Eventing World Champs Team Announced - WEG News from Kentucky

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.

Posted by:
Anne Vallance

WEG News from Kentucky

Eventing World Champs Team Announced Wednesday, 1 September 2010

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Eventing World Champs Team Announced
Wednesday, 1 September 2010