Australian Jumping Team Wins at HOY to Tie the Trans-Tansman Series

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 very happy 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 Clarke finished 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 (bySalute 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

 

 

Report by Vicki Roycroft – Australian Team Chef d’Equipe

After a sound defeat in the first Trans-Tasman Test at Hawera Show, my team was determined to do better at this show, New Zealand’s biggest.  Unfortunately, Jamie Winning’s Congo Z wasn’t himself, and Jamie and I decided that it would be best if he didn’t run in the team, so Brook Dobbin and Advisor, as 1^st reserves (or 3^rd reserve from our original team!) came into the fray.

Leopoldo Palacious from Venezuela set a testing track of around 1.50, which was technical enough, and with no treble combination, but three doubles.  An open water, which interestingly enough, had a pole over it for the second round, increased the 12 fence test.  Both teams were required to jump the same course both rounds.  Brett Warren and Cheezy Z were our pathfinders, and after a tentative start, had 2 poles hit the floor.  Individual Aussie Paula Hamood on Nero was in the lead in the individual standings with 4 faults.  Brook Dobbin was second for our team and jumped a copybook clear, which was only equaled by Kiwi anchor Katie McVean on Dunstan Daffodil.  Evie Buller and Landor again gave a mature performance, despite a sticky moment at the water with an 8 fault round, then Tim Clarke provided a solid 4 fault round on Caltango to give us a 1 fault lead over the Kiwis at the halfway stage.

Brett then rode a much better round to just have a very cheap rail out of the first vertical-oxer double.  Brook added in the first vertical, oxer line to just touch out a back rail, but that was good enough to give him  2^nd Individually, with Katie McVean being the only double clear round.  Evie came back with a foot perfect clear this time round, and with that the Team title was ours.  Tim and Caltango had the same wretched rail as the first round, back rail going into an oxer-vertical double which saw him equal 3^rd with Evie individually.

Magnificent effort by a great team, and I was a very proud Chef who received the trophy, sponsored by Mitavite Feeds at the subsequent presentation in front of a packed house.  This is an outstanding show on every level, with a great atmosphere and the hospitality extended to the Aussies has been wonderful. 

Many thanks to Kevin Hansen and his team. 

Quick Link

• For more information on the 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show please see www.hoy.co.nz

Story & Photo: Equestrian Australia