Kiwis respected

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 30

Kiwis respected

NZPA Seoul New Zealand’s threeday eventing team has been tipped as the one to beat by the leading English rider, Captain Mark Phillips. Captain Phillips, the husband of Princess Anne, is making his second Olympic appearance after 16 years. j He was a member of the gold medal team at the 1972 Munich games and has also ridden with success in other world competitions. “One team that will be particularly strong are New Zealand,” Captain Phillips told a press conference. He called Mark Todd a "superb horseman” and expressed admiration for Tinks Pottinger who he said had been robbed of the 1986 World title only because her horse had been controversially ousted on the last day. The team had depth, he said, before hinting at the prospects of a newcomer. “They have a superhorse called Enterprise ridden by Marges Knighton,” he said. Enterprise, nicknamed “Jaws,” is a nine-year-old station-bred of unknown parentage yet to make an international appearance. Knighton took charge of the horse in July 1986 and has taken the gelding from a B grade

showjumper to Olympic contender. Although the horse has not done much as an eventer at advanced level, he has shown tremendous potential and came to Captain Phillips’ attention on one of his frequent coaching trips to New Zealand. The Los Angeles gold medallist, Todd, was more reserved about Enterprise which he described as “a good team horse.” But that had to be balanced against the horse being exposed to extensive travel for the first time and having to settle into a new environment along with the hurdle of such high class competition, he said. “He has done very well at home and it will be interesting to see how he performs,” Todd said. The rider returned Captain Phillips’ compliment and said the British had to be the frontrunners for team honours. “The British are always the ones to beat,” he said. “They have the strongest all round team.” All four members of the British line-up have extensive international experience even down to its most junior member, 24-year-old Karen Straker, a former junior European champion. Included in the line-up is Virginia Leng (Holgate) who took the bronze

medal behind Todd in Los Angeles and Lorna Clark, a member of Britain’s 1985 World and European championship winning team. Of the Kiwi horses only Mossman, the Australian ear-biter, was causing concern. The 14-year-old has shown to be favouring his back right leg and team management said a close eye would have to be kept on it over the next few days. All the other horses were in tremendous condition, Todd said, and he was particularly pleased with his 1984 winning mount, the pint-sized 16-year-old Charisma. “He is really thriving and I think he has even put weight on. We schooled him the other day and he went better than he has ever done.” A special incentive for Captain Phillips is the chance to receive a gold medal from his wife. Princess Anne is president of the International Equestrian Federation and is medal presenter for the three-day event. “It would be a dream come true if the team were to win at the Olympic Games and I were to receive a gold medal from my wife,” he said.

“But if the New Zealanders live up to their reputation, the British interest may be academic.”