Silver for Kiwi Eventers

A storming finish from the top Kiwi eventers was not quite enough to give them gold at the Aachen International Festival in Germany tonight (Saturday).

The team finished second, just behind Great Britain who have been in devastating form this season, with Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express and Caroline Powell on Lenamore both in the top 10.

Twenty-four-year-old Johnstone was a little lost for words after finishing in sixth place overall.

“I am so pleased that we've come out at an event like this and done so well,” he said. “It is just fantastic.”

All of the New Zealand team members moved up the rankings on the back of their cross country efforts.

World champs team bronze medallist Johnstone went clear and picked up just 1.6 time faults over a very challenging cross country course, underlining his determination to make the final cut for the London Olympics.

Powell, his teammate from world champs, also went clear with 2.8 time, to finish in seventh spot. Both Andrew Nicholson on Nereo and Jonathan Paget on Clifton Promise were clear and inside time, finishing 15th and 16th respectively.

Newcomer Jonelle Richards and Flintstar were the first out for the Kiwis over the cross country course, and rode a brilliant trail blazing ride, to finish 33rd .

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris was rapt with the whole team, saying they're right on track for London.

“I couldn't ask for any more from them,” she says. “We were in the medal hunt right from the start. The cross country was tough and time very tight, so all our crew did very well.”

She had plenty of praise for Johnstone, whose performance came on the back of world cup wins in both Kihikihi and Sydney earlier this season.

“He came out here and his sixth placing is the result of a well deserved performance. He has really shown what he is capable of.”

ESNZ eventing high performance coach Erik Duvander says there is still work to be done by the whole team, but he was chuffed with the result.

“All our riders are working very hard and improving all the time. There was a lot of atmosphere out there but they were good to the end.”

World champion Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW was all class on his way to individual victory, finishing off a dominating performance with just 2..4 time faults over the cross country.

Results, team:

Great Britain 134.7 1; New Zealand (Clarke Johnstone, Orient Express 45.1, Caroline Powell, Lenamore 47.4, Andrew Nicholson, Nereo 50.4) 142.9 2, Sweden 159.2 3, Australia 161.2 4, Germany 172.5 5, France 222.5 6, Belgium 238.2 7, Italy 253.6 8.

Individuals:

Michael Jung (GER) La Biosthetique-Sam FW dressage 32.3, showjumping 0f, cross country 2.4 total 34.7 1; Stefano Brecciaroli (ITA) Apollo van de Wendi Kurt Hoeve 34.8, 5f, 1.6, 41.4 2; William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Neuf des Coeurs 42.1, 0f, 0,42.1 3; Mary King (GBR) Imperial Cavalier 42.9, 0f, 0f, 42.9 4; Andreas Dibowski (GER) FRH Fantasia 43.1, 0f, 0.8, 43.9 5; Clarke Johnstone (NZL) Orient Express 43.5, 0f, 1.6, 45.1 6; Caroline Powell (NZL) Lenamore 44.6, 0f, 2.8, 47.4 7; Sara Algotsson-Osholt (SWE) Wega 42.5, 5, 0, 47.5 8, Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) Flying Finish 41, 0f, 6.8, 47.8 9,

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Nereo 44.4, 6f, 0, 50.4 15; Jonathan Paget (NZL) Clifton Promise 52.5, 0f, 0, 52.5 16; Jonelle Richards (NZL) Flintstar 54.2, 15f, 36.4, 105.6 33.