Equestrian: Riders aim for a place in top 20

Peter Breakwell and Bruce Goodin begin their quest to achieve New Zealand's best showjumping performance at an Olympics Games today with the first qualifying round of the individual competition.

The two horsemen are aiming to become the first riders to reach the showjumping finale.

Their rides Leonson (Breakwell) and Lenaro (Goodin) will have to produce their best performances.

Unlike the New Zealand eventers, who had terrible problems with injuries, the showjumpers sailed through yesterday's final veterinary inspection.

Showjumping manager Tim Pearce said the horses were fit, and had recovered well from a weekend training round.

The 86 riders vying for the individual gold medal practised in the main arena at Horsley Park for the first time on Saturday, the New Zealanders watched by Mark Todd and his wife Carolyn.

Pearce was not bothered that Goodin had a rail down with Lenaro, saying both he and Breakwell, who rode clear, got what they wanted from their horses in a round aimed mainly at familiarisation.

The New Zealanders are unlikely to bother the competition's best for medals, but their horses are capable of a good showing to reach the top 20.

Lenaro has reached Olympic standard at seven competitions this year, and finished eighth at a top German meet.

Leonson's best results this season have been fifth at a grand prix competition in Germany, and third at a $US100,000 ($248,200) Nevada jump last month.

Based in the United States for 20 years, Breakwell, 42, said he was honoured to be riding for New Zealand.

The top horses from today's qualification round progress to the second round of the competition on Wednesday and Thursday.

Favourite for the individual gold is Brazilian legend Rodrigo Pessoa, riding Baloubet du Rouet, the current world champion.

Team gold is expected to be decided between Switzerland and Germany.

- NZPA