Equestrian: Games contenders get top competition

By MERILYN CHAMBERS

New Zealand's major contenders for the Olympic showjumping team pit their skills this weekend against international riders in the Horse of the Year's inaugural multinational contest.

Six Kiwi riders have travelled to Hastings from their bases in the United States and Europe to face, with 24 other world-class riders, the challenge of riding borrowed horses over demanding courses by Frank Rottenberg, course designer at the main European arena, Aachen in Germany.

The visiting riders will compete as individuals today before the main team competitions.

Tomorrow and Sunday they will compete as teams for New Zealand, France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Australia, Portugal and Spain.

On Sunday, the contest for Horse of the Year and Pony of the Year will also be strongly contested.

The New Zealand contingent is headed by Daniel Meech, who is based in Germany, where he is training four stallions to Grand Prix level, including his potential Olympic mount, Diagonal.

Having been on every shortlist for the world championships and Olympic Games since 1996 he looks set to secure a place in what promises to be the New Zealand's most experienced Olympic showjumping team.

Similarly Peter Breakwell, having represented New Zealand in its successful bid for a place in Olympic showjumping at Aachen this year after riding with distinction at the Sydney Olympics, is a likely choice.

Grant Wilson, Guy Thomas, Duncan McFarlane and wildcard Katie McVean, 17, will also compete.