Equestrian: Kiwi rider off to flying start in US

Katie McVean says her top-20 finish in the speed round is the perfect start to her world equestrian games campaign. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

New Zealand showjumper Katie McVean and Dunstan Delphi kick-started their world equestrian games campaign in Kentucky yesterday with a clear round in the speed class.

The Mystery Creek combination were the last of the New Zealand showjumpers to go and finished 17th in a field of 121, stopping the clock at 77.75 seconds.

The speed round sees faults turned into time, so the pressure is on right from the start.

The class was won by Mario Deslauriers (USA) on Urico in 71.25, with McLain Ward (USA) and Sapphire second in 71.79 and Sandor Szasz on Moosbachhofs Goldwing-Hann third.

The United States head the team competition, with Germany second and France third. New Zealand are 20th.

The course proved a challenge for some of the world's best yesterday but McVean and Delphi were all class in the main arena.

McVean was delighted with her 9-year-old mare's efforts.

"I don't think I have even been so nervous in my life," she said. "I'm still shaking - but she was just brilliant."

McVean said it was an ideal way to get their world games under way.

"It's a perfect start. Last night she was a little hot but jumped well - she's good when she's like that ... really focused and ready to go."

McVean's teammates didn't fare quite so well. Samantha McIntosh on Loxley 38 had an unfortunate rail, while Guy Thomas on Peterbilt and Maurice Beatson on Apollo van Evendael had fault-filled rounds - Thomas on 96.64 and Beatson on 117.49.

McIntosh, who has ridden in five European Championships, two World Games and one Olympics for Bulgaria, is on debut for New Zealand. She was also happy with her horse yesterday who finished in 82.1 seconds.

"He's no speed horse, and classes like that are the most challenging for him, but he is feeling the best he possibly could."

Beatson (Dannevirke) and Apollo van Evendael paid the price for an unfortunate slip on the tarmac on the way back from the trot-up.

For Beatson, who last rode at world games in 1994, it was heart-breaking.

"He skinned himself pretty badly and cut his leg - it was touch and go as to whether he would even be okay to start this morning," he said.

"He improved a lot overnight but he wasn't an easy ride out there because he was just not manoeuvrable and was lacking in energy. The timing couldn't be worse."

Treatment is continuing and Beatson is hopeful the horse will be back to normal in time for the start of the teams' classes.

California-based New Zealander Thomas and Peterbilt have also been hindered by injury. The horse had an abscess and has not had the most ideal build-up to the games.

- NZPA