From HOrsetalk.co.nz (dated 25 April 2010)

The New Zealand Young Rider eventing team has retained the Trans Tasman Challenge in a climatic finish as part of the South Island FEI Three Day Event.

Heading into the final day of competition the New Zealand team was dealt two blows with the loss of Devan Wilson and Upbeat Lady, and Simon Gordon with Simply Mitch, who were both withdrawn. The team went into the show jumping with five rails in hand over the Australians, who were also down to three team members, meaning all scores would count for the final team standings.

First to go for the Aussies, Elizabeth Moore on Sebastian Bach, gave the Kiwis some further breathing space when they took a rail. Kiwi Douglas Thomson was the next to go, producing a perfect clear round. Next in was Australia's Crystal Conning, riding Marcus Aurelius, who also had four faults. The last rider for the Aussies Jessica Manson on Legal Star produced a clear round upping, the pressure of the two remaining Kiwi riders.

Taumaranui's Ashleigh McKinstry on Pioneer Makokomiko rose to the challenge, producing a foot perfect clear round, cementing New Zealand's position with one rider to go. The leader going into the show jumping, Ashburton's Larissa Srhoy on Starburst, was last to go. Not renowned for their show jumping prowess, Srhoy rode a confident round to finish with eight faults, giving the Kiwi team a clear victory.

"I am absolutely delighted. I thought it was well-deserved; it shows what talent we have in store for the future," said New Zealand team coach Tinks Pottinger.

McKinstry's strong performance also gave her victory in the Tavern Harewood CCI2* competition from Australian Jessica Manson on Legal Star. With her two rails down Srhoy had to settle for third.

In the Devi Heating Systems CCI1* competition Matamata's Sam Taylor on Leo Degas dominated leading from start to finish to win comfortably finishing on his dressage score from West Melton's Emily Butcher on Dambala, second, and Katherine Gillaly riding Annabel Wigley's Brogan, third.

Amanda Brown on Chinwag was successful in the hotly contested Striding Edge Horse Shoeing Pre Novice, while the two training divisions were won by Greenpark's Larissa Thoroughgood on Tallyho Mystic and Rangiora's Ellie Braddock on Order of the Phoenix. Rangiora's Campbell Robertson on My DD won the Pacific Vet Pre Training.