Australia clinched the second Trans-Tasman Jumping competition by just one point at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings (NZL) on Friday 16 March.
The Australian Team (Brett Warren, Brook Dobbin, Evie Buller and Tim Clarke) took a narrow one-point advantage in the first round and maintained the lead to finish on 20 points ahead on New Zealand’s 21 points.
The Mitavite Trans-Tasman competition was held in conjunction with the 1.50m $50,000 CRT Silver Fern Stakes.
Our team was very consistent, which is what won us the class,” commented Chef d’Equipe Vicki Roycroft.
“Eight faults was our worst score in each round which is a great result across the board.
“This was a very good team, New Zealand is extremely hard to beat on their own turf but our guys were tough and consistent. I am veryhappy with them all,” added Roycroft.
Brett Warren was the first rider out for Australia on the experienced Cheezy Z posting a total of 12 faults across the two rounds (8/4). Brook Dobbin and his 13-year-old grey gelding Advisor jumped a clear first round and a 4 fault second round to finish the class in second place individually.
Young rider Evie Buller and Yalambi’s Landor put in great effort for a total of 8 faults (8/0) as did Australia’s final rider Tim Clarke on Caltango who also posted 8 faults (4/4). Buller and Clarkefinished the class in equal third individually.
New Zealand's Katie McVean, 25, won the CRT Silver Fern Stakes on her 11-year-old grey mare Dunstan Daffodil (by Salute the Stars). Successfully defending their title from 2011, the pair out-classed the competition posting two clear rounds.
New Zealand led the two competition Trans-Tasman series going in to Friday’s class following a decisive win in Hawera earlier this month. However, the strong Australian Team performance saw the visitors finish on top this time – levelling the series one all.
Results
Mitavite Trans Tasman Test:
1. Australia (Brett Warren, Brook Dobbin, Evie Buller and Tim Clarke) 20 faults
2. New Zealand (Katie McVean, Simon Wilson, Lisa Coupe and Bernard Denton) 21 faults
CRT Silver Fern Stakes:
1. Katie McVean (Mystery Creek, NZL) Dunstan Daffodil
2. Brook Dobbin (Yarra Glen, Vic) Advisor
=3. Evie Buller (Darkan, WA) Yalambi's Landor
=3. Tim Clarke (Grassmere, Vic) Caltango
=3. Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke, NZL) My Gollywog
6. Simon Wilson (Waipukurau, NZL) Swinger
7. Brett Warren (Traveston, Qld) Cheezy Z
For more information on the 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show please see www.hoy.co.nz
