World Champs team-mates Sir Mark Todd and Caroline Powell will fly the New Zealand flag high at this week’s Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials in the UK. The two, who were part of the New Zealand team to win bronze at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, will compete in separate divisions at the event which starts tomorrow and runs through until Monday (NZ time). Todd lines up in the 78 strong Equi-Trek CCI3* with Amacuzzi (owned by Maria Mazzocchi Bordone), who recently won the CIC3* at Chatsworth, and NZB Campino (owned by New Zealand Bloodstock and Todd). Last year, he and Leonidas II (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Todd) were second to William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Chilli Morning. Over the years, New Zealand combinations have done well in the Bramham CCI3*, with Andrew Nicholson winning twice with Nereo (owned by Deborah Sellar) and Henry Tankerville (owned by Mark Chamberlayne and Simon Chamberlayne), and Blyth Tait aboard Aspyring (owned by Team Toggi and Kiwi Belles Syndicate) also taking the top award. Organisers say their CCI3* is “regularly hailed as one of the greatest events of its level”, often attracting the very best horse and rider combinations, including Olympic, world and European champs. This year is no different with the likes of Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips, Kristina Cook, Mary King and Nicola Wilson all taking part in the event. More than 160 riders from 13 countries will contest three world class competitions – the Equi-Trek CCI3*, the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3* and the Bishop Burton College U25 CCI3*. The CCI3* dressage is set to start Thursday night (NZ time), running through Friday as well, followed by the Ian Stark OBE designed cross country and finally the showjumping. Powell is lining up against 73 other combinations in the CIC3* with Onwards and Upwards (owned by Cameron Crawford), and being picked as one to watch. The dressage is set to run over the first two days of competition, followed by the showjumping and cross country. Stark has also designed the course, albeit making it slightly less demanding and shorter than its big brother. There’s another New Zealand connection to the class, with Andrew Bennie president of the ground jury. Again, Kiwis have done well in the past in the CIC3*, with Jock Paget and Clifton Lush (owned by Lucy Allison and Frances Stead) winning in 2011 and Neil Spratt aboard Upleadon (owned by Mrs A Engel, Mrs S Robbins and Spratt) taking it out in 2009. Last year Clarke Johnstone and Incognito (owned by the Johnstone family) were third. Click here for draws & results
