from Stuff.co.nz (dated 18mar11)

Last was definitely best for Mathew Dickey in the young rider class at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings today.

The 20-year-old civil engineering student from Oakura was the only clear of 29 starters in the event - and he was the very last in the field to go.

Ahead of him some rather good riders had dropped rails aplenty over a very technical designed course but, unfazed by the carnage that had preceded him, the Auckland University student and his chestnut Kiwi Guard flew round the course to secure the Big Red Trophy.

An ecstatic Dickey whipped his helmet off and hoisted it skyward in celebration - much to the delight of the hundreds in the grandstand and around the arena.

The minor placings all carried faults, with the four faulters separated by time. Second place went to the spunky little coloured horse Showtym Viking in the hands of Amanda Wilson (Northland), with Rachel McGregor (Cambridge) and Kabo Benny Boy third.

"I am just over the moon," Dickey said. "I just focused on what I was doing and what dad and I had talked about when we walked the course. Kiwi Guard is a real fiery red head and it all got a bit much for him in the end but he did so well out there.

"A lot of preparation goes into a class like this and to win it makes it all worthwhile."

Nine-year-old Kiwi Guard, who is by Irish Guard, has been with the Dickey family since he was three.

Father Phil and sister Tanya rode him until he was about five when Dickey graduated to hacks.