from: Voxy Sport (dated 17 May)

For the first time in eventing history, two cross-country courses will be run simultaneously at the New Zealand National Three-Day Event Championship in Taupo, 20 - 23 May. This organisational masterpiece will see more than 150 horse and rider combinations from two classes, the CCI* and Thomson Photography Pre-Novice Championship, run at two minute intervals around two adjoining cross-country tracks.

"This is a world first and a New Zealand first - it's never been done before," said Mark King, National Three-Day Event Championship Secretary. "The introduction of the national Thomson Photography Pre-Novice Championship is about supporting the grass roots of our sport. We have huge numbers of up-and-coming riders, or experienced riders with up-and-coming horses, competing at the Pre-Novice and CCI* levels, and all too often we have to turn people away. We didn't want to do that this year, and so we came up with the idea of running the Pre-Novice cross-country concurrently with the CCI* cross-country. We will also run the dressage over two days for the first time in five years."

The National Championship CCI***, which is the highest level of competition in New Zealand, will also be held over the weekend, along with the Thomson Photography Pre-Novice Championships, the CCI* and the Bell Tea CCI **.

"The CCI*** is always a fantastic class," Mark said. "It features New Zealand's best horses and riders, including former Olympic athletes, and it's the last event on the autumn calendar: everyone is out to compete."

This year's CCI*** stakes are even higher because of the upcoming World Equestrian Games, which will be held in Kentucky, USA, in September and October 2010: riders are looking to make one final impression.

"Taupo is a great event to showcase our sport," Mark said. "It allows spectators to see a lot more action and a greater range of riding. We are really lucky to have Thomson Photography sign on as sponsors, and Bell Tea is also returning to sponsor the CCI** class."

The dressage will be held on Thursday and Friday, starting at 8.30 a.m. The cross-country starts rain or shine on Saturday morning at 8.30 a.m., and the competition culminates with the show-jumping on Sunday at 9.30 a.m. The event is always a fantastic one to come and watch, and don't miss the opportunity to see history in the making!