Grayling guns for fourth World Cup title

Grayling guns for fourth World Cup title

Matthew Grayling from the Taranaki has his sights firmly set on claiming his forth FEI World Cup Eventing title at the New Zealand Qualifier event being held at the Kihikihi Domain near Te Awamutu this Easter weekend.

The FEI World Cup Eventing circumnavigates the globe from Russia to the USA, and Ireland to Kihikihi in New Zealand. Competitors gain points at any of the 18 international qualifying events in order to compete at the World Cup Final in Europe.

Grayling has had a stronghold on this flagship class of the Mitavite Horse Trial since 2004, and returns this year to compete on mount NRM Gordon amongst a fifteen strong field. Highlights of Graylings equestrian career have competing at the Olympic Games at Athens and finishing a credible eighth at the FEI World Cup Final in 2004.

Other contenders for the New Zealand qualifier event include reining National One-Day Champion Clarke Johnston (Oakley Vision) from Otago. Andrew Scott (Mitavite X Factor) from Central Districts and Megan Finlayson from Northland both have considerable international experience and will pose a threat to Grayling’s hopes of a fourth consecutive win. Local hopefuls include Lucy Jackson (Red Stag Mystery Creek) from Te Akau and Katie Hallam (Flintoff) from Morrinsville. The field will be competing for a NZ$15,000 prize pool as well as the chance to compete at FEI World Cup Final in Europe amongst the world’s best riders vying for a NZ$175,000 purse.

Grayling said that he is very much looking forward to riding the cross-country. “The course at Kihikihi has a huge reputation, and it really is world class. The jumps are so innovative and beautifully presented, and I can’t wait to see what challenges they have come up with this year” said Grayling.

Grayling won’t be disappointed, as Course Designer John Nicholson has continued to incorporate comic characters into the course, including the famous Winnie the Pooh theme which includes stump houses complete with Roo, Piglett, Tiger and Rabbit sculptures. Adding a uniquely New Zealand theme to the course are the Waka and giant Kiwi jumps.

Former World Champion Vaughn Jefferies will lead a public cross-country course walk at 11:30am on Friday before the Dressage starts at 2pm. The cross-country phase is held after midday on Saturday, and the show-jumping finale is at 10:30am on Sunday. A host of additional entertainment is also planned, including a Classic Car Picnic and performance from Gerry Merito formerly of the Howard Morrison Quartet. Spectator admission to the venue is completely free over all three-days of the event.

www.teawamutu.net/eventing

Notes for editors

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

 Contacts:
- Publicity Officer – Bevan Houlbrooke ph: 021 232 0784
- Media Liaison for radio comment - Monica Johns 021 734 915
- Event email: bevan.houlbrooke@gmail.com
- Event website: www.teawamutu.net/eventing

 Approximate time-table for key events:
- Friday 6 April – 11:30am – Cross-Country Course Walk with Vaughn Jefferis
- Friday 6 April – 2-5pm – Dressage
- Saturday 7 April – from midday approx – Cross Country
- Sunday 8 April – Show Jumping Course Walk with Vaughn Jefferis
- Sunday 8 April - 11am-12noon – Show Jumping
- Sunday 8 April – 12noon – Gerry Merito Live
- Sunday 8 April - 12:30pm - Prize Giving Ceremony & Victory Gallop

 Spectator admission is free

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

 Major sponsors are: Mitavite Horse Feeds, Waipa District Council, Newstalk ZB, Trust Waikato, SkyCity Hamilton Community Trust, Trillian Trust, NZ Community Trust, Pub Charity

 The FEI Eventing World Cup is the sport’s only linked series. The 2007 season consists of 18 qualifiers held in 11 countries worldwide. It will culminate in a Final to be held Europe. 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 2005 Trust-Power National Community Award and the 2004 Sport Waikato Club of the Year.

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