Bryce Newman pulled Dunstan Inishturk out of contention for this year's Olympics, but just a couple of months later the pair are leading the Puhinui horse trials near Auckland.
Newman, aged 33, decided his nine-year-old was not ready for the rigours of Sydney's Games, but was left delighted at his dressage
test yesterday in which the pair picked up a score of 48.2 to lead a field which includes two world champions.
"He went as good as he could. He made a couple of little mistakes, but he's still quite green," Newman said. "I'm really pleased with him.
"I'm happy, but I'll be happier if I'm still leading on Sunday."
Newman, from Palmerston North, was long-listed for New Zealand's three-day event squad for the Olympics.
But he said he realised the horse had not competed at that level, and it was better not to push him forward too quickly.
"He'll improve. I wasn't prepared to risk him at Sydney."
Newman leads one of the best fields Puhinui has boasted in recent years, with 1994 world champion Vaughn Jefferis, on Bounce, second (49) and world champion Blyth Tait third, on Aspyring (50.2).
Jefferis had a good day, topping his individual result with the best score of the teams competition.
On his pick-up ride, Bakelo, Jefferis scored 45.6 to lead the New Zealanders to the front of the four-team contest.
New Zealand have 158.8 points, followed by the Rest of the World (176.8), Australia (180) and Britain (203).
"I thought he did a great test," Jefferis said. "I'm thrilled with that, absolutely. He was cool, he's a dude."
Jefferis is the defending champion on Bounce, but intends retiring the 18-year-old horse after the weekend.
All riders mount borrowed horses for the teams contest, held over a less difficult course than the main three-day event.
Mark Todd was thrilled with his horse, Mighty Heights, saying the six-year-old, a serving stallion, had ridden very well in the dressage.
Designed by Captain Mark Phillips, coach of the United States team, the cross-country course is expected to be as tough as it has been in the past, and Newman said it might ride harder than expected.
"Both my horses will be working hard to jump this course," he said.
Newman is eighth on his second ride, Dunstan Serengeti.
The cross-country will be held today, with the showjumping tomorrow.
