Olympian out of dressage nationals

Julie Brougham will have to wait another year to claim the Burkner Medal after being forced to pull out of the national dressage competition at Manfeild this week.

The Rio Olympian had been set to compete for one of the few New Zealand titles she has not already won, but was forced to pull out of the event on Tuesday after mount Vom Feinstein had a ‘‘slight lameness’’.

Brougham, from Palmerston North, described the decision to withdraw as a huge disappointment.

The national dressage competition doubles as the Pacific League World Cup Dressage competition.

The winner gets to contest the FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, United States in April.

Brougham’s withdrawal removes her from contention for the world cup but equally disappointing is that she misses out on the chance to tick off another career goal.

‘‘There is one goal that I have not achieved in New Zealand and it has eluded me for many years and that is the Burkner medal,’’ she said.

‘‘Steiny has been notorious for misbehaving at New Zealand Nationals.’’

She said while Manfeild was her favourite dressage venue in New Zealand, Vom Feinsten has been less enthused by it.

‘‘I wish my horse looked upon it as favourably as I do. I don’t know why but he seems to get spooked on that Saturday night when we have freestyles,’’ she said.

While Brougham is no longer in contention, she said there was still a top slate of riders.

Ashhurst’s Penny Castle is the top Manawatu hope in the grand prix. She is back with Magnus Spero after nearly a year off while her mount recovered from injury.

Castle and Magnus Spero won the Burkner medal in 2015 - Castle also won aboard Gymstar One in 2011.

But she is not the only rider in Friday and Saturday night’s grand prix events with past success.

Defending champion John Thompson on JHT Antonello (Waikato) will head in as the favourite after Brougham’s withdrawal, while Vanessa Way claimed the title in 2014.

Other riders in the major grand prix events are Taranaki’s Abbie Deken, Waikato pair Bill Millar and Jody Hartstone and Waitemata’s Wendi Williamson.

Castle also has a second horse, BL About Time, competing at the top level.

Brougham said there were a number of other Manawatu riders worth keeping an eye on throughout the weekend including level eight riders Julie Pearson on Zinster and Susan Tomlin on Dancealong, level seven rider Toni Louisson on Astute and a trio of level five riders with Tomlin on Reflextions, Rochelle Speirs on Vollrath Latimer and Raewyn Passey on Henton Distinctive.

‘‘I am sure those riders will all be figuring somewhere in the ribbons,’’ Brougham said.

Nearly 200 horses have been entered in the competition which starts on Thursday and wraps up on Sunday.

The event’s international ground jury includes Pahiatua’s Sue Hobson.