Equestrian: Field makes dressage top 25

Kallista Field has exceeded her Olympic expectations by qualifying in the top 25 of the Sydney Games dressage competition.

Field, from Pahiatua, finished 21st of the 47 riders in the Grand Prix competition.

Her mare Waikare turned on a superb display in the first round of dressage yesterday to help Field post a record score of 66.44 percent, the best ever by a New Zealander in front of international judges.

Field and Waikare now contest the Grand Prix Special on Friday, with the scores from the two tests combining to select the final 15 who contest the medal round on Sunday.

Field, 22, was the youngest rider in the competition and had been aiming for a personal best in the first round.

Her long-term aims are to be among the medal contenders at the 2008 Olympics.

- NZPA