Tait best of Kiwi contingent after first day of dressage
WELLINGTON: Blyth Tait, back competing at international level for the first time in almost 15 years, was the best placed of the New Zealand eventers after the first day of dressage at the World Equestrian Games in the United States yesterday.
Tait was eighth in the individual standings with Sir Mark Todd in 14th spot and New Zealand fifth in the team standings.
Germany topped the team standings followed by Australia in second and France third with another day of dressage to come.
Tait (57) has made no secret about just how happy he is to be back in an elite national team at a pinnacle event.
His record at world championships is impressive — in 1990 he won individual gold aboard
Messiah and was part of the gold medalwinning team too.
The WEG did not go so well for him in the Hague in 1994 when he was eliminated but he bounced right back in 1998 in Rome with Ready Teddy to take both team and individual gold again.
So, he figures things could work in his favour if his pattern continues.
‘‘I’m either in or out,’’ he said.
He was pleased with the efforts of 14yearold Dassett Courage.
‘‘He is not that experienced at this level and it was a good solid first score for the team.’’
His ‘‘fantastic’’ teammates had urged him to be brave, but he thought it sensible ‘‘not to rock the boat too much’’ as the first rider out.
‘‘You need strength in numbers for a good team result.’’
Eventing team dressage coach Isobel Wessels said Tait had done a super job with Dassett Courage.
‘‘It was full of running with lovely canter and walk work,’’ she said. ‘‘All his flying changes were superb, and he came out smiling.’’
Tait felt the crosscountry was a good galloping course, but it would be the luck of the draw as to what the weather was like on the day.
Todd received a huge welcome into the arena aboard his 11yearold Holsteiner, McClaren.
While McClaren is only in his second ‘‘proper’’ season of eventing, Todd is attending his sixth WEG.Together they pro duced a test that featured lovely moments of harmony and energy, showing the horse is most certainly one to watch for the future.
‘‘He tried hard,’’ Todd said. ‘‘He is very much a horse in the making but his greenness showed through in places. He has never seen anything like that and he felt a little distracted in there, and that is when the mistakes sneak in.’’
He was pleased to come out with 31.4.
‘‘He is a very brave and super jumper.’’
Julie Brougham on Vom Feinsten finished 36th in the pure dressage category. — RNZ