McVean Creates NZ Showjumping History

Olympic showjumper Katie McVean has created New Zealand equestrian history after finishing sixth in the FEI World Cup final in Leipzig, Germany, this morning.

Riding her home-bred mare Dunstan Delphi the 24-year-old from Mystery Creek was left ruing a rail and a time fault that made the difference between second and sixth.

However, she was still over the moon with her beautiful bay horse, and her placing is New Zealand's best ever at the World Cup final.

“It was so much bigger out there in the second round and Delphi was trying so hard,” said McVean after the class. “After that (rail) she was away again – I'm so very, very happy. It has been a dream.”

Dad Jeff, himself a competitor at World Cup finals, was ringside to watch his daughter and the horse he calls his “princess” ride in the event of their lives.

“I've always believed in her (Delphi) – she's a very good horse and still so inexperienced at this level.”

His excitement was tinged with “an element of disappointment” but he says they are still incredibly proud.

“She's a New Zealand bred horse and Kate has come out and matched it with the best – it's very good for her...for both of them.”

McVean picked up just over $15,000 Euros for her efforts.

Host nation Germany retained their stranglehold on the title with a calm and controlled clear at the crucial time by Christian Ahlmann aboard Taloubet Z. It was almost a Germany quinella but leader Marco Kutscher and Cash, the last to go in the final round, slid down the placings to fourth equal after a run of rails.

Superstar Hickstead and Eric Lamaze (Can) finished second on the back of his spectacular win yesterday.

Course builder Frank Rothenberger threw everything at the riders for the final two rounds – huge, challenging, technical and no room for error. Fences were 1.65m and more, and well suited to the big scopey German horses.

The final day was two full rounds for the top 27 combinations. McVean was incredibly unlucky to nudge the last fence, dropping the rail and giving she and Delphi four faults.

In the second round, she was going so well but dropped a rail early in the course and picked up a time fault. Just 19 came back for the second round.

New Zealand's previous best World Cup final result was from Olympian John Cottle and Arturo who finished 18^th in 1983 in the final in Vienna.

Results

Rolex FEI World Cup Final: Christian Ahlmann (Ger) Taloubet Z 4 penalties 1, Eric Lamaze (Can) Hickstead 10 2, Jeroen Dubbeldam (Ned) BMC van Grunsven Simon 11 3, Beezie Madden (USA) Coral Reef Via Volo 12 and Marco Kutscher (Ger) Cash 12 =4, Kevin Staut (Fra) Silvana de Hus, Pius Schwizer (Sui) Carlina, Geroc Schroder (Ned) Eurocommerce New Orleans and Katie McVean (NZL) Dunstan Delphi 13 =6, McLain Ward (USA) Antares F 14 10.

Source: Diana Dobson