Equestrian: Badminton contingent down by half

While New Zealand numbers at the Badminton horse trials in England this week are low, expatriate Kiwi Andrew Nicholson looks spoiled for choice of rides.

Four New Zealanders are set to start the most prestigious annual international three-event today. It is the smallest Kiwi contingent for several years and well down on the nine who contested last year's event.

Nicholson, 41, narrowed down his choice of four entries for this year's Badminton competition to two likely starters - Mr Smiffy, the former Burghley champion who was eighth at Badminton last year, and Fenicio, on which he finished ninth at last year's world equestrian games.

He is also holding his own horse, Sheff's Choice, in reserve, if one of the other two isn't fit enough to start.

Nicholson, third in the world last year, said there would be a particularly strong field at Badminton, which should live up to its reputation for big cross-country jumps.

"You've got to be up with the dressage and then jump the jumps, but both my horses have gone well in a couple of events this year, so I'm pretty happy with them," he said.

He rated England's Pippa Funnell a hot favourite.

She returns to Badminton on last year's winning mount, Supreme Rock, and is fresh from heading an all-British trifecta in last weekend's four-star Lexington, Kentucky, event.

"Her other horse is no slouch either," Nicholson said.

His compatriot Blyth Tait will be riding Eze, who won the Punchestown event in Ireland in 2000, after having to withdraw his injured former Olympic champion Ready Teddy.

Despite winning world and Olympic titles, Badminton victory has eluded Tait, who has had three second placings and is set to wind down his international eventing career.

Dan Jocelyn, another English-based New Zealander, returns to Badminton with Silence, which he had to retire during last year's event, and Pee Wee.

New Zealand's other rider is New Plymouth's Heelan Tompkins, riding Glengarrick, in her second apperance at Badminton.

- NZPA