NZ equestrians fifth as German's triumph

New Zealand have matched their performance at Athens four years ago, finishing a distant fifth when equestrian's three-day event culminated with German victory at Sha Tin in Hong Kong early today (NZ time).

A clear round by Mark Todd and Gandalf was the highlight of a New Zealand performance that saw the eventing legend and first time Olympian Caroline Powell progress to the individual medal round, though neither are likely to make the podium later this morning.

Despite producing New Zealand's worst round Joe Meyer also made the top 25, though only just, because nations were only allowed a maximum of three riders – a rule that knocked out members of the medal winning teams.

Germany clung to their slender lead from yesterday's cross country to pip Australia for the gold medal. The last combination, Hinrich Romeike and Marius, dropped one rail but regained their composure to initiate wild celebrations among their team-mates and supporters.

The efficient Germans dropped just three rails and eventually recorded a total of 166.10 penalties. Australia, who had clear rounds from Lucinda Fredericks and Sonja Johnson tallied 171.20.

Great Britain (185.70) claimed the bronze.

New Zealand required three perfect rounds and a flawed performance from their closest rivals Italy and Sweden to improve on the sixth placing they held after a disastrous cross country endurance test yesterday.

They had an early leg up when Sweden had to withdraw two horses after the cross country, enabling New Zealand to improve to fifth by default although the depleted Scandinavians eventually recovered to after Italy's Susanna Bordone dislodged four rails for a costly 16 penalties.

New Zealand also had an opportunity to profit from Bordone's fragility but unfortunately Meyer, who started the night 19th overall, endured an even worse experience on Snip.

The grey gelding never settled from a scratchy clearance of the first fence and proceeded to lower five rails for 20 penalties. They were also outside the 94 second time limit to incur another five penalties.

New Zealand ended with 240.90 penalties, 10 adrift of the Swedes but a rail clear of the Italians.

Powell and Lenamore provisionally improved to 22nd overall after dropping a single rail while Todd also rose inside the top-25 on the back of another smooth performance in his Olympic comeback after eight years of retirement.

New Zealand results

Three-day event

New Zealand 240.90 penalties, 5th (three best scores): Andrew Nicholson/Lord Killinghurst 1000 eliminated after cross country, Heelan Tompkins/Sugio 138.80 51st, Joe Meyer/Snip 90.10 29 Mark Todd/Gandalf 77.60 22, Caroline Powell/Lenamore 73.20 20.

-NZPA