An experienced New Zealand showjumping team has today been named for the Tokyo Olympics with four-time Olympian Bruce Goodin heading the squad along with Olympian Daniel Meech and Sharn Wordley.
The last time New Zealand had showjumpers at an Olympic Games was in 2008 in Beijing.
Bruce Goodin riding Backatorps Danny V in Spain in 2019. Goodin will compete on the horse at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Photosport
Goodin, who's based in Sweden, has previously competed at Barcelona 1992, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
New Zealand has been represented by five showjumping teams at Olympic Games previously but with no medal success.
New Zealand's first showjumping Olympian was individual competitor Adrian White in Rome 1960.
Goodin said it's an honour to be named for another Olympic Games.
"It's always a thrill to be selected for the Olympic Games and represent New Zealand again," he said.
"It feels good to have Danny coming into good form at the right time. It is very exciting times. It will be a different Olympic Games I am sure but it is always very exciting to be there."
Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance general manager Jock Paget, an eventing team bronze medallist from the 2012 London Olympic Games, said it had been a very long and challenging preparation for riders, horses, owners and support crew.
"The riders have had to take every opportunity to show form and deal with the endless disruption to their campaigns," he said.
"They all showed an impressive amount of resilience and adaptability. Our hat goes off to not just our selected riders, but to everyone who lined up throughout this campaign and made the selectors' jobs difficult."
-RNZ
