McVean Wins the Day for the Kiwis
Friday, 21 March 2014

A dream jump off between the golden girl of New Zealand showjumping and the current world champion produced a dream result for thousands at the NRM Horse of the Year Show in Hastings tonight (Friday).

Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) aboard Dunstan Springfield (owned by McVean, Sarah Milne and Chele Clarkin) and Philippe Le Jeune (Belgium) on Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) were the only two double clear in the $50,000 McMillan Feeds Silver Fern Stakes.

It wasn't just individual glory being sought, with the Mitavite Trans Tasman Test a part of the prestigious class.

With New Zealand and Australia tied, Billy Raymont joined the jump-off to decide the fate of the teams.

Seventeen started the class, with 11 coming back for the second round. Clear rounds were scarce in the first round, with just McVean and Le Jeune leaving everything up. Missing from the second round were many of the troublesome jumps of the first, giving eight combinations a clean slate.

But just Le Jeune and McVean were all clear forcing the jump-off.
McVean's sterling round also won the Trans Tasman Trophy for the Kiwis.

Results -
McMillan Equine Feeds Silver Fern Stakes: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield (owned by McVean, Chele Clarkin and Sarah Milne) 1, Philippe Le Jeune (Belgium) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) 2, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Estina (owned by Lakeridge Equestrian) 3, Billy Raymont (Australia) Stardom 4, Brook Dobbin (Australia) Silvo 5, Philippe Le Jeune (Belgium) Andretti (owned by Susie Hayward) 6.