Katie Laurie may have won nearly every trophy going on the New Zealand showjumping circuit, but today she added a very special one to the cabinet when she took out the Ultramox FEI World Cup New Zealand at Mystery Creek.
Aboard Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington), Laurie won the class, and also the Gavin Pike Memorial Trophy, which was donated by her parents Jeff and Vicki McVean in honour of Vicki’s brother.
Even more special, the tray was initially won by Jeff McVean in 1979 at Hickstead in the United Kingdom aboard the New Zealand bred Copper Royal.
The victory today was Iron Mark’s first world cup win as well as Laurie’s first world cup victory at Mystery Creek.
“I have tried to win this (trophy) a lot, and have been second I think five times, so it a special win,” said Laurie.
Iron Mark’s owner Berrington accepted the trophy alongside Laurie.
“Mark is 100% genuine,” said Laurie. “He jumps really well indoors, so I thought I would just concentrate on him today – besides, I really want to try and get him to Vegas,”
The winner of the New Zealand World Cup Series has the opportunity to represent the nation a the world final, which in 2015 is in Las Vegas.
“Mark actually helped me out today too – we had a hairy moment going into the water and he just took over and fixed it.”
Today’s course was designed by Germany’s Frank Rothenberger, who has designed courses at Olympics, world champs, world cup finals and other top events.
“That was a real treat,” said Laurie. “It was a very nice course and it is great to have him building here.”
Thirteen started the two round class, with just previous series winners Laurie and Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) aboard My Gollywog going clear. Ten came back for the second round, carrying their faults. This time there were also clears from Sally Steiner (Tauranga) aboard On The Point Slick Chic and the very in-form Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) on Carnutelabryere, as well as Laurie and Beatson.
However, Laurie was just a snippet faster to take the class ahead of her long time rival and former World Champs team-mate. It is the second of the six qualifying world cup rounds being held this season, with just the best three to count..
Results -
Ultramox FEI World Cup: Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 2, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) Carnutelabryere 3, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Ngahiwi Showtym Premier 4, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Turn It Blue NZPH 5, Nicki Booth (Masterton) Edana Van Overis 6.
Goldengrove Stud Seven Year Old Series: Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 1, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Connoisseur 2, Rachel McGregor (Cambridge) Equador MVNZ 3, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Quango 4, Elmo Jackson (Auckland) Unlimited NZPH 5, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Ulysses NZPH 6.
Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Lisa Cubit (Cambridge) Velvet NZPH and Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Eve Saint Laurent =1.
Five Year Old Series: Hannah Bodle (Morrinsville) Whakanui Del Amor and Caitlin McKee (Hamilton) Platinum Pollyanna =1.
Telford Junior Rider Series: Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 1, Anna Cooper (Kamo) Rewetu Lad 2, Maddison Bult (Karaka) Good Golly Miss Molly 3, Laura Lush (Waiuku) Macavee 4, Nakeysha Lammers (Northland) Skewy 5, Lily Tootill (Karaka) Phoebe Nimmerdor 6.
Caledonian Amateur Rider: Andrea Kewish (Cambridge) Spring Fling 1, Diane Gilder (Matangi) Your Attorney 2, Candice Fox (Karaka) Bush Magic 3, Melanie Dudding (Tuakau) Country Vogue 4, Jessica Connell (Matamata) Tiaratyme 5, Cameron McKenzie (Te Awamutu) L’Orame 6.
Pony Grand Prix: Maddison Bult (Karaka) Pioneer High Jinx 1, Sharnaye Lammers (Northland) Watch Me Move 2, Jaimie Jefferson (Ngaruawahia) Envious Edition 3, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Mighty Maximus 4, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Kabo Silver 5, Sharnaye Lammers (Northland) Airborne Magic 6.
Pro Amateur Rider Series: Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Super Nova 1, William Willis (Auckland) Dollar Roll MS 2, Natashya Lammers (Northland) Telestar 3, Candice Fox (Karaka) Wardance II 4, Samantha Peters (Whangarei) Zabambi 5, Mathew Dickie (Taranaki) Kiwi Rock 6.
Young Rider Series: Rosie Commons (Auckland) 42 Below 1, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Roulette MH 2, Lucy Allen (Morrinsville) Witheze 3, Samantha Morrinson (Tauranga) Biarritz 4, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Ngahiwi Telephonic 5, Laura Inkster (Papakura) Cabana 6.
