Equestrian: Eyes on new breed at Puhinui

The spotlight will be on New Zealand's brightest young riding talent when the country's premier three-day event kicks off at Puhinui today.

This year's edition lacks the usual big names and the overseas contingent will be smaller than in other years at the Manukau venue.

But New Zealand officials are hoping to get a good look at the riders who will be aiming to pick up the mantle of Mark Todd, Blyth Tait and co this weekend.

"This is a real opportunity for the younger riders to make their mark," said Equestrian Sports NZ chief executive Justine Kidd last night.

"For some it's the first time they will be in a three-star event and for others, like Jonelle Richards of Christchurch and Kate Hewlett from the Bay of Islands, who were Olympic reserves for Athens, it's a chance to perform in New Zealand and demonstrate their true calibre."

Kidd admitted that, Post-Olympics, it is rare to get a large overseas influx.

The next World Games are not until 2006 in Aachen, Germany. Highlights of next year's domestic calendar are the transtasman test in June, preceded by one- and three-day national championships, in April in Wairarapa and May in Taupo.

Internationally, the big events like Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley may be in the sights of the country's leading performers, like Taranaki pair Heelan Tompkins, who has two rides in the three-star event, and Matthew Grayling, New Zealand's best finishers in Athens.

Tompkins, on 18-year-old Glengarrick, was an excellent seventh, and could have picked up a medal, while Grayling, on Revo, was 15th. Whether they venture overseas will depend on the calibre and health of their best horses.

Both have shown it is possible to compete at the highest level without having to base themselves in Europe for extensive periods.

Keeping quality New Zealand horses for New Zealand riders has long been an issue. There are plans afoot to try to redress the situation where the best are sold overseas.

Therefore, former international rider Bryce Newman's Bates Our Questionnaire, one of the more fancied entries in the two-star event this week, will be worth a look. It is well regarded and has been pencilled in for the "Horsepower" scheme, set up by Tait and Sir Ron Trotter and designed to keep some of the better horses for New Zealand riders.

Among the small overseas contingent are three Frenchmen, most notably Cedric Lyard, who was in the gold medal-winning team in Athens; Irishman Niall Griffin, 23rd in the individual; and Australian Rebel Morrow, who, with Oaklea Groover, was 11th in Athens.

Waikato's British-based Grant Cashmore, who finished 40th in the Olympic showjumping event in Athens, is competing in a slight departure from his usual discipline.

On the sentimental side of the sport, Tait and his old mate from Olympic and world gold medal glory, Ready Teddy, will be on show this weekend for the last time.

Ready Teddy is to be officially retired this weekend but will take part in a team event.

The one- and two-star dressage starts this morning, the three-star tomorrow morning, with cross-country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.