Equestrian: Kiwis off pace after Badminton dressage

BADMINTON, England - After two days of dressage, the strong New Zealand contingent of six riders with 10 horses lay well off the pace at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.

Best placed was Canterbury's Annabel Wigley and Black Drum who finished in 15th place.

Wigley was delighted with her dressage test and is hoping for a better round in Saturday's cross country than last year when she was forced to retire through injury.

New Zealand team stalwart Andrew Nicholson brought two of his less experienced horses in Silbury Hill (lying 33rd) and Armada (50th), keeping his top horse Lord Killinghurst at home with August's Beijing Olympics in mind.

Asked about the cross country Nicholson said: "Its more technical than its been for a long time."

Eighty starters faced the dressage judges and the leader going into the cross country is 2006 winner Australian Andrew Hoy on Moon Fleet.

- NZPA