Vicky Wilson had enough points in the bank to hold off the hard-working Aaron MacPherson in the final round of the Northland Open Horse showjumping mini-circuit at Barge Park on Sunday.
Wilson and her horse Wurlitzer had built up a clear lead over the rest of the field after round nine
and won the competition with 69 points, despite missing the final round to compete in the Taupo Christmas Classic over the weekend.
MacPherson rode well in her absence to close the gap between them but couldn't get past Wilson despite putting in a considerable effort.
MacPherson rode four mounts at Sunday's event and ended up winning the two next placings in the horse over-1.1m class.
He was second on Debbie Langwell's horse Master Plan with 63 points and third on his own horse, Kronder of Renton, with 60 points.
It was a fitting end to MacPherson's final season here for a while, as he prepares to further his equestrian career overseas in the near future.
Kiristy Bale held off Vicki Berger to win the Open Pony competition with a total of 88 points to Berger's 81.
The win capped off a great double for Bale after she was the top qualifier for the Northland junior dressage team on Saturday for the dressage nationals in Taupo in February.
Berger riding Classic Cowboy narrowed the gap on Bale at Sunday's event but Bale, riding Thundermountain Little Ben, had established a good lead going into the final round of the competition.
The pair had obviously attended most, if not all of the 10 rounds in the competition, because they were streaks ahead of the next rider Hannah Harding, on Flying Legacy, who took third place with 40 points.
Jessica Carter on Sheeza Cherokee won the Dunstan Pony training class, 10 points ahead of Amanda and Kelly Wilson in second place.
The sisters jointly rode Showtym Nip `n Tuck in the competition and they finished ahead of Racquelle Gibberd riding Sundance Freckles, who was third.
In the Dunstan Horse Training class Laura Greening, riding Native Navana, edged out Michelle Boyce-Bacon on Indy and Ria Gunson riding The Kats Whiskers.
