A sickening attack has been carried out on a leading showjumping horse in New Zealand.

13-year-old gelding Squirt suffered burns to his face and around his eyes after someone smeared him with creosote during Saturday night.

The horse was stabled at Hawera Showground before a showjumping competition there.

His owner firmly believes it was a rival competitor who carried out the horrifying attack, as she revealed it was the second time he'd been attacked this way in just one week.

Someone had smeared the corrosive wood substance on the horse's girth a week earlier, again during the night before a competition.

The second attack left the horse with blistered and weeping flesh.

Police are investigating and have questioned a woman and fellow competitor.