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July 7, 2011

Kiwi eventers were out of the top 10 at the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational in London overnight, but still full of praise for the historic venue for next year's Olympics.

Andrew Nicholson and Viscount George. © Fiona Reddick/Horsesports Photographic

Double Olympic gold medallist Mark Todd was the best of the New Zealand trio, finishing in 15th spot aboard youngster NZB Campino in the test event.

"What an amazing venue," he said. "I think it will be made to work really well for next year. The organisers are keen to take on comments to make it a fantastic games."

All three of the Kiwi eventers were clear of jumping penalties over the tight and hilly cross-country course, with Todd one of just seven combinations to go on to double clear in the showjumping.

Andrew Nicholson and Viscount George finished in 17th position, with Clarke Johnstone and Incognito 25th.

Nicholson was also happy with the test venue.

"It is impressive and very different to what we are used to," he said. "It will definitely be an exciting cross country at the games."

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris was pleased to see how well the young New Zealand horses coped with the charged environment and atmosphere. "It was a very well organised event," she said.

Honours went to Great Britain's Piggy French aboard DHI Topper. Second was current world champion Michael Jung (GER) on River of Joy.

From an organisational perspective, the last few days have provided a bank of information and ideas that will be sifted through in great detail as debriefing takes place.

LOCOG equestrian competition manager Tim Hadaway said comments from competitors and everyone else involved in the event will all be taken on board.

The next big competition for the New Zealand eventers will be at the Aachen International Festival (Germany) in mid July.

Final Results:
1, DHI Topper W (Piggy French) GBR 34.70;
2, River of Joy (Michael Jung) GER 41.80;
3, Billy Shannon (Pippa Funnell) GBR 44.90;
4, Bendigo (Clayton Fredericks) AUS 46.10;
5, Mrs Medicott (Sara Algotsson Ostholt) SWE 46.60;
6, Nepal du Sudre (Virginie Caulier) BEL 50.80;
7, Borough PennyZ (Vittoria Panizzon) ITA 56.40;
8, Chuckelberry (Joseph Murphy) IRL 58.60;
9, Pivoine des Touches (Donatien Schauly) FRA 60.00;
10, Gaucho (William Fox-Pitt) GBR 60.30;
11, Sir Medicott (Frank Ostholt) GER 60.90;
12, Lamicell Unique (Karin Donckers) BEL 61.10;
13, Blockbuster 11 (Waylon Roberts) CAN 62.00;
14, Limestone (Joris Vanspringel) BEL 62.10;
15, NZB Campino (Mark Todd) NZL 63.10;
16, Furst Love (Alex Hua Tian) CHN 64.50;
17, Viscount George (Andrew Nicholson) NZL 64.60;
18, Let it Bee (Kathryn Robinson) 65.60;
19, Paulank Brockagh (Sam Griffiths) AUS 69.60;
20, Cavalor Telstar (Raf Kooremans) NED 69.60;
21, DHI Colour Candy (William Faudree) USA 70.10;
22, The Only One (Jayne Doherty) IRL 70.50;
23, Olipper Schervil (Denis Mesples) FRA 70.90;
24, Gunstone Wallstreet (Julian Stiller) USA 71.40;
25, Incognito (Clarke Johnstone) NZL 73.10.

Not qualified for top-25 second round
26, Lit-Il Peccau CH (Benoit Johner) SUI 68.50;
27, Hooligan (Takayuki Yumira) JPN 71.10;
28, Idaho D'Argonne (Ruy Fonseca) BRA 80.00;
29, Carlow Miller (Paul Hart) RSA 87.70;
30, Culture Couture (Samantha Albert) JAM 89.40;
31, Jabadaba Doo (Andreas Riedl) AUT 90.80;
32, Jaybee Star Celebrity (Logan Rawlings) USA 101.70;
33, Jazz King (Nina Ligon) THA 102.10;
34, Rongotai (Renan Guerreiro) BRA 119.80;
35, Libro Archie (Brian Nunez-Hughes) COL 140.30.

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