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Horse racing - Source: Photosport
Three New Zealanders have finished in the top 10 at the Australian international three-day event over the weekend at Adelaide.
Giving their horses debuts in a four-star event, Clarke Johnstone (Orient Express) finished sixth, Jenna Mahoney (Santos) eighth and Blair Richardson (Spend Up) ninth.
New Zealand lost experienced campaigner Heelan Tompkins whose mount, Sugoi, appeared lame after the dressage section.
Johnstone, Mahoney and Richardson were 23rd, 17th and 20th after the dressage.
But up against a world-class Australian field that included no fewer than five Olympic gold and silver medallists, they brilliantly rode the challenging cross-country course in 40deg heat to move into the top 10 where they remained after the showjumping phase.
"We are really excited about the future of eventing with horses and riders such as these," New Zealand eventing team coach Erik Duvander said.
"Coming into this competition against riders of this calibre, to say that we would have three riders finishing in the top 10 is not an expected result. This is a great result for the future of eventing."
Australians took the top five placings with Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney and Vettori jumping clear to win the competition on 65.8.
Olympic silver medallist Megan Jones finished second and third on Kirby Park Allofasudden and Kirby Park Irish Jester, respectively.
Amanda Howell was fourth on Koyuna Tora Bora, and Luke Jones on Soul was fifth.
Australia also won the Trans-Tasman competition held in conjunction with the event.
