Emotional Win for Katie Laurie in World Cup Series Final (NZ)

Katie Laurie pulled off a fairytale finish when she won the Ultra•Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand Series final at Woodhill Sands in Auckland today. 

It came right down to the wire at the Imake Showjumping World Cup Final Show – Laurie (Mystery Creek), a three-time winner of the series and New Zealand's best ever finisher at a world final, was the last to go. To win both the final and the series, she had to go clear on Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington).

Ahead of her, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) and Carnutelabryere had a total of four faults from their two rounds, with a smart time of 61.84 seconds from the shortened second round course.

Laurie had earlier gone clear on her other mount Dunstan Breeze, to finish on a total of four faults from the two rounds.

There was complete silence from the estimated 2000 people gathered around Woodhill Sand's beautifully presented ring, decorated to within an inch of its life with hundreds of flowers.

As she cleared the last jump, the crowd erupted. While a fourth series win is impressive for anyone, this was particularly poignant as it was aboard a horse owned by her dear friend Melanie Purcell, who died of cancer three years ago.

Purcell had long dreamt of taking Iron Mark to North America to compete, and Laurie's win means they will be at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas in April.

Today's win was especially emotional for Purcell's mother June Berrington.

“It is a dream come true,” she said. “It is incredible . . . also for all those who have been on this journey with us.”

Iron Mark was not always the superstar of today – Purcell had swooped him for a Holsteiner mare that she didn't particularly like.

Laurie was also very emotional.

“I have never cried coming out of a ring . . . until today. We had such a plan and now it will happen!”

The former Olympian and World Champs rider who is generally known for her cool head admitted she was feeling plenty of pressure today.

“It was something I just wanted so badly.”

She was also third aboard Dunstan Breeze.

Her victory in the final also gave her the Ultra•Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand series. McNaught-McFarlane, runner up in both the final and the series, was more than happy to play second fiddle today. Her nine-year-old horse Carnutelabryere is in a “learning” year, and every result was a bonus.

The quirky grey, who has quickly amassed his own fan club, dropped just a single rail over the two rounds, and his rider was taking the blame for that.

“No one minds being beaten by a good horse and rider,” said McNaught-McFarlane. “They deserved that win.”

She was rapt with the efforts of Carnutelabryere, and praised both the course builder Gerrit Beker (Tauranga) as well as those who had dressed the ring so beautifully, calling it truly world class.

Nine started the final, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) and Ngahiwi Showtym Premier were clear in the first, but picked up a single time fault. Their second round saw another eight faults added, for a total of nine, but they still held on to fourth place.

Fifth was her younger sister Amanda aboard Showtym Cassanova, with Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) and Shakespear NZPH sixth.

Jesse Linton (Hastings) and Strathcarron Zaurak (owned by Sue Thompson Brown) were out of the money today, but their efforts saw them finish third in the series.

Results -

Ultra•Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand Series final: Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) 1, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) Carnutelabryere 2, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Breeze 3, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Ngahiwi Showtym Premier 4, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Cassanova 5, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespear NZPH 6.

Ultra•Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand Series (best four rounds): Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) 87 points 1, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) 82 2, Jesse Linton (Hastings) 58 3.

Goldengrove Seven Year Old Series: Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) Unlimited NZPH 1, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Ulyssess NZPH 2, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Connoisseur 3, Sean Cubitt (Cambridge) Bates Corradino 4, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Ake Ake 5, Carissa McCall (Auckland) Esteban MVNZ 6.

Canterbury Equestrian Young Rider Series: Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Ngahiwi Telephonic 1, Lily Tootill (Karaka) Ngahiwi Cruise 2, Samantha Morrison (Tauranga) Biarritz 3, Rebekah van Tiel (Auckland) Adeaze 4, Emily Hayward Morgan (Te Awamutu) AP Ninja 5, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Roulette MH 6.

Pro Amateur Rider Series: Megan Lindemann Cohen (Clevedon) Lesbos D'Quilly 1, Daniel Blundell (Auckland) Colette 2, Emma Gaze (Cambridge) Jitterbug 3, Lucia Voss (Kawerau) Roxy NZPH 4, James Jackson (Ngaruawahia) Coco FS 5, Philippa Duley (Walton) Bayley Road 6.

Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Carissa McCall (Auckland) Cera Caruso, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Eve Saint Laurent, Tom Tarver-Priebe (Kawerau) Fiesta MVNZ, Elle Phillips (Hamilton) Another Billion =1.

East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Series: Kate Hewlett (Kerikeri) Capatino GNZ, Victoria Rattray (Mangatangi) Lafayette CSNZ, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Oncore =1.

Caledonian Amateur Rider Series: Amy Schischka (Waitemata) Hollywood Wannabe 1, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Eve Saint Laurent 2, Kirsten Kelly (Auckland) Taurimea Donegal 3, Joanna Bullock (Waitemata) Weiti Justice 4, Victoria Rattray (Mangatangi) Versace NZPH 5, Jordyn Becconsall (Tauranga) Tikitibu 6.

Telford Junior Rider Series: Lucy Bull (Taupo) Chequebook 1, Samantha Morrison (Tauranga) Cool Encounter 2, Ruby Hilhorst (Atiamuri) Leeston Eagle 3, Samantha Bult (Karaka) Samuel Something 4, India Causebrook (Pukekohe) Westminster Rock 5, Lily Tootill (Karaka) Ulysses NZPH 6.

Pony Grand Prix: Sharnay Lammers (Whangarei) Watch Me Move 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Pioneer Jade 2, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Kabo Silver 3, Elmo Jackson (Auckland) Simply Samantha HH 4, Maddison Bult (Karaka) Mr Black Magic 5, Maddison Bult (Karaka) Pioneer High Jinx 6.

1.35m-1.4m championship: Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Breeze 1, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Frangipanne de Toxandria (owned by Jill Morrison) 2, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespear NZPH 3, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Cadet MVNZ 4, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Cormina Obolensky 5, Samantha Peters (Whangarei) Casali 6.