Katie McVean is an old hand at winning but she's never had her name on the Olympic Cup for New Zealand showjumper of the year.
That all changed yesterday when the Waikato 21-year-old rode the big grey Dunstan Forest II to victory in the Olympic Cup on thefinal day of the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.
In an edge-of-your-seat finish, former Olympian McVean was the last to go in the second round of the $500,000 event.
She was the only clear rider of the first round from 20 starters and last of the 14 through to the second round.
Ahead of her, Dannevirke's Maurice Beatson on My Gollywog and Sue Thompson of Hastings on Air Hill the Rajah had both gone clear, bringing their totals to four faults each.
Around 20,000 spectators rode every fence with McVean and it was a hushed crowd that led her into the final fence - erupting when they cleared it.
McVean and 15-year-old Duncan Forest II only teamed up at Christmas when his previous rider Lisa Coupe headed offshore.
Their efforts bagged them $120,000, which McVean planned to spend on "something to do with horses".
"I never expected to come out and win this today."
It was the sixth time she had ridden in the class, and her biggest win. Last year she scooped the Lady Rider of the Year on Dunstan Hairy McClairy.
She is on the long list for the Beijing Games but said the only way she would want to be at the Olympics was on a horse she was confident could be competitive.
Finishing second were Beatson on his home-bred My Gollywog and Thompson on Air Hill the Rajah.
Defending champion Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) finished seventh equal with both his horses: JJ Freelance and Vancouver.
In dressage, Angela Fergusson (South Island) and Monique III were cool in winning the CDI grand prix freestyle title, edging out several more preferred combinations.
