Equestrian: McVean faultless in winning her fifth JB Olympic Cup

Katie McVean guides Dunstan Springfield over a jump in Hastings. Photo / Christine Cornege

The queen of New Zealand showjumping won her fifth JB Olympic Cup at the NRM Horse of the Year Show in Hastings yesterday.

Katie McVean notched the only double clear aboard Dunstan Springfield. It was her fifth win from five different horses and this time she also beat world champion Philippe Le Jeune (Belgium), who was riding her other horse Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark.

"It was unbelievable out there," said McVean.

It was the same horse she won the New Zealand world cup final on this season. "Those were two tough rounds out there. It meant so much to me today because he tried so hard. He has only jumped three star level since January."

McVean was the only clear in the first round, with Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) on Estina, Le Jeune on Andretti and young guns Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) on Ombudsman and Sarah Beale (Australia) on Alpha Centauri all on four faults.

But McVean's doubles clear rounds meant she couldn't be touched with Le Jeune, Dee and McIntosh all on four faults and sharing second place.

Eventing winner (3*) was Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) and Dressage Horse of the Year rider was Bill Noble (Waikato).