NEW Zealand's showjumpers again proved victorious in the Trans-Tasman Cup at Kelt in the North Island.
The Australian team needed to save face after the 16-point trouncing it received in Hawera at the start of the month, but it was pipped in an exciting finish.
In the 1.45m class at the start of the week, Queenslander Paula Hamood was second and Victorian Timmy Clarke sixth among 42 starters.
Thursday's Lady Rider 1.40m class was won by Katie McVean and Dunstan Zimorena G with second place also going to New Zealand, through Rosie Commons aboard Glenara Chandon.
The Bell Tea Olympic Cup 1.50m class encompasses the team competition within the $39,000 individual classes.
Points in these two competitions - team and individual - are tallied to decide the Trans-Tasman Cup winnner.
The Australian team had one change when Victorian Brook Dobbin replaced Jamie Winning.
In the opening round, New Zealand's 25-year-old superstar and team captain McVean jumped the only clear round of the 24 starters, but the Aussie team came through one time penalty ahead of the Kiwis.
The battle was between McVean and Dobbin and in the end the Aussie team won by a point after the second round, for which half the field returned.
In the individual competition, it was standing-room only in the pavilions as McVean and Dunstan Daffodil manoeuvred their way around the course to win.
McKean has now won the Bell Tea Olympic Cup three times with three different horses.
The Australians were delighted to share in the prizemoney with Dobbin and the elegant grey Belcam Advisor in second place.
Equal third were Tim Clarke and Caltango, Maurice Beatson and the perennial My Gollywog and Evie Buller with Yalambi's Landor.
McVean will travel to Sydney next month with Dunstan Zimorena G to compete at the Royal Easter Show.
