Katie Laurie is on a roll, winning her second Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup Qualifying round in Feilding this evening.
The former Olympian from Mystery Creek, who can also lay claim to New Zealand’s best ever result from a World Cup final with her sixth equal efforts aboard Dunstan Delphi, tonight guided Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) to victory over the Gary Sinclair (Levin) designed course.
But Laurie didn’t have it all her own way, with a mighty challenge from Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) aboard Carnutelabryere. In the second round, Laurie had gone clear in 47.42 seconds, with just McNaught-McFarlane able to pull her back.
And she nearly did, but paid for her speedy 45.46 time with a rail, giving her second place.
Eight of the 13 starters came back for the second round, with the two top women claiming the only clears.
In the second round, first timer Lydia Quay (Taranaki) and her home produced horse Kaipara Double Dee producing a thrilling clear, in a time that saw them finish in fifth place.
Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and My Gollywog claimed third place with his second round clear efforts, with Laurie fourth on nine-year-old import Frangipanne de Toxandria (owned by Jill Morrison) in their first ever World Cup start.
Laurie was rapt with the efforts of Iron Mark, who seems to finally be enjoying a little luck going his way. Tonight was just his second World Cup victory.
“He was very very good,” she said. “He just jumped great.”
And Frangipanne also drew praise, with Laurie saying the horse’s green mistakes in the first round, were forgotten with her clear round in the second.
“She got the idea of what she was meant to be doing in the second round, which was really great.”
Laurie’s win has opened up her lead on the points table, and she now sits 10 points clear of McNaught-McFarlane, with Beatson another five adrift. With just three of the six competitions to count in the series, riders will be looking to stay in touch and strike during the final where points and a half will be on offer.
The winner of the series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the world final in Las Vegas next year – something Laurie is particularly keen on doing.
Results -
Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand Qualifying Series (third competition): Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) 1, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) Carnutelabryere 2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 3, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Frangipanne de Toxandria (owned by Jill Morrison) 4, Lydia Quay (Taranaki) Kaipara Double Dee 5, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespear NZPH 6.
Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand Qualifying Series, current standings after three competitions (best three to count): Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) 57 points 1, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) 47 2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 42 3, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) 32 4.
