Do or Die for NZ Eventer in Sydney

It's do or die for New Zealand eventers hoping to catch selectors' eyes before the Kiwi team for the World Equestrian Games is announced on Wednesday.

Clarke Johnstone and Orient Express are the only combination still in contention in the Southern Hemisphere, and they'll start tomorrow (Friday) at the Sydney International Three Day Event where they'll be up against Australian's cream of the crop also vying for their national team.

It's the final selection class for the Australians, and included in the line-up are the likes of Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney, Beijing 2008 Olympic team silver medallists Megan Jones, Sonja Johnston and Shane Ross, among other rising stars.

But don't think for a moment the 23-year-old Waikato-based South Islander will be at all intimidated by the company. He and his 12-year-old bay gelding are a hot chance to lead the field home through the dressage, cross country and showjumping disciplines in the WEG special class.

The CCI4* Sydney international runs through to Sunday.

Also competing this weekend in the United Kingdom is the in-form Andrew Nicholson aboard Nereo, Mark Todd on Grass Valley, Joe Meyer on Clifton Lush and Jonathan Paget on Clifton Promise. It's last-gasp stuff for both Meyer and Paget – Meyer's top horse Snip fractured a bone in his hock just days before the Hartpury selection trials, putting him out of contention, and Paget had an unfortunate fall in the cross country at Hartpury on the back of posting the highest Kiwi score in a friendly against the Australians earlier in the week.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand eventing chef d'equipe Erik Duvander faces a difficult selection, with some impressive and solid performances from all of the seven on the short-list – the other being Caroline Powell on Mac MacDonald.

The World Equestrian Games are in Kentucky next month and New Zealand will field teams in showjumping, eventing and endurance.

THE LOW DOWN ON THE SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL 3DE

Sydney International Three-Day Event
Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park
26-29 August, 2010
http://www.sydneyeventing.org/3DE