Meech leads the way in showjumping

The three New Zealand equestrian riders found the going tough in the individual jumping qualifying round.

The top 30 of the field of 65 who started progressed to the final, but the quality of riding was so high that it required a clear round with minimal time penalties to advance.

The leading 25 qualifiers rode clear and inside the time.

Daniel Meech, riding Cinca 3, was the only New Zealander who got through. He finished with 2 faults and placed 30th, right on the line. Meech went clear and was 0.387s over the allotted 90 seconds.

Bruce Goodin, on Danny V, knocked down three rails and placed 57th in qualifying.

The third New Zealander, Uma O’Neill, riding Clockwise of Greenhill Z, had four rails down and was placed 64th.

Meech, 47, is vastly experienced, a veteran of the 1996 and 2004 Olympics and he and Cinca 3 coped with the tricky course and the night lighting well.

“I was proud of her. It’s by far the biggest occasion ever for her,” he said. “She took a little time on some jumps, and we went over time, but really I couldn’t have asked for more – she was perfect tonight, very gutsy.”

Goodin, 51, has an even bigger Olympic history than Meech, having competed in four Games stretching back to Barcelona in 1992.

He thought he was in for a good round, so well did Danny V start. “About halfway round, he lost his rhythm and it was difficult after that. In fact, I was pleased to get home with only three down because it could really have fallen apart.

“I wasn’t happy with the round, especially as he was jumping so great at the start.”

O’Neill, the youngster of the team, is in her first Olympics.

She said that Clockwise of Greenhill Z started well. “He warmed up well and he jumped some of the hardest parts,” she said. “But it was really hot and he sweats a lot. Near the end I was struggling to hold on to the reins – they got slick – and there were some unfortunate faults in there.”

The New Zealanders will take part in the team jumping competition on Friday.