KEY POINTS:
BEIJING - Kirk Webby and Sitah, New Zealand's only presence in the penultimate round of the Olympic Games showjumping competition, faltered to end in a sadly familiar position for his team in Hong Kong last night.
After being the only one of three New Zealand combinations to survive
the cull to 35 on Tuesday, Webby and his 13-year-old mare needed a near faultless first round to make the top 20 in the individual competition and contest the medals.
Unfortunately Sitah, who only recently recovered from life-saving stomach surgery, tired noticeably halfway through the elimination round and took down six rails.
Webby ended up 34th and last, emulating teammates Katie McVean and Sharn Wordley who propped up the ladder in earlier stages of the team and individual competition.
"It wasn't the greatest night, it was pretty hot and halfway through the course she ran out of gas a bit," Webby said.
"It's only her second competition back after surgery and the week caught up with her a little bit.
"I just feel a bit sorry for the horse, she deserved better than that."
Webby, who was only competing in Hong Kong after New Zealand's top rider Daniel Meech had to withdraw his horse Sorbas, outshone four-time Olympian Bruce Goodin, plus debutants McVean and Wordley.
The slate wiped clean after the first three qualifying rounds, Webby incurred 24 faults - the cut off to make the top 20 was one rail.
Eleven combinations initially completed clear rounds and the gold was eventually awarded to Canadian Eric Lamaze who won a ride-off with Swede Rolf-Goran Bengtsson.
American Bezzie Madden, a member of the gold medal winning American team, took the bronze after a ride-off involving six other riders.
New Zealand placed a disappointing 14th in the 16-nation teams competition after aiming for a top-eight finish while the goal of having a rider in the top-15 was also unfulfilled.
Webby returns to his United States base in New Jersey this weekend.
"We're going to have a bit of a lay-off and try (competing) again next year," he said.
Sitah almost died less than four months ago after contracting equine colic, leaving Webby to describe her recovery as remarkable.
After her brush with death, Sitah is about to be a conduit for life. Embryos will be taken for breeding purposes.
- NZPA