Johnstone Poised for WC Glory

Kiwi eventer Clarke Johnstone is sitting pretty going into the final round of this year’s Eventing World Cup in France this weekend.

The UK-based rider from the Waikato has a 10-point buffer over nearest rival – and great mate – Chris Burton (AUS) and looks to be unbeatable. It is the first time New Zealand has had a rider poised to win the Eventing World Cup series, which is worth a whopping 30,000 Euros to the victor.

With two wins and a third from the six rounds so far, Johnstone (picture at WEG) says he is heading to Le Grand Complete in Normandy a little nervous but very excited.

Orient Express, on whom he was part of the bronze medal winning New Zealand team at the World Championships in Kentucky last year, is looking “a million dollars”.

“He is looking and feeling amazing,” says Johnstone of his 13-year-old horse.

Johnstone and Burton – who finished first and second in the two first legs of the World Cup series – have joked it would be good to finish the series with a similar result.

“Of course he wants to win this time though,” says Johnstone.

ESNZ high performance director Sarah Harris describes Johnstone as a real credit to the sport and its support programmes for elite riders.

“He stepped up to top level international competition at the World Champs last year, picking up the team bronze medal, and has not looked back,” she says. “His true professionalism and hard work makes him a fantastic athlete for New Zealand. A win in this series will firmly cement him on the world stage as we count down to the London Olympics next year.”

Johnstone moved to his Gloucestershire base in the UK earlier this year to step up his Olympic 2012 campaign.

The shift hasn't been without its challenges, but he says he is loving being in the hub of such world class competition. He will start at the prestigious Burghley Horse Trials aboard Incognito in two weeks.

Also competing at Le Grand Complete in Normandy this weekend is Mark Todd aboard NZB Campino, who will be looking to qualify another horse for the London Olympics.

The event has attracted 266 horses from 14 countries and features some of the world's best combinations, who will do battle across three international classes – 47 combinations are set to start in the premier World Cup class.

The cross country for Le Grand Complete, which is being held at the French national horse stud at Haras du Pin, is also the venue for the 2014 World Championships. Johnstone will do his dressage test on Friday evening (NZ time) followed by the cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.

The World Cup series runs over seven events, with just the best three scores to count.

Points going into the final (best three scores): Clarke Johnstone (NZL) 118pts 1; Chris Burton (AUS) 108 2; Alisaksandr Faminou (BLR) 92 3; Michael Jung (GER) 79 4; Shane Rose (AUS) 70 5; Yoshiaki Oiwa (JPN) 68 6; Mykhailo Nastenko (RUS) 64 7; Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) 62 8; Peter Thomsen (GER) 56 9; Niklas Lindback (SWE) 41 10.

Source: Diana Dobson