One Each to Australia and NZ at Showjumping's Holy Grail

New Zealand took out the young rider trans Tasman test, with the Aussies securing the senior. 

In the senior, World Champs hopeful Alison Rowland (Australia) aboard Bickley Brook Bella was the only combination to go double clear. Her team-mate Tom McDermott aboard Romantic Dream notched the only other clear of the round.

It was a different story in the second round, which saw clears from Rowland, Samantha McIntosh on Estina, Rory Hovell on Yalambi's Val d'Isere, Luke Dee on Ombudsman and Sharon Slater on CP Ulixes.

But it was all rather elementary, as the Kiwis carried 24 faults to the Australian's four into the second, where they added another four faults.

However, there were plenty of positives to come from the course, which was co-built by Gary Sinclair and Peter Cooke and praise from all angles for Kevin Hansen's vision in creating the event.

Cooke went as far as saying the venue and grounds were the best he had seen in a decade.

Australian chef d'equipe Ben Netterfield was rapt with the win, particularly as it was from a young crop of horses who were tilting towards the 2014 World Champs.

“New Zealand have already put on a wonderful show,” he said.

Kiwi chef d'equipe Richard Sunderland said it was disappointing to lose, but valuable experience for combinations not used to riding for a national team.

Young rider chef d'equipe John Cottle had more to celebrate. The second round saw a pressure-cooker clear round from team anchor Logan Massie (Dannevirke) on Kiwi Ludo. Ahead of him team-mates Bridget Hansen on Shakespeare NZPH and Melody Matheson on Cheltenham had also ridden brilliant clears.

The second and final round of the test series will be held at the Horse of the Year Show this week.

Mitavite Nations Cup Australia v New Zealand senior test: Australia (Alison Rowland, Bickley Brook Bella; Rory Hovell, Yalambi's Val d'Isere VDL; Sharon Slater, CP Ulixes; Tom McDermott, Romantic Dream) 4 faults 1, New Zealand (Katie McVean, Mystery Creek, Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark; Ross Smith, Canterbury, Quite Cassini; Samantha McIntosh, Cambridge, Estina; Luke Dee, Ocean Beach, Ombudsman) 28 faults 2.

Telecom Nations Cup Australia v New Zealand young rider: New Zealand (Rosie Commons, Auckland, Glenara Chandon; Bridget Hansen, Ocean Beach, Shakespeare NZPH; Melody Matheson, Hastings, Cheltenham; Logan Massie, Dannevirke, Kiwi Ludo) 12 faults 1, Australia (Jack Maunder, Cyra; James Arkins, Dreamtime Invader; Nicole Bruggemann, Blusta; Sarah Beale, Alphe Centauri) 16 faults 2.

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ