Equestrian: Grayling dressage test boosts NZ hopes

12.30am

ATHENS - Taranaki three-day eventer Matthew Grayling has boosted New Zealand Olympic Games team hopes with a top dressage test.

Grayling, 40, incurred 47.20 penalty points on Revo, to move into the top 20 of the 75-strong field.

With 56 riders having completed their tests, Grayling was well poised in 13th.

New Zealander Heelan Tompkins, second behind German Bettina Hoy on 44.00 points overnight, has been pushed back to sixth on Glengarrick.

Hoy retained her lead on 32.00 points, world champion Frenchman Jean Teulere was second on 38.4 penalties with Australian Rebel Morrow third on 40.6.

Grayling raised New Zealand hopes of a team medal, after Dan Jocelyn and 1996 Olympic champion Blyth Tait started disappointingly yesterday.

With the experienced Andrew Nicholson yet to do his dressage test, New Zealand climbed to sixth, trailling leaders Germany, France, Australia, Britain and the United States.

Grayling was pleased with his performance, especially given the atmosphere.

"Revo rose to the occasion," he said.

"The atmosphere was tremendous, there is just no comparison to events back home.

"You could hear everything from down there, people moving around and the flags flapping in the wind."

Revo delighted the audience when he showed spark by kicking up his heels leaving the arena.

He also put in a couple of naughty bits during his test, Grayling said.

"In retrospect, I think our score isn't too bad," he said.

"I was hoping for a 45 or better as he usually pulls a score similar to Glengarrick's.

"He can go better than he did today but overall I was pleased."

Tait now lies 39th on 63.80 points, with Jocelyn 45th on 66.80.

- NZPA