New Zealand's top eventers are doing battle against the best in the world at the prestigious Aachen International Festival in Germany tonight (NZ time).

Jonelle Richards, pictured on Reminiscent at Salperton horse trials last year. © Al Crook

In a rare opportunity to compete as a team, World Equestrian Games bronze medallist Andrew Nicholson aboard Nereo spearheads the Kiwis alongside Jonathan Paget on Clifton Promise, Caroline Powell on her 2010 Burghley winner Lenamore, Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express and newcomer Jonelle Richards on Flintstar.

The NZ team is one of just 10 invited to compete at the world's largest annual equestrian event, which encompasses five disciplines, although New Zealand is represented only in eventing.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris says it's a great opportunity to try team combinations a year out from London and she's got no qualms about saying the podium is the aim.

"That said, the other competitors are very strong, in particular the Brits who have been winning everywhere," she said. "Their depth of horsepower is impressive at the moment, and of course, the Germans will look to dominate on their home ground."

The dressage and showjumping phases will be held overnight (Friday NZ time), with the cross country Saturday (NZ time). Three of the five scores will count.

"They are using a lot of the 2008 world champs cross country track, so it will be tough course."

The charged atmosphere inside the stadium where the dressage and showjumping are held is very much like an Olympic Games or World Championships.

Harris is especially looking forward to seeing Richards step up to a new level.

"The others are now seasoned campaigners and for them this is just another step towards London."

The world's best equestrian riders and horses are competing at the Aachen championships, which attracts over 360,000 spectators throughout the week. The festival finishes on Sunday.

Sourced from: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/07/102.shtml