Clarke Johnstone (NZL), a perennially successful competitor in the FEI World Cup™ Eventing series, has got his 2011 campaign off to a brilliant start by scoring 77 points at the first leg of the series in Kihikihi (NZL).  

Riding his Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ team bronze horse Orient Express, Johnstone led from the outset, adding nothing to his Dressage score of 45.7 penalties.

He also finished third on his younger horse Incognito, and the combined tally now puts him a massive 39 points ahead of his nearest rival Chris Burton (AUS).

The New Zealander will be travelling to the second leg of the FEI World Cup™ Eventing in Sydney next month. If he can maintain this momentum with another strong placing, he has a great chance of improving on his final ranking of fifth in last year’s series.

"I was so nervous after Horse of the Year (where he lost the lead with two rails down) that I was going to lose it again,” explained Johnstone. “But Blue (Orient Express is by Blues Traveller) felt fantastic and was jumping out of his skin today.

“He felt pretty tired after the cross-country, but the ground was super and he recovered well. Thanks to John Nicholson – it was an amazing cross-country course. It was fantastic to ride.  The Australians coming to Kihikihi speaks volumes about the quality of the event.”
 
Johnstone is also setting his sights on picking up further FEI World Cup™ Eventing points in Europe later in the season: "After Sydney, I am hoping to do Le Pin au Haras - so will be looking to do three events.”

Kihikihi Australian visitor Chris Burton held onto second place throughout on his chestnut mare Holstein Park Leilani, adding just five Jumping penalties to his Dressage score of 45.9. This leaves Burton in second place in the FEI World Cup™ Eventing standings on 38 points.
 
Compatriot Shane Rose, fourth on Taurus and gaining 34 points at Kihikihi, should also have obvious chances on home territory in Sydney next month.

Seventeen horses started the competition at Kihikihi and there were 10 finishers.

The second leg of FEI World Cup™ Eventing will take place in Sydney (6-8 May 2011) before moving to Europe for a further five rounds.

Results
1. Clarke Johnstone/Orient Express (NZL) 45.7 + 0 + 0 = 45.7 penalties
2. Chris Burton/Holstein Park Leilani (AUS) 45.9 + 0 + 5 = 50.9 penalties
3. Clarke Johnstone/Incognito (NZL) 52.2 + 0 + 1 = 53.2 penalties
4. Shane Rose/Taurus (AUS) 50.7 + 0 + 4 = 50.4 penalties
5. Brent Jury/SE Brig (NZL) 66.3  7.2 + 1 = 74.5 penalties

FEI World Cup™ Eventing 2011 - standings after Kihikihi
1.    Clarke Johnstone (NZL) 77 points (41 + 36)
2.    Chris Burton (AUS) 38 points
3.    Shane Rose (AUS) 34 points
4.    Brent Jury (NZL) 32 points
5.    Simon Gordon (NZL) 2 points

FEI World Cup™ Eventing 2011 Calendar  
Kihikihi (NZL), 7-10 April 20
Sydney (AUS), 6-8 May 2011
Chatsworth (GBR), 14-15 May 2011
Strzegom (POL), 23-26 June 2011
Minsk (BLR), 13-17 July 2011
Malmö (SWE), 5-7 August 2011
Le Pin au Haras (FRA), 18-21 August 2011

FEI Photo Catalogue: high resolution images from the FEI World Cup™ Eventing 2011 series are available for free download for editorial purposes. The photographer and the FEI must be credited.