March 18, 2010

New Zealand's young rider team managed to get one back on their Queensland counterparts at the Horse of the Year show in Hastings yesterday, winning the second round of the Trans Tasman Challenge and tying up the points heading into the final day.

The Kiwis picked up a bonus point for three clears in a round - courtesy of Chloe Akers (Palmerston North), Helen Bruce (Palmerston North) and captain Tess Williams (Gisborne).

Akers and Williams also notched double clears, as did NZ composite team member Brad Cunningham (Christchurch).

Competitors in the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge are riding borrowed mounts who are swapped between the teams each day. The competition finishes today.

Results

Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge:
1 New Zealand
Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Mahoenui (owned by Ruth Hone) clear, clear;
Helen Bruce (Palmerston North) Snora (owned by Bailey Marshall) clear, 4 faults;
Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Kapka (owned by Susie Hamilton) 4 faults, 4 faults;
Tess Williams (Gisborne) Miss Victoria (owned by Devon van Til) clear, clear;
best from three over both rounds 4 faults.

2 Queensland
Olivia Hamood, Outward Bound (owned by the Bentall family) clear, 4 faults;
Kirsty Ansell, Fasaadi (owned by Jenna Mahoney) 8 faults, 8 faults;
Gemma Crighton, Sirocco Hercules (owned by John Couper) 4 faults, clear;
Tom Sedger, My Word (owned by Nadine McFadzien) 16 faults, 16 faults;
best of three over both rounds, 24 faults.

3 NZ Composite
Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Repias Harty (owned by Chris Hansen) 8 faults, 16 faults;
Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Pay Day NZPH (owned by Warrick Hansen) clear, clear;
Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Matakau (owned by Robyn Coupe) 16 faults, 4 faults;
Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Winard Albert (owned by Amanda Wards) 12 faults, 8 faults;
best from three 32 faults.

Points: NZ 6 points, Queensland 3, NZ Composite 1.
After two rounds: NZ 8 points, Queensland 8 points, NZ Composite 3 points.