KEY POINTS:
A four-strong showjumping team has been added to New Zealand's equestrian contingent for the Beijing Olympics.
One of two new selections, Waikato's Katie McVean, is also the first New Zealand-based rider to be chosen for the showjumping team since the Barcelona Games in 1992.
The 22-year-old, whose parents Jeff and Vicki both represented Australia at elite level showjumping, will compete in Hong Kong - venue for the equestrian events - next month alongside fellow newcomer Sharn Wordley.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, Bruce Goodin will be attending his fourth Olympics while Daniel Meech, the best-placed rider at Athens four years ago, has been named for a third games.
Based in Europe for several years Goodin, 38, and Meech, 34, were delighted to be named again.
"I've been working hard to get to this point and am now thrilled to be going to my fourth Olympics," said Sweden-based Goodin, who competed at Barcelona, Sydney and Athens.
Meech, who is based in Belgium, was 12th in Greece - New Zealand's best performance by an individual showjumper at an Olympics.
"I'm very happy to be a part of the team," he said.
"This is probably the easiest part of the campaign, now we have to keep going and keep getting better."
Wordley, 34, has been rewarded for an impressive 12 months on the US grand prix which saw him record 15 podium finishes.
"It's been a goal that I have been working on since leaving New Zealand as an 18-year-old with my horse. It's a dream come true," Wordley said from Florida.
New Zealand are aiming for a top eight finish in Hong Kong, a goal their American-born coach Greg Best considered attainable.
"I'm really enthusiastic about the prospects of this team finishing in the top eight," he said.
"Individually anything can happen on the day and to have the experience of Bruce and Daniel with the two new riders on this team is exciting."
New Zealand showjumping team
Bruce Goodin (Yamato), Katie McVean (Forest), Daniel Meech (Sorbas), Sharn Wordley (Rockville). Non-travelling Reserve: Kirk Webby (Sitah).
- NZPA
