No show possible for top NZ jumper

New Zealand's equestrian team is braced to absorb another setback after it emerged the horse of leading showjumper Daniel Meech is in serious doubt.

As if Andrew Nicholson's crashing out of the three-day event on Monday was not bad enough, those woes have been compounded by Meech's mount Sorbas struggling with an infected hoof.

Although the pair have been able to jump practice rounds at the Olympic equestrian base here at Sha Tin, it is unlikely Sorbas will make the judges' medical assessment at tomorrow's trot up, a day before the competition starts.

Should Meech – who recorded New Zealand's best-ever finish for a showjumper when placing 12th at Athens four years ago – be ruled out he will be replaced by travelling reserve Kirk Webby.

The American-based Webby was considered unlucky to miss selection when the four-member squad of Meech, Bruce Goodin plus first-time Olympians Sharn Wordley and Katie McVean were named in June.

Webby, who lives in rural New Jersey, was regarded as New Zealand's leading prospect until about March this year when his horse Sitar fell ill and required stomach surgery.

"Our back-up plan is a hell of a good one," New Zealand showjumping Greg Best said.

"If we lose one we've got a great one sitting in the wings waiting to compete. Everyone assumed Kirk was knocked out of contention but the horse recovered incredibly well."

Unfortunately for Belgium-based Meech, the prognosis was not as positive for Sorbas, who is thought to have been up the injury during the five-week quarantine in Germany before the horses arrived in Hong Kong on August 4.

New Zealand's medical team were not expected to make a final decision until later today, but Best did not sound optimistic.

"There's a reasonable likelihood he won't be present (at the trot up). It's disappointing for Daniel," Best said.

"He (Sorbas) came in (to quarantine) all guns blazing, he was looking like a true medal candidate, he was just fantastic."

While Sorbas has been able to train, it has been pared back and the New Zealand team were pondering whether competing would cause more serious damage.

After the first individual round, the team competition is held over two rotations. The individual competition then resumes with the top 35 aiming to survive the cull to 20 for the final medal round next Thursday.

New Zealand are aiming to crack the top half of a 16-nation tournament expected to be dominated by the Europeans and defending Olympic champions, the United States.

"It's a blow to our chances (if Sorbas is unavailable) but we're hoping for top eight, maybe even better," Best said.

"Individually we're firing away to get a top 10 or a top 15 finish as well."

-NZPA