Tough Task Ahead for Todd while McVean Makes History

Mark Todd is out of touch with the top of the field in the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event after a late run-out aboard NZB Grass Valley during the all-important cross country phase this morning.

Joe Myer is the best of the Kiwi duo. He and Snip were clear but picked up 17.6 time faults over the cross country, leaving them in 14th spot on 69.4 points with Todd and NZB Grass Valley picking up both faults and time, finishing on 83 points in 18th spot.
"He was really going up until the third to last. I felt he might have been a little tired, and I was maybe a bit too relaxed at that point on the course. You can never disregard a course, there are a lot of big jumps," he said.

Mary King (GB) is sitting sitting pretty at the top of the field, leading on 47.7 points aboard Kings Temptress and in second spot with 49.7 on Fernhill Urco.

Very few of the field went clear and inside time over the course, with 15 of the field eliminated or retired during the cross country, or withdrawn before starting.

The showjumping phase starts in the early hours of Monday morning (NZ & Aus time).

New Zealand dressage riders are continuing their good form at the Sydney CDI3* with a solid fourth place last night by Penny Castle (Manawatu) on Gymstar One (owned by Julie Brougham) in the Grand Prix freestyle with their 69%.

Vanessa Way (Taranaki) and KH Arvan were seventh on 65.4%. The class was won by Rachael Sanna aboard Jaybee Alabaster with 74.25%, with Brett Parbery and Victory Salute second with 73.7%, Mary Hanna on Umbro third on 69.4% followed by Castle just behind.

Meanwhile, the hopes of the nation hang on Katie McVean who early tomorrow morning will start in the final round of the Wold Cup showjumping final. She goes into the class in fourth spot, and making her New Zealand's best-ever performer at World Cup level. Just 27 of the original 43 strong field have made it through, and McVean and Dunstan Delphi will follow superstar combo Eric Lamaze and Hickstead towards the end of the field.

Source: Diana Dobson