Equestrian: Clear round gives Laurie the title

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark clear the rails in a perfect series-winning display. Photo / Dean Purcell

Last-starter’s victory means rider can take horse owned by late friend to Las Vegas event in April.

Katie Laurie pulled off a fairytale finish when she won the FEI World Cup New Zealand Series final at Woodhill Sands in Auckland yesterday.

It came right down to the wire at the Showjumping World Cup Final Show - Laurie, a three-time winner of the series and New Zealand's best finisher at a world final, was the last to go. To win both the final and the series, she had to go clear on Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark.

Ahead of her, Helen McNaught-McFarlane and Carnutelabryere had a total of four faults from their two rounds, with a smart time of 61.84 seconds from the shortened second round course.

Laurie had earlier gone clear on her other mount Dunstan Breeze, to finish on a total of four faults from the two rounds.

There was complete silence from the 2000 people gathered around Woodhill Sands' well-presented ring, and as she cleared the last jump the crowd erupted.

While a fourth series win is impressive for anyone, this was particularly poignant as it was aboard a horse owned by her friend Melanie Purcell, who died of cancer three years ago.

Purcell had long dreamt of taking Iron Mark to North America to compete, and Laurie's win means they will be at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas in April.

Yesterday's win was emotional for Purcell's mother June Berrington.

"It is a dream come true," she said. "It is incredible . . . also for all those who have been on this journey with us."

Iron Mark was not always the superstar - Purcell had swapped him for a Holsteiner mare that she didn't particularly like.

Laurie, the former Olympian and World Champs rider who is generally known for her cool head, admitted she was feeling plenty of pressure.

"It was something I just wanted so badly."

She was also third aboard Dunstan Breeze. Her victory in the final also gave her the FEI World Cup New Zealand series. McNaught-McFarlane, runner up in both the final and the series, was more than happy to play second fiddle yesterday. Her nine-year-old horse Carnutelabryere is in a learning year, and every result was a bonus.

The quirky grey, who has quickly amassed his own fan club, dropped just a single rail over the two rounds, and his rider was taking the blame for that.

"No one minds being beaten by a good horse and rider," said McNaught-McFarlane. "They deserved that win."

She was rapt with the efforts of Carnutelabryere, and praised both the course builder Gerrit Beker as well as those who had dressed the ring so beautifully, calling it truly world class.

Nine started the final. Vicki Wilson and Ngahiwi Showtym Premier were clear in the first, but picked up a single time fault.

Their second round saw another eight faults added, for a total of nine, but they still held on to fourth place.

Fifth was her younger sister Amanda aboard Showtym Cassanova, with Bridget Hansen and Shakespear NZPH sixth.

Jesse Linton and Strathcarron Zaurak were out of the money yesterday, but their efforts saw them finish third in the series.