Mark Todd and NZB Campino (photo by Leslie Threlkeld); Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo (photo by Jenni Autry); Jock Paget and Clifton Lush (photo by Leslie Wylie); and Clark Johnstone with Balmoral Sensation (photo by Leslie Wylie).
Equestrian Sports New Zealand has announced that the following four riders will comprise its team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro:
- Mark Todd with NZB Campino or Leonidas II
- Jonelle Price with Classic Moet or Faerie Dianimo
- Jock Paget with Clifton Lush
- Clark Johnstone with Balmoral Sensation
The traveling reserve is Tim Price with Bango or Ringwood Skyboy.
Mark, Jonelle and Jock were on the squad that won team bronze at the 2012 Olympics in London. Clark’s horse was injured in the lead-up to the last Games but he has team experience as well, having contributed to a team bronze at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith, speaking from Auckland, remarked on the experience and depth of the team. “To have athletes selected who can draw on multiple Olympic medal-winning experiences from previous campaigns is a powerful thing. Not only for these athletes, but for the entire 2016 Olympic Games Team.
“I would like to congratulate Sir Mark Todd on continuing to raise the bar a head of his eighth Olympic Games appearance and wish everyone of the athletes selected today all the very best in Rio,” she said.
Toddy, who has five Olympic medals to his name, responded to the news. “I am very happy with my horses at the moment and the strong team that has been named. I am looking forward to the competition,” he said.
Clark commented, “To go to Rio and try to win a medal for New Zealand has been my number one focus for the last four years, so to be one step closer again is really,really exciting. I can’t wait.”
In addition to its eventing squad New Zealand will also sending one dressage representative to Rio, Julie Brougham with Vom Feinstein. Julie will be New Zealand’s third dressage Olympian, ahead of Kallista Field (2000 Games in Sydney) and Louisa Hill (2004 Games in Athens and 2012 Games in London).
“It has been an incredibly difficult process for selectors for both dressage and eventing,” said ESNZ High Performance Director Sarah Dalziell-Clout. “But when selection is difficult, it’s a positive sign for New Zealand’s equestrian sport for the future. There were a lot of solid performances at the highest level from our eventers over the past 18 months, with the majority of riders having successful performances on multiple horses.”
Blyth Tait and Jesse Campbell were also on the FEI Olympic nominated entry list. Six-time Olympic Andrew Nicholson, whose relationship with the ESNZ has been troubled since the 2014 WEG, was reportedly left off the list due to not having completed prerequisite paperwork. Traveling reserve Tim Price ran into bad luck earlier this year when his likely Rio horse, Wesko, was injured before Rolex.
ESNZ’s Olympic nomination criteria can be viewed here.
New Zealand is the fourth country to have confirmed a four-person Olympic eventing team, joining the U.S., Ireland and Germany.
[Sir Mark Todd set for eighth Olympic Games as Equestrian Team confirmed for Rio]
