It’s been a great night for Kiwi equestrians competing offshore, with wins in Ireland and Germany to eventer Tim Price and showjumper Bruce Goodin.
Former Olympic showjumper Bruce Goodin notched a great win in the 1.6m CSI3* grand prix at Munchen Riem aboard Centina 10 (owned by Glen Nielsen).
Their efforts stake a clear claim for a berth in the New Zealand team for the fast-approaching Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, in August.
Forty-nine qualified for the class, with 15 coming back for the jump-off. Goodin was one of seven to go through on zero faults. In the jump-off, two had gone clear ahead of him, so he knew he had to leave everything up, with enough speed to put the pressure on those combinations following.
“I had a really good feeling on her going into the jump-off,” said the 44-year-old who is based in Denmark. “She jumped unbelievably in both rounds, but especially the jump-off. If felt like she couldn’t touch anything.”
Goodin’s time of 59.86 seconds was more than three seconds faster than the second placed Tomaz Laufer (Slovakia) and Heart Stealer. While the field contained mostly German riders, there were also some from the United States, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland and Slovakia.
Goodin teamed up with the 11-year-old grey mare after moving to Denmark in August, and he has high hopes going forward.
“I am very excited about her.”
But he knows, to make the New Zealand team for WEG, they will have to continue to perform like they did today.
