From Equestrian Sport NZ (dated 26 September 2010)

Don't forget you can follow the endurance riders on www.radderydiskmark.com and live updates and results from the games on www.alltechfeigames.com/results.
Go the Kiwis!!

It's game on for the New Zealand endurance crew at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.
The horses all passed their vet checks this morning and it's all systems go for their 160-kilometre race tomorrow (Sunday US time).
For endurance vet Nick Page and chef d'equipe Madonna Harris – along with riders, grooms and supporters – it was an anxious wait this morning, despite knowing all the horses were it peak condition.
Not all teams looked to be so lucky in getting through – some getting the lenience of a re-present and others sent back to the stables, heads down. But no such problems for the Kiwis.
Rain last night has taken a bit of the sting out of the 160-kilometre track – much to the delight of endurance team farrier Rodney King.
New Zealand riders Alison Higgins (Nelson) aboard Twynham El Omar, Jenny Chandler aboard Lace and Fineness, and Debby Worsfold on Bradley McGregor will line up for a mass start against 105 other combinations from all over the globe.
The atmosphere will be charged, with adrenalin, nerves, noise, flags and all sorts of other sounds, as some competitors jockey for position at the front of the field, while others are keener to hang back slightly.
They'll do six loops, varying in distance from 18 kilometres through to 39.9 kilometres. At the end of each loop, they'll be under the watchful eye of a vet and stewards as their horses take a breather, and are worked on by grooms to bring their heartbeats down to a certain level and they're checked from head to toe. If they don't, they're out.
It's a challenging discipline and one that calls for control.
But Harris says it also needs plenty of courage from the riders.
With just three in the New Zealand team, there is no room for error, with no chance of any team accomplishment if all don't finish the race. Favourites are the Spanish and the UAE.
The race marks the start of the World Equestrian Games for New Zealand. Next up will be the eventers Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell, Jonathan Paget and Clarke Johnstone, who face their trot up and vet check on Wednesday (US time) followed by the start of the dressage on Thursday.
Thousands packed into the main arena at the games tonight to watch a rather spectacular opening ceremony. The New Zealand team was led in by Andrew Nicholson.
The World Equestrian Games are being hosted in Lexington, Kentucky, and run through until October 10. New Zealand is also represented in showjumping.
It is the first time the games have been held outside of Europe and will attract more than 800 riders from nearly 60 countries. It is expected to be worth around $US150 million to the economy.