Equestrian: Kiwis hold own in dressage

New Zealand riders are in a good position heading into the cross-country event at the World Equestrian Games in Germany.

Competitive rides on the second day of dressage from the experienced Andrew Nicholson and newcomer Joe Meyer left the New Zealand team in fifth place behind Germany, Australia, Great Britain and the United States.

Wairarapa's Meyer and Snip produced a top effort in the dressage in their first outing for New Zealand to finish in 22nd equal.

"I was nervous coming down to the ring but when I got there I was fine, said Meyer.

Nicholson, on Lord Killinghurst, achieved 19th during a steady ride.

Caroline Powell and Heelan Tompkins were 58th and 20th respectively after completing the dressage.

Riding as individuals, Donna Smith was sitting in 10th place after her stunning debut on Friday and Alex de Luca Oliveira in 47th.

"I'm satisfied and I think we will be snapping at the heels going into the cross-country," team manager Blyth Tait said. "It was probably what we were hoping for. We didn't expect to be in the lead, that would have been unrealistic but we are, in all honesty, as close as what we could have hoped for and closer than some of the other nations would have thought."

After walking the cross-country course a couple of times, the New Zealanders generally like what they saw. "I'm very impressed with the course and I think it will be quite influential," Tait said.

Meyer said completing the cross-country in the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds would be difficult because of the twisting course.

'There's not a lot of places where you can really gallop a long way," he said. "And there's a big question at the last water, it's a risk and a risk that we need to take if we want to get a prize."

Nicholson said the course got harder as it went along.

- NZPA