Equestrian: Last fence just cleared to take third title

Katie McVean on Zimorena was one of the few to get a clear round at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today.

A big rattle at the last fence didn't stop Katie McVean winning her third lady rider of the year title at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings yesterday.

The 25-year-old Olympian had two horses through to the seven-strong jump-off.

A classy 43 combinations rode the first round but very few managed to go inside a tight time over the course designed by Venezuelan Leopoldo Palacios. Clear rounds were scant, so those through to the jump-off deserved the honour.

McVean and her imported chestnut mare Zimorena were first out and flew around.

A big gallop into the last was beautifully judged and while the fence took a bit of a whack, it stayed in place, the clock stopping at a speedy 42.54.

Riding Dunstan Zasjany, McVean was last to go and left everything up in 47.08 to take fourth.

She previously won the title in 2007 with Dunstan Hairy McClairy and in 2010 with Dunstan Daffodil.

The eight-year-olds have now finished the main part of their show, leaving the big stuff up to Daffodil, who will start in the $50,000 Silver Fern Stakes and the $200,000 Olympic Cup.

The Horse of the Year Show continues to Sunday when the Olympic Cup will be presented to the show-jumper of the year. Australia and New Zealand face off tonight in the second of a two-test transtasman series.