<p class="western"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><strong>It's
game on for the New Zealand endurance crew at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in
Kentucky.<br><br><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.main-events.co.nz/downloads/EnduranceTeam.jpg" target="_blank" title="WEG Endurance Team" style="color: blue !important; text-decoration: underline !important; cursor: text !important; ">Photo</a></span><br></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The
horses all passed their vet checks this morning and it's all systems go for
their 160-kilometre race tomorrow (Sunday US time).<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">For
endurance vet Nick Page and chef d'equipe Madonna Harris – along with riders,
grooms and supporters – it was an anxious wait this morning, despite knowing all
the horses were it peak condition.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Not
all teams looked to be so lucky in getting through – some getting the lenience
of a re-present and others sent back to the stables, heads down. But no such
problems for the Kiwis.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Rain
last night has taken a bit of the sting out of the 160-kilometre track – much to
the delight of endurance team farrier Rodney King.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">New
Zealand riders Alison Higgins (Nelson) aboard Twynham El Omar, Jenny Chandler
aboard Lace and Fineness, and Debby Worsfold on Bradley McGregor will line up
for a mass start against 105 other combinations from all over the globe. <br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The
atmosphere will be charged, with adrenalin, nerves, noise, flags and all sorts
of other sounds, as some competitors jockey for position at the front of the
field, while others are keener to hang back slightly.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">They'll do six loops, varying in distance from 18
kilometres through to 39.9 kilometres. At the end of each loop, they'll be under
the watchful eye of a vet and stewards as their horses take a breather, and are
worked on by grooms to bring their heartbeats down to a certain level and
they're checked from head to toe. If they don't, they're out.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">It's
a challenging discipline and one that calls for control.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">But
Harris says it also needs plenty of courage from the riders.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">With
just three in the New Zealand team, there is no room for error, with no chance
of any team accomplishment if all don't finish the race. Favourites are the
Spanish and the UAE.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The
race marks the start of the World Equestrian Games for New Zealand. Next up will
be the eventers Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell, Jonathan Paget and
Clarke Johnstone, who face their trot up and vet check on Wednesday (US time)
followed by the start of the dressage on Thursday.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Thousands packed into the main arena at the games
tonight to watch a rather spectacular opening ceremony. The New Zealand team was
led in by Andrew Nicholson.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The
World Equestrian Games are being hosted in Lexington, Kentucky, and run through
until October 10. New Zealand is also represented in showjumping.<br><br></font>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">It is
the first time the games have been held outside of Europe and will attract more
than 800 riders from nearly 60 countries. It is expected to be worth around
$US150 million to the economy.</font>
</p><br>
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