Equestrian: Tough start for kiwi jumper

New Zealand's Grant Wilson had a tough start to the showjumping competition at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany today.

Bucking from the outset, his nine-year-old black stallion, Up and Down, unsettled Wilson's line and the Belgium-based rider ended his round with 20 faults.

Wilson finished in 99th place of the 116-strong field heading into tomorrow's second-round qualifier.

Today's popular speed class, keenly watched 38,000 spectators, was the first stage of the showjumping where, in a complicated mathematical formula, points are carried over.

"For sure, the first day was a little bit disappointing but I have two more days to go," Wilson said.

"The scores count all the way through until Saturday with bigger more difficult jumps tomorrow.

"I've got two more days to try and jump well and hope to make the top 25 for Saturday -- it's still possible."

The speed class is not Wilson's most favoured event and he is hoping for better tomorrow when the emphasis on speed is not so demanding.

New Zealand-born Samantha McIntosh, now riding for Bulgaria, finished in 12th place after a well-controlled and smartly ridden round on her bay gelding Loxley.

- NZPA