It’s New Zealand for the double in the Fiber Fresh CCI3* eventing with the young rider team winning the Oceania Challenge and Kiwi Abbey Thompson aboard Cadbury KSNZ winning the individual.

Riders came back in reverse order with barely a change in the top seven combinations, albeit a shuffle of placings.

Australian Molly Lines and Tadpole posted the first clear of the class for her final tally of 38.2 penalty points, which was quickly bettered by Abbey added nothing to her 36.9 score. Last to go was overnight leader and New Zealand Oceania team member Bridie Quigley aboard Oranoa Greyson who were dreadfully unlucky to take the last and finish on a score of 37.4 for second placed behind Abbey with Molly in third.

Bridie’s calm riding saw the New Zealanders hold on to the Oceania 124.7 penalty points to the Australian’s 130.2.

New Zealand chef d’equipe Lizzie Green was very proud of her crew. “They are such a great bunch and a very tight knit group,” she said. “It is very important to have that unity in a team. They are all very good riders and exciting for the future.”

She again underlined the importance of team competitions for the future of both New Zealand and Australia.

Individual winner Abbey, who heads to the UK after competing at the Adelaide next month, was rapt. “He tried his heart out,” she said. “He was a bit tired after yesterday as I don’t usually go that fast on the cross country but I decided I needed to get into that rhythm.”

It’s eight-year-old Cadbury’s first LRHOY and Abbey says he coped well with the atmosphere and pressure. “He is so sweet and easy to have around and is a very genuine horse.”

She was doubly happy for the win, given she’s been second more times than she cares to count at New Zealand’s bigger competitions.

“I certainly didn’t think I would be winning at the beginning of the week.”

She and Cadbury head to the UK on a one-way ticket and will base with Harry Mead in Wiltshire.

Best presented horse was awarded to Australian Olivia Shore aboard Dreamcatcher with Cadbury’s groom Poppy Reid also collecting a prize as the charge of the winning horse.

For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz