Equestrian: Todd sure young team capable of winning gold

By HELEN TUNNAH

Coach Mark Todd is confident New Zealand's inexperienced eventing team have a strong chance of defending their gold medal when they compete at the world games in Spain next month.

Todd said that although the team comprised four newcomers to world championship level, they were all good riders capable of performing well.

Heelan Tompkins, Bryce Newman, Kate Lambie and Dan Jocelyn will join 1998 double gold medallist Blyth Tait and veteran rider Andrew Nicholson in Spain for the championships from September 10-22.

Tait is the only survivor from the line-up who won the world team title in Italy four years ago.



Todd said yesterday that Lambie and Tompkins had been riding well on the British circuit, including at Badminton, and would have gained a huge amount of confidence.



The New Zealanders were red-hot favourites to win the gold medal in Italy four years ago, and dominated the contest. They won the team gold. Tait pipped Todd for the individual title and New Zealand riders filled four of the top five places.

Tait, who is recovering well from a head clash with a horse late last month, will captain the side.

The six New Zealand riders will be split into a team of four and two individual competitors for the games in Jerez, with all still eligible for the individual gold medal.

The four team riders will be named after the first veterinary inspection on September 11, on the eve of the competition.

The riders do not have to decide which horses they will take to Spain until late this month.

New Zealand's main opposition for the gold will come from the strong British line-up, Olympic champions Australia, the United States and France.

New Zealand will also have dressage and endurance riders in Spain.

Kallista Field will ride at her second world championships in dressage, and four riders have been selected in the endurance team.

They include Madonna Harris, a cycling, hockey and athletics representative, and her partner Paul Jeffrey, whose horse Billy Idol is ranked fourth in the world.

Eventing: Blyth Tait (Ready Teddy, Rongotai), Andrew Nicholson (Fenicio, Climb The Heights), Bryce Newman (Dunstan Inishturk), Heelan Tompkins (Crusada, Glengarrick), Dan Jocelyn (Silence, Pee Wee), Kate Lambie (Alibi). Non-travelling reserve: Ginny Loisel (Johnny Appleseed).

Dressage: Kallista Field (Jamahl).

Endurance: Brian Tiffin (Daintree Pagan), John Stevenson (Makahiwi Zanzibar), Paul Jeffrey (Rhan), Madonna Harris (Billy Idol). Reserve: Jaki Bickerton (Jerezano).