Equestrian: Cottle closes in on World Cup final

New Zealand's leading showjumping combination left today for the World Cup final in the United States.

Clevedon's John Cottle and Telegraph are preparing for the event at Las Vegas on April 22-24 after dominating domestic showjumping this season.

Late last month, the duo won the horse of the year title, Cottle's sixth and Telegraph's first.

Now they must adjust to indoor jumping against 45 of the world's best.

Cottle, a two-time Olympian, has twice represented New Zealand at the World Cup final so he knows it will be a big ask.

"The indoor arenas don't suit our horses entirely. Telegraph will jump the jumps, but it is the concentration level."

Ear plugs are out of the question, as Telegraph is difficult enough just to get a bridle on, let alone putting things in his ears.

"Even at the horse of the year show, he was a bit spooky with the crowd and distracted easily. He just needs to get used to the environment."

That's not to say Cottle has not got time for the horse.

"I have a lot of confidence in this horse," said Cottle, who bred him as part of a programme in Gisborne, sold him as a two-year-old, and was only reunited with him 19 months ago.

It took the two a little while to settle as a team, but winning the national championships in 2003 marked a sign of things to come.

"Telegraph has tremendous scope. He is relatively green at top level and yet keeps improving. He is great when the pressure is on."

Cottle was joint winner on Arturo of the big grand prix at the World Cup final in 1983 in Vienna. He also rode in 1996 in Geneva.

Points accumulate over the three days of the World Cup show, with only the top 20 competing on the final day which is run over two rounds.

"I will be thrilled if the horse goes well. If I can make that third day it would be excellent," he said.

Telegraph will be started at an outdoor show near Los Angeles before the World Cup final.

Following that, he will be rested for about three weeks then prepared to compete at Canada's Spruce Meadows, one of the world's most prestigious show venues.

Telegraph is owned by Cottle, his wife Jackie, Steve Cohen and Monica Lindemann.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand chief executive Justine Kidd was full of praise for Cottle and Telegraph's season.

"John is one of our most experienced and accomplished riders. The World Cup final is one of the world's prestigious jumping competitions and for New Zealand to have a combination of Cottle and Telegraphs calibre qualified to compete is tremendous," she said.

"Competing there will be an exciting moment for everyone and a testament to the work and effort they have put in over the past two years."

The World Cup of showjumping started in 1979 and this is the sixth time it has been held in the US.

- NZPA