GEORGE HEAGNEY

The double clear from the two rounds and a fast time gave her the win to keep her on top of the World Cup table ahead of her nearest rival, Maurice Beatson from Dannevirke.

McVean with her two faultless rounds, their first double clear of the season, and their time 50.05 seconds got them the win.

"I was really happy, she jumped two clear rounds so she never put a foot wrong, she was really good," McVean said. "It's really good for us to jump indoors because we don't get the chance very often so it was nice."

McVean, Beatson on My Gollywog and Bernard Denton (Gisborne) on Suzuki, were the only ones to finish clear after the first round, but McVean and Dunstan Daffodil stepped it up in the next round.

"She was the only double clear around so she's in a really good class," McVean said.

Even though the points are still close, the Mystery Creek rider was pleased she had maintained her lead over Beatson who won the first round in Hastings in October.

"I think I'll only be four points in front of him going into the next round, so it'll still be quite tight," McVean said.

McVean and Dunstan Daffodil have previously succeeded at the Manfeild event when they won in 2009, but that did not mean much in the overall scheme of things.

"It's always a tough series, the World Cup series, because anything can happen and it can always change right down to the last round."

The next leg in Taupo in two weeks could decide the series, but the quality of riders would keep the competition close.

"It's completely different again going from indoors to outdoors, so she has a weekend off now and do a little jump next week outdoors and be ready for Taupo."

The two have been competing together for seven years since McVean started riding the 11-year-old Dunstan Daffodil who she bred herself. "I'm very happy with my horse so far. Hopefully she can keep it up for the rest of the season."

The 25-year-old won the World Cup points at the second series in Kihikihi near Te Awamutu and made it two in a row with the Manfeild win.

McVean had a one-point lead over Beatson going into the Manfeild round so she will still be ahead, but the series is turning into a two-horse race.

Twelve riders entered in the World Cup class and Beatson was second, followed by Denton.

McVean was second, third and fourth in the seven-year-old class with her horses Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark and Dunstan Delilah and Dunstan Springfield.