Gold in Sight but Much to Do

Kiwi eventers are poised to take gold as they head into the final phase at the Aachen International Festival in Germany.

The team was sitting in third spot after the dressage phase overnight, with Australia leading, and hosts Germany second, but added just six faults to that score to move up the ranks.

The very strong British team remained on their dressage score to move from fourth to first while rails tumbled for Australia sliding them down the board.

Just the best three combinations from each country count towards the team score, and with a tough cross country course ahead of riders tonight (SAT NZ time) there is still much to do.

There is nothing between the top seven teams, so the race is truly on for the New Zealand riders to go clean and clear tonight.

World Games team bronze medallist Clarke Johnstone and Orient Express were the best of the New Zealanders overnight, with a brilliant 43.5 dressage score followed by a clear showjumping round, leaving him in ninth spot overall, just ahead of fellow world games team-mate Caroline Powell and her Burghley winning-mount Lenamore on 44.6 and in 11th place.

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo dropped a rail and picked up two time faults giving them a costly six faults to add to their dressage score.

Leading the individual field is world champion Michael Jung aboard La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.

The cross country will be completed this evening (Sat NZ time), and will no doubt throw plenty of changes at the leaderboard.

Last year, just a handful of horses jumped clear and inside time over the cross country course, which includes a lot of the 2008 world champs track. Conditions are said to be good over what teams are calling a very “well designed” course.

The world's best equestrian riders and horses are competing at the Aachen championships, which attracts over 360,000 spectators throughout the week. The festival finishes on Sunday.

Results (after the dressage and showjumping phases):

Great Britain 133.1 1; New Zealand (Clarke Johnstone, Clifton Promise 43.5, Andrew Nicholson, Nereo 50.4, Caroline Powell, Lenamore 44.6) 138.5 2, Germany 139.4 3, Australia 140.8 4, Sweden 150 5, France 155.9 6, Belgium 156.6 7.

Michael Jung (GER) La Biosthetique-Sam FW dressage 32.3, showjumping 0f, total 32.3 1; Stefano Brecciaroli (ITA) Apollo van de Wendi Kurt Hoeve 34.8, 5f, 39.8 2; Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) Flying Finish 41, 0f, 41 3; William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Neuf des Coeurs 42.1, 0f, 42.1 4; Ingrid Klimke (GER) FRH Butts Abraxxas 34.2, 8f, 42.2 5; Mary King (GBR) Imperial Cavalier 42.9, 0f, 42.9 6; Andreas Dibowski (GER) FRH Fantasia 43.1, 0f, 43.1 7; Marina Kohncke (GER) Calma Schelly 43.1, 0f, 43.1 8; Clarke Johnstone (NZL) Orient Express 43.5, 0f, 43.5 9; Caroline Powell (NZL) Lenamore 44.6, 0f, 44.6 11; Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Nereo 44.4, 6f, 22; Jonathan Paget (NZL) Clifton Promise 52.5, 0f, 52.5 25; Jonelle Richards (NZL) Flintstar 54.2, 15f, 69.2 39.