Equestrian: High standards impress judges

By JULIE ASH

Bryce Newman was a quietly satisfied rider after a tough opening day at Auckland's three-star event at Puhinui yesterday.

Newman is the best-placed New Zealander, and sitting third overall after picking up 39.8 points aboard Bates Inishturk in the dressage stage on a warm afternoon in South Auckland.

A 22-year-old Australian, Christopher Burton, on Deo Juvante leads the event after an outstanding dressage performance in which he scored 37.4 points.

"I was stoked, he couldn't have done better," Burton said.

"There are some really good riders out there so I am thrilled to be winning."

Fellow Australian Sammi McLeod, on Black Odyssey, is in second place, 0.4 points ahead of Newman.

The Palmerston North rider, who is on New Zealand's list of potential Olympic riders, said that overall he was satisfied with his performance.

"It wasn't far away from what we required. He got a little bit tight in there and didn't allow me to ride him as hard as I wanted. But you can't complain - we got to the end and got a good mark."

Newman expects the competition to be just as stiff in today's cross-country and tomorrow's showjumping.

"The Australians are traditionally quite good at dressage and train well but it doesn't really count for much because in the cross-country it's only a couple of seconds that separate everyone.

"The cross-country will be tough, but it looks a fair test. I have walked the course two or three times and we are going to go out there and go like hell, but you just don't know.

"I am looking forward to it, he is in good form, and hopefully I am, so we'll just boldly gallop to the end."

Next-best among the large New Zealand contingent was Kate Hewlett and Internet, from Kerikeri, who scored 46.6 points. Te Kauwhata's Donna Smith and Stanage, and New Plymouth pair Matthew Grayling and Heelan Tompkins are also in the top 10.

A member of the grand jury, American Sally O'Connor, who has returned to judge at Puhinui after a four-year absence, was impressed with what she saw in the dressage.

"We were really all excited because we were giving eights and nines and things likes that," she said.

"As a group they were very good and could hold their own anywhere in the world. It was good stuff."

O'Connor, mother of Sydney Olympic gold medallist David O'Connor, said it wasn't just the top riders that impressed her.

"There were a couple of young riders who came in and took charge of the arena.

"It is very much a show ... you come in and you have to present your horse on a silver platter. You have got to say 'look at us' and today a number of riders did that.

"This is the best group I have judged all year."

Newman, who has missed the last couple of events through competing overseas, agreed that the standard of the competition was impressive.

"I think the event is getting better and stronger. It is good with the Aussie coming across.

"But it is typical - when I decide to turn up here so does every other man and his dog," he quipped.

The three-star endurance and cross-country phase begins at 1.15pm today, with the showjumping stage starting about 2.30pm tomorrow.