Wish List Becomes Team

Wish List Becomes Team

World class equestrians Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson spear-head a five strong eventing team to represent New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky later this month.

Todd and Nicholson are joined by fellow Olympian Caroline Powell and the up-and-coming Jonathan Paget and Clarke Johnstone.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand eventing high performance leader Erik Duvander is a relieved man to finally get his team on paper.

“It's been a long 18 months, but a well-balanced team like this is just what you wish for,” he says.

The experience of Todd and Nicholson, backed by the strength of Powell, and the eager youthfulness of Paget and Johnstone, made for a team that could only go from strength to strength.

None of the horses in the team have competed at Olympic Games or World Equestrian Games level, but Duvander is quite sure, they'll be there for the 2012 Olympics in London.

“These are all young horses, and have hardly hit their prime, so they are looking good for WEG and the London Olympics.”

That vision is very much part of ESNZ's high performance programme, which is targeting a return to Olympic medal winning in London. 

“It is very hard to win a world champs on your first try,” says Duvander.

But he does concede that Nicholson is in a class of his own at the moment.

“He is most definitely an individual medal chance, but with a team like this, you can never count anyone out.”

Four of the combinations would ride as both individuals and a team, with the fifth riding as an individual and team reserve. It has not yet been decided who would fill what slots.

“These riders all bring such great qualities to the team.”

Nicholson and Todd hold the honour of being the only two Kiwis to have been named for six Olympic Games and between them hold an impressive clutch of medals and titles – Todd having won two Olympic gold medals and two team WEG gold medals, with Nicholson having won a gold team medal at WEG.

“Mark has such mana and it is a real strength to have a rider like him on any team,” says Duvander.

Paget had been pushed hard in the high performance programme in recent years and had stepped up at every challenge, impressing selectors and spectators alike.

“He's a very talented person and soaks up everything we give him.”

Johnstone had competed with class against the best Australia had to offer at the weekend where he earned nothing but praise from critics on both sides of the Tasman.

“This is an exciting team. The world champs are decided very much in the cross country and showjumping phases, and that is where our strengths lie with this team.”

The eventing competition includes three disciplines – dressage, cross country and showjumping, and runs over four days. The eventing team is the last to be announced by ESNZ, to represent the nation at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Also wearing the silver fern are showjumping and endurance teams.

The NZ eventing team is -

Andrew Nicholson (Waikato/UK) Nereo, with reserve horses Mr Cruise Control, Avebury and Armada; Mark Todd (Christchurch/UK) NZB Grass Valley; Caroline Powell (Christchurch/Scotland) Mac Macdonald; Jonathan Paget (Muriwai/UK) Clifton Promise; Clarke Johnstone (Otago/Cambridge) Orient Express.  Chef d'equipe: Erik Duvander.

ENDS

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