring 1 of the showjumping course was the second course designed by Garry Sinclair, of Upper Hutt, since he gained accreditation in Canada. Accreditation gives him the opportunity to design 12 courses anywhere in the world except for the annual World Cup or for the World Equestrian Games held every four years.