Equestrian: Badminton first hurdle

By JULIE ASH

Kate Lambie's Olympic dream is riding on her performance at next month's Badminton Horse Trials.

The 29-year-old Aucklander is one of 17 eventing riders on New Zealand's Olympic longlist which will be reduced in May before a final team of four is named in June.

For Lambie, one of the more experienced riders on the list, a convincing performance in Badminton on her horse Nufarm Alibi will go a long way towards securing her an Olympic spot.

"I am feeling pretty positive because I have a horse that is extremely talented in all three phases," said Lambie.

"I think that a good consistent performance from her in Badminton is going to show that we are ready to go and take on everyone at the Olympics."

She acknowledges there is plenty of competition for the four New Zealand spots.

"I think it is great a couple of the more experienced riders, Andrew Nicholson and Blyth Tait, are still campaigning for the Olympics."

Lambie, Heelan Tompkins and Dan Jocelyn gained a lot of experience from the world equestrian games in Spain in 2002.

"We also have a strong base of young riders coming through who are going to give us a run for our money," she said.

After 20 years of competing, initially with ponies, Lambie won her first three-star title at the 2001 Auckland International three-day event.

She competed in her first Badminton in 2002, and was the top-placed New Zealander, finishing fifth. She went on to finish 17th at the World Equestrian Games the same year.

She is one of 11 New Zealanders who have been accepted to compete at Badminton, which starts on April 29.

Lambie not only wants to improve on her placing in the competition last time, she wants to win.

"But horses being horses, you can only do your best on the day.

"We want the horse to have a good, safe run and to be able to go to the Olympics because I know that she could win gold at the Olympics.

"I think she is one of the most talented horses there is."

Lambie leaves for England early on Sunday morning with three horses - Nufarm Alibi and two others which she will sell to help pay for her stay in Europe until after the Games.

She estimates her costs will be at least $18,000.

Lambie and her horses will travel on a cargo plane via Singapore and Dubai.

The trip will take 32 hours from door to door.

"It is a huge ordeal," she said.

"It is not like just getting yourself ready for an event, you have to get the horse ready as well.

"For me, Badminton is the biggest event in the world ... you just want to go there and do your best."