New Zealand has strong potential for their 13 combinations set to start at the Burghley International Horse Trials that begin today in the UK. Equestrian Sports New Zealand eventing high performance leader Erik Duvander says he couldn't be happier with the preparation of his riders for one of the top events on the global eventing calendar and the next round of the rich HSBC FEI Classics Series. One New Zealand rider to watch will be World Championship bronze medallist Andrew Nicholson. He has also won this event title twice and often finished in second place. Nicholson recently won the British Open Championship, finishing first on Nereo and second on Avebury the two horses hell start at Burghley. Adding to the Kiwi team is defending champion Caroline Powell and rising star Jonathon Paget who placed seventh in his first world championships in 2010. Duvander says any of those three could win, with another raft of Kiwis capable of making the top 10. These strong hopes are with world cup series winner Clarke Johnstone, double Olympic gold medallist Mark Todd, and Jonelle Richards and Neil Spratt. Blyth Tait will be out to make a good impression on selectors as he tries to earn a spot on the Olympic long list. To be getting such results this early in our preparation for the Olympics shows we are on track, says Duvander. Our (high performance) squad riders are looking amazing. Also starting at Burghley from New Zealand will be Craig Nicholai and Dan Jocelyn. Burghley will open with dressage, which will run through Friday as well, followed by the cross country, designed by Captain Mark Phillips, on Saturday and show jumping on Sunday.
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