Equestrian: Qualification for Athens lifts the stakes

By JULIE ASH

As Olympic qualification is at stake, this year's Auckland three-day event is expected to be one of the most competitive yet.

Ten of 17 riders on New Zealand's list of potential Olympic representatives line up in Puhinui today for the Auckland International Airport/Regency-sponsored event, alongside several top Australians and competitors from Thailand, Malaysia, Italy and the United States.

"I think the competition is going to be very strong in the three star because we have a very strong overseas contingent here," said Eventing New Zealand's chairman of selectors Mary Darby.

"I think there are eight or nine Australians here and three are looking for Olympic qualification so she's pretty hot competition.

"As to how our riders measure up - ask me that on Sunday."

To qualify for the Olympics as a combination, the horse and rider have to compete in either one, four-star event (like Badminton or Burghley) or two, three-star events and achieve a certain score in each discipline.

The New Zealand team will be selected from those who have reached the standard. The final qualifying event is Badminton in May.

In the three-star class, New Plymouth's Matthew Grayling brings Revo, returned to top form after injury at Badminton last year.

Donna Smith of Te Kauwhata, who is based with the current Olympic champion David O'Connor in the US, will ride Stanage, who was eighth last year.

Bryce Newman returns with Bates Inishturk, second in 2001 while world equestrian games team member Heelan Tompkins of New Plymouth has a double chance with Arragato and Ambrose.

Running their emerging horses at two-star level are Megan Finlayson and Fair Child, Bundy Philpott and Last Laugh II, Andrew Scott with Clifton Mitavite X-Factor, Jonelle Richards with Brookland and Groove Armada and Kate Wood on Staccato.

Kate Lambie was to have competed on Nufarm Alibi in the three-star competition but the horse has been withdrawn leaving her to ride Nufarm Sabotage in the two star class.

The event starts today with the dressage. The cross-country and endurance events follow tomorrow and the show jumping on Sunday.