Equestrian: Tait raring to defend his Burghley title

LONDON - New Zealand rider Blyth Tait has recovered from horrific facial injuries and will defend his Burghley title this weekend in England and world crown two weeks later in Jerez, Spain.

Tait's horse Lily The Pink threw her head up into the rider's face last month while they were warming up for an event.

Doctors said he would be unable to ride for four to six weeks after they reset his eye socket and put a plate in his fractured cheekbone.

Yet he was back in the saddle competing two weeks later and last weekend he and his world champion mount Ready Teddy showed they were ready to defend their title in Jerez by finishing second in an international one-day event in Cherbourg, France.

Tait will defend his Burghley title on world championship back-up Rongotai.

It is the horse's first start in the sport's top four-star level.

Rongotai is owned by Pukekohe's Jen Fleming, who competed the horse to advanced level in New Zealand before passing the ride on to Tait.

New Zealand combinations at Burghley include the in-form Andrew Nicholson, who won at Burghley in 2000 and will ride the experienced New York and Climb the Heights.

Fellow world equestrian games rider Daniel Jocelyn will ride his second-string horse Pee Wee, reserving Silence for Jerez.

Burghley first-timer Michelle Haines, formerly from Otaki, rides Tinks Pottinger's former horse Rise and Shine.

The New Zealand trio of Tait, Nicholson and Mark Todd have between them won the last five Burghley titles.

But the British are determined to restore home pride with a large contingent led by Pippa Funnell and William Fox-Pitt. Mary King also has a strong hand, despite missing world championship selection.

Burghley's new cross-country course designer, Germany's Wolfgang Feld, has made some major changes to Mark Phillips' track - including running the course in reverse direction.

- NZPA