New Zealand Qualifier 14–16 April 2006

FEI Eventing World Cup
New Zealand Qualifier 14 –16 April 2006
International Media Release for immediate release

This weekend New Zealand hosts the first 2006 FEI Eventing World Cup Qualifier to be held outside the northern hemisphere. The Mitavite Horse Trial at the Kihikihi Domain (Waipa District) will feature New Zealand’s only qualifier for this annual 18 linked event series held through-out the globe.

Fifteen leading New Zealand equestrians have entered the competition, which is to be held at the highest level of the sport using the format without steeplechase.

Athens Olympian Matthew Grayling, winner of the two previous New Zealand Qualifiers for the FEI Eventing World Cup and, is hoping to make it three in a row on his 2005 winning mount “Gordon”.

Grayling embarks on a quest not only to secure a spot at the FEI Eventing World Cup Final to be held in Sweden in September, but also to impress selectors for the World Equestrian Games held a month earlier in Germany.

A disappointing season last spring meant the pair did not gain a qualification to compete at the World Equestrian Games. Grayling will take every opportunity to impress the New Zealand selectors who will be closely monitoring this weekend’s event along with the two National Championship Events at Taupo and Wairarapa in the coming weeks.

The pair has already performed very well this season, winning their event and will be aiming to achieve a last minute qualification. “The FEI World Cup Qualifier at Kihikihi this weekend will be a crucial event for Gordon and me” said Grayling.

Local rider Chelsey Hawthorn is hoping her little mount Look at That is also on top form for the event. Last year this pair enthralled the crowd as they flew around the cross-country course taking all the direct routes to complete the event in second place. Since last year’s event Hawthorn and “Look at That” have been working hard on their weakest phase, the dressage.

Grayling said that he is very much looking forward to riding the Kihikihi cross-country. “It is a course that has built a reputation for being world class and is well renowned for its innovative jumps. I can’t wait to see what they have come up with this year” said Grayling.

Grayling won’t be disappointed, as International Course Designer John Nicholson has incorporated a new children’s wonderland with bridges and comic characters into the course. This adds to last years Winne the Pooh theme which included sculptured Roo, Piglet and Tiger figures, each with their own stump houses. Unique to the New Zealand course is the Waka Jump, which as the first obstacle, fittingly steers riders on their journey. These theme obstacles have become a trademark of the event and are popular with competitors and spectators alike.

The competition begins with the dressage on Good Friday with the FEI Eventing World Cup competitors due on at 2.00pm. On Saturday, they will tackle the cross-country at approximately 1.00pm.

Easter Sunday from 11am will feature the show-jumping finale. This will include an arena-side Classic Car Picnic offering equestrian action, a blend of live music, fine food and wine in the company of classic and vintage cars. Local crafts people will also showcase their talent with stalls set-up around the arena.

“We hope that people will come along and enjoy all stages of what is really an exciting sport” said event organiser Robyn North, adding “We make it easier for families to enjoy a day out as spectator admission is free”.

The efforts of the event organisers Kihikihi Eventing Inc has not gone unnoticed. Last month the voluntary organisation was named supreme winner at the TrustPower Community Awards. As this weekend is the tenth anniversary of the Kihikihi Domain hosting horse trial competitions, a double celebration is planned.

www.teawamutu.net/eventing

ENDS

Notes for editors

 Event news and results will be available from www.teawamutu.net/eventing

 Approximate Timetable for FEI Eventing World Cup class:
- Friday 14 April – 2-5pm – Dressage
- Saturday 15 April – 1pm approx – Cross Country
- Sunday 16 April – 11am-12noon – Show Jumping
- Sunday 17 April - 12:45pm - Prize Giving

 Spectator admission is free

 Event to be held at Kihikihi Domain (Te Awamutu), 20km south of Hamilton City.

 Major sponsors are: Mitavite Horse Feeds, Waipa District Council, Ford Motor Company, Trust Waikato, Newstalk ZB.

 The FEI Eventing World Cup is the sport’s only linked series. The 2006 season consists of 18 qualifiers held in ten countries worldwide. It will culminate in a Final to be held in Malmö (SWE) from 21 to 24 September. The FEI Eventing World Cup is organised at the highest level of the sport using the format without steeple chase. The series is designed in manner to encourage the participation of the world’s best riders and horses and thus promote such emblematic values of Eventing, as the constant quest for harmony between physical skills and mental balance, contact with nature, precision, stamina, agility and insightful training. The FEI Eventing World Cup is a showcase of a sport resolutely turned to the future.

 Event is produced by Kihikihi Waikato Eventing Inc named Supreme winner of the 2006 Trust-Power National Community Award and the 2005 Sport Waikato Club of the Year.

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