Location   

Horsezone News

Kiwi's Tipped to Take Badminton Title

Published on Thursday, April 21, 2011 in General

New Zealand's medal-winning eventers start as some of the favourites to take the 2011 Badminton Horse Trials, which get underway on Thursday (UK time).

 

UK-based Kiwis Andrew Nicholson, Mark Todd and Caroline Powell – who all featured in the bronze medal winning team (pictured right with Clarke Johnson) at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky – can't be overlooked in the 85-strong field in the prestigious event.

 

Nicholson, who also won an individual bronze at the World Games, has completed the event a record 29 times, with his best finish to date being fifth in 2007. But this year is different – Nicholson is the envy of so many with a string of top horses at four star level.

 

He's picking his World Games horse Nereo to be the one to beat of the three he will start this year, but Avebury can't be far behind the showy chestnut.

 

Powell will start on her fabulous grey Lenamore, who she won Burghley Horse Trials on last year, has twice finished fourth at Badminton, as well as her other horse Boston Two Tip.

 

Todd, the only Kiwi to have ever won Badminton, will start three horses. Todd, who won the event in 1980, 1994 and 1996, probably has his best bet on NZB Land Vision, who is his pick for the London Olympics, but NZB Grass Valley was so solid for him at the World Games.

 

New Zealand eventing high performance leader Erik Duvander says the nation heads to Badminton with four very highly ranked horses in Nereo, Avebury, NZB Land Vision and Lenamore.

 

“If things go the right way for these very competitive riders, we are looking forward to a great weekend,” he says. “All of the riders are very pleased with their horses going into the event.”

 

The dressage phase of the event will be held Friday and Saturday (UK time), with the cross country on Sunday and finishing with the showjumping on Monday.

 

Badminton is one of just five four star events held in the world and is part of the HSBC FEI Classic.

 

Source: Diana Dobson


Be the first to comment on this article
You must be logged in to place comments