There is extra incentive for the Kiwi jumpers who have received a wild card entry into the FEI Nations Cup competition in Drammen, Norway, this month with it doubling as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games giving combinations a chance to gain their FEI Certificate of Capability.

Richard Gardner aboard Calisto 5, Bruce Goodin on Backatorps Danny and Daniel Meech aboard Fine are joined by newcomer to the New Zealand team Uma O’Neill on Clockwise of Greenhill Z.

Bruce, Daniel and Richard were on New Zealand’s winning Nations Cup team at Abu Dhabi last year and have ridden in other Nations Cup competitions. Bruce’s 11-year-old bay Backatorps Danny – by Quasimodo Z out of Zepper (by Lupicor) – represented New Zealand at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, as did Daniel’s 11-year-old mare Fine – by Corlensky G out of Cicilia (by Ciceron).

The three will also compete in other classes at the show – Richard aboard Cromwell 32 and Roulette 134, Bruce on Copain VDB Z and Daniel on Cinca 3.

Uma and her 12-year-old German-bred grey stallion Clockwise of Greenhill Z – by Clearway out of Gala (by Caretino) – only made the switch to New Zealand this year but come with a very solid track record including a win in the CSI4* World Cup in Vancouver. Warrick Allan is chef d’equipe for the team.

In all 132 athletes from across the globe are expected at the event, which is being held as part of the four-week Drammen Spring Tour, with New Zealand the only nation to gain wild card entry into the CSIO3*. The tour is the biggest equestrian event ever to be held in Norway.

The first horse inspection is on Wednesday (May 15) with competition starting the following day. The Nations Cup competition is scheduled for Friday (May 17) afternoon and the Grand Prix on Sunday (May 19).

WHAT: Drammen CSIO3*
WHERE: Drammen, Norway
WHEN: May 16-19, 2019
MORE INFO: www.drammenspringtour.com

The horse details:
Calisto 5 – owned by GestGestüt Jennissen, Gut Nechen Agrar GmbH
Cromwell 32 – owned by Gestüt Jennissen, Gut Nechen Agrar GmbH
Roulette 134 – owned by
Backatorps Danny – owned by Backatorp Ryder AB
Copain VDB Z – owned by Horses4sale & ES Jumping & Services AB
Clockwise of Greenhill Z – owned by Uma O’Neill
Fine – owned by Ann Liwing and Daniel Meech and Supporters
Cinca 3 – owned by Johnson Horses GmbH

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison