Equestrian: Centre aims for eventing gold

There's a decidedly British and Australian twang to a new multimillion-dollar drive to put New Zealand eventers back on top of the world stage.

The quest for gold at the 2012 London Olympics began in earnest when Prime Minister John Key officially opened the world class Clifton Eventing Centre at Muriwai yesterday.

Frances Stead - a Brit-turned-Kiwi who is managing director of cosmetics company L'Oreal NZ - is the woman behind the drive. In a glitzy industry and an expensive sport, she won't settle for anything less than gold.

Stead and husband Russell Hall have developed a 20ha block at Muriwai that includes an all-weather 42m by 70m arena and a 10-horse stable block. Plans are afoot to build a year-round gallop track, a cross-country training course and more stables.

With $2 million already invested, Stead says it is time for a public-private partnership that sees Government and/or private investment help turn the facility into a centre of excellence.