From Hawkes Bay Today

Former Olympian Katie McVean flew in to New Zealand yesterday to defend her showjumping title today at the Hawke's Bay Show on a horse nobody else will ride.

Today sees the start of the New Zealand season of World Cup Series showjumping, which culminates a two-day event featuring top international riders.

The Waikato-based equestrian said last year's competition started her world-class partnership in the elite sport.

"Last year was my horse Delphi's first World Cup show. He won and went on to win the New Zealand World Cup series and the Olympic Cup here at the Horse of the Year as well," she said.

In June they competed at Canada's prestigious Spruce Meadows competition and from there to Kentucky for the World Equestrian Games.

They were based in the United States until recently.

The future looks bright for the pairing as Delphi is the minimum age of 9 years for the sport's top levels and McVean is just 25.

But with Delphi in quarantine before returning to New Zealand she is riding his sister Daffodil.

"It's a big ask to compete here on Daffodil because she's only been lunged lately. No one else likes to ride her, she's a bit naughty, but she tries really hard and she's really careful."

McVean finances herself by selling horses she has schooled.

"It's hard to sell them because you know they'll be good, but you have to sell them to survive."

She said the prices fetched for top horses was prohibitive to New Zealand competitors in the sport.

"The Saudis spent $11 million to buy just one horse for the World Cup so New Zealanders have no option but to breed from their own horses.

We just don't have that kind of money."

She said she is glad to be back in Hawke's Bay and was determined to do well.

"The Hawke's Bay World Cup is important to me because I want to qualify to go to the World Cup final in Leipzig in April."