New Zealand have retained the upper hand on the second day of the Trans-Tasman Young Rider clash at the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships in Gisborne this afternoon.

Kiwi captain Ally Carson (Putaruru) led by example with a double clear aboard Emelia Forsyth’s Catapult Xtreme with Aussie Samantha Lamont and Olivia Dalton’s Cheyenne also ending the day with a clean slate. Bagging single clear rounds were Chris Holland aboard Meg Tregonning’s L’Orame and Kiwi Oliver Croucher on Anna Firth’s Louis.

But others weren’t so lucky over the Heather Macdonald-designed course with an upright towards the end of the course proving a real bogey fence for many.

Today’s results see New Zealand on 11 points and Australia on six but it’s not a done deal yet and the test is still very much live.

Both chefs d’equipe praised their rides and the horses, who have all been loaned for the competition. Kiwi John Cottle was chuffed to see selectors bringing new blood into the team to expose the riders to team environment competitions. “It’s about getting the team riding where they are under pressure for the team, and not just the individual.”

Australian chef Todd Hinde said today’s competition had been a credit to both teams. “They all rode their horses exceptionally well and both rounds had come down to the fourth riders to decide the winner.”

Australian captain Sally Simmonds said it was great to be welcomed and treated so well on the back of all the craziness in Australia with the bush fires. Kiwi captain Ally Carson congratulated the visitors on their efforts and said they were all looking forward to tomorrow’s final rounds.

 

Results –

Trans-Tasman Young Rider: New Zealand – Ally Carson (Putaruru) Catapult Xtreme (owned by Emelia Forsyth) 0 faults-0 faults, Olivia Dalton (Karaka) Showtime Distinction (owned by Ruby Rogers) 8-8, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Out Done (owned by Loren Mathies) 4-8, Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) Louis (owned by Anna Frith) 4-0. Australia – Chris Holland, L’Orame (owned by Meg Tregonning) 0-8, Clemency Hughes, Juneau SSNZ (owned by Kate Herdson) 8-8, Samantha Lamont, Cheyenne (owned by Olivia Dalton) 0-0, Sally Simmonds, Rei Hui Wild Rose (owned by Ally Stevenson) 12-12. Best three scores from two rounds: New Zealand 16, Australia 24.

Points after two days: New Zealand 11 points, Australia 6.