A double-clear by Cambridge Olympian Katie McVean sealed the win in the top class at the New Zealand Showjumping championships held in Christchurch over the weekend.
Having finished second to Maurice Beatson in the Senior National Championship for the past two years, McVean had the prestigious Rutherford Cup clearly in her sights this time around.
Day one didn't quite go to plan with McVean and her number one ride Dunstan Delphi not able to pull the early lead in the speed competition, instead forced to settle for second place on 3.12 penalties behind arch rival Anna Trent and Cortaflex Levitation NZPH.
Both McVean and Trent also held third and fourth placing with Dunstan Daffodil and Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH respectfully going into the two-round competition on day two ahead of Christchurch's Chris Harris and Te Peka Luciano in fifth and McVean's Olympic horse Dunstan Forest 11 sixth.
With Delphi finishing double clear on the second day the pressure was on Trent and Levitation, but a rail down dropped them back to second behind McVean and Delphi. The order going into day three remained the same for the rest of the class.
With a two-round competition again on day three it was huge ask for these horses over the big and challenging tracks set by international course designer Gerrit Beker. Unfortunately Levitation, having gotten off to a good start, ran into trouble at the double, leaving plenty of breathing space for McVean and Delphi. The combination went on to seal their win with a polished double clear to take the national championship title for 2010.
An elated McVean said it was the biggest course yet for Delphi.
"It's very exciting and it has been good for Delphi to show she has been able to jump so consistently over these big tracks for three consecutive days - that is a really big ask, especially jumping at this height."
McVean now has some tough decisions to make looking ahead to her future with Delphi, but in the meantime the next big focus is the Horse of the Year Show next month.
McVean took out second place with Daffodil ahead of Trent and Nicalette third, Harris and Te Peka Luciano 4th, Levitation 5th and Forest 11 6th.
The one-star championship was convincingly won by Daniel Meech (Taupo) riding Hannah Burnett-Grant's Winston Darco V. The combination never dropped a rail over the three days finishing with just one penalty, a time fault incurred on day two. Vicky Wilson (Whangarei) and Showtym Girl took out 2nd ahead of Carissa McGregor (Canterbury) in 3rd, Wilson and Storm Dance 4th and Emma Power (Ashburton) Longridge Maverick 5th.
The Grand Prix pony champion was Amanda Wilson (Whangarei) with Showtym Viking, the six-year-old pony having just one rail down over the three days. Second went to the consistent South Island combination Olivia Roberston and Sweet Addition (Queenstown) ahead of Hannah Burnett-Grant ((Taupo) Mighty Maximus in third, followed by Alexa Randall (Auckland) Starlight Express (4th), Wilson and Showtym Gladiator (5th) and Robertson and Mr Black Magic (6th).
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