Equestrian: Field delighted with dressage mark

Equestrian Kallista Field posted her second New Zealand record in a week on Friday but has just missed the finals of the dressage competition.

Even so, Field was ecstatic with Waikare's performances at the Games, which far exceeded her aims.

Riding among the top 25 qualifiers on Friday, Field and Waikare scored an 68.04 per cent to beat the 66.44 mark she scored in the first dressage competition on Tuesday.

No New Zealand rider has ever scored as well in front of international judges.

Field missed out by one on qualifying among the top 15, who ride in the deciding medal round on Saturday.

Although 18th overall, Germany and the Netherlands were limited to three riders each in the finals so two of their highly placed combinations missed the cut, raising Field's informal ranking to 16th.

Her ride on Waikare today was even more impressive considering the trying conditions. The temperature soared to 34degC, while a howling northwest wind blew sand - as well as paper and plastic - across the Horsley Park arena.

Field said she was shocked at her score, but praised the 14-year-old mare's strength in the blistering heat.

``Its really amazing. She was getting a little bit tired I think from the heat or something. In the last little leg she said 'I'm tired' but she kept trying, she's just super. I'm really happy.''

The test today was a condensed version of the display the horses were asked to complete earlier in the week, and it had seemed Field, 21st after the first day, had little chance of reaching the top 15.

But her record score sent her loyal band of supporters delirious, and left long-time friend and dressage chef d'equipe Jude Simpson speechless.

Field said she had aimed for a personal best, but her calm displays propelled her much higher on the leader board than expected.

The 22-year-old from Pahiatua was the youngest in the contest, but she can now add Olympics experience to her world championship debut two years ago.

Although the best riders in the world are based in Europe, particularly in Germany where Field had ridden as a 17-year-old, she had no plans to base herself overseas yet.

``I can't afford to live in Europe, I haven't got the money.

``I didn't really think I'd get this far so its all a bonus. I've done way better than I thought I would.

``To get this far is amazing.''

Field will still retire Waikare after the competition. She plans to breed from the mare, and will take her next two horses Julius and Jamahl to Australian competitions in the coming months to try to qualify for the next world championships in Spain in 2002.

She will need to post scores of around 65 per cent with those horses to reach the championships.

``I think Julius has got a better competition brain, but you never know, so I'm lucky that I've got two to choose.''

As expected, the battle for the gold medal has become a battle between Bonfire for the Netherlands and Gigolo for Germany.

Bonfire, ridden by Anky van Grunsven, leads with a combined score of 153.13, compared with Gigolo and Isabell Werth on 151.99.

Gigolo was the surprise 1996 Olympics winner over Bonfire, with the two first and second at the world championships two years ago. Both horses are 17, and retire after Sydney.

- NZPA