By Diana Dobson

It’s two from two for Morrinsville teen Emma Watson who has just received confirmation she will be heading to the 2017 FEI Children’s International Classics Final in Beijing.

Watson was the best of the young Kiwis at the Glistening Waters 2017 Equestrian Sports New Zealand Jumping Series Final Show in March.

“I am really excited,” said Watson. “It is exciting to get a second opportunity to do the final again.”

Watson finished 16th overall, won the personality award and was seventh in the speed class at the 2016 final, which was held in Mexico in January.

“I didn’t think I had a good chance this year,” she said. “I didn’t do that well in the qualifier . . . I had one down so wasn’t expecting to go. It was a big surprise when I got the email.”

Sixteen athletes will compete aboard borrowed horses at the final, which is being hosted in Beijing from December 28-January 1.

Watson will be accompanied by her mother Melissa and possibly by her trainer Jeff McVean.

She has had a solid start to the season with both her horses and ponies and is looking forward to a cracker.

New Zealand finished on 21 faults, placing fourth out of the 13 countries taking part in the teams event. In all, 31 countries had 142 athletes compete. Watson topped the FEI group VIII, which also included Japan. New Zealand was just the second country in the world to hold its event.

Sharn Al Assad (SYR) and Crinch were the top ranking individual combination, finishing on zero faults in the gold tour.