Equestrian: Tait campaigns to retain top eventers

Former world and Olympic champion Blyth Tait is spearheading a campaign to ensure top New Zealand eventing riders hold on to their horses.

As high performance adviser to Eventing New Zealand, Tait is involved in strategic planning and developing squads after disappointing New Zealand performances at last year's world championships and the Sydney Olympics.

"Part of the job description is working on trying to put together funds to keep horses in New Zealand hands," he said.

Tait, who returns to England this weekend to resume his competitive career after a mid-winter break back home, is seeking corporate and private money to retain horses for New Zealand riders.

Lucrative overseas offers have seen New Zealand riders part with proven performers, freeing up funds for the riders to stay in the sport - albeit on less advanced or successful horses.

Tait said one of his main priorities was to put together a syndicate for a part-share in Megan Finlayson's Lion Heart - the horse on which she won the national three-day title in Taupo in May.

"At the moment she's under a lot of pressure from agents acting on behalf of overseas buyers," he said.

Tait would not disclose how much the Whangarei rider was being offered, but confirmed it was a six-figure sum.

He said a syndicate would probably own a quarter share in Lion Heart, enabling Finlayson to start campaigning in Europe and carry on to the Olympics.

Finlayson and Lion Heart left last Sunday for Britain, where she will be one of 10 New Zealand riders vying for selection in a team of four to compete against Australia and Japan at Blenheim in an Olympic team qualification event in September.

With Australia already qualified for Athens, New Zealand will need to beat Japan to qualify or rely on a possible International Equestrian Federation wild-card entry.

Four other New Zealand-based riders are on the long list of 10 named this week and will head to Britain this week with their mounts.

They are Kelly North and Smooch, Tim Price and Desamoray, Jonelle Richards and Mazetto, and Kate Wood and Witch Doctor.

Long-listed British-based riders and horses are Dan Jocelyn and Silence, Caroline Powell and Ballycathro, Neil Spratt and The Astronomer, Andrew Nicholson with both Flush Banker and Duddles, and Tait with Welton Envoy.

Ready Teddy, on which Tait won the 1996 Olympic and 1998 world individual titles, has resumed work after injury prevented him contesting the Badminton event in May.

But Tait said that he was undecided whether to ride Ready Teddy in a three-day event this year or save him for Badminton next May.

"His main focus is on the Olympics, and retirement after that."

- NZPA