MARLBOROUGH-BASED eventers Andrew Nicholson and Jonelle Richards have been included in New Zealand's five-strong team to contest Olympic gold in London.

Nicholson, who completed a one-two on Avebury and Quimbo in the CIC*** event at the Barbury Horse Trials on Sunday, creates a landmark alongside veteran double Olympic gold medallist Mark Todd, both riders representing their country at a record seventh Games.

Richards, who missed Barbury because of an arm injury, is included for her first Games appearance along with 2010 World Championship bronze medal winner Caroline Powell and Jonathan Paget.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general and selector Kereyn Smith said: “Equestrian eventing is an iconic New Zealand sport and one which has secured us 10 per cent of our nation’s Olympic medals.

“We look forward to the team also contributing to winning New Zealand’s 100th Olympic medal at London 2012 and we wish the athletes well as they prepare for the Olympic Games.”

Nicholson will compete aboard 12-year-old chestnut Nereo, on whom he won individual bronze at the 2010 World Championships.

The 50-year-old, whose previous Games appearances were in 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 and who is tipped as a potential gold medallist, said: “The pinnacle for me is an Olympic gold – that is at the top of my list.

"If I can arrive at the Olympics with Nereo in the state he should be in, then I am confident we will be competitive with the best, and in with a good chance of winning.

“There are some very good combinations from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Australia, America and the list goes on, but I do have an awful lot of faith in Nereo.”

Richards, 31, will ride 12-year-old Flintstar and said: "I feel very fortunate to have got the nod.

“Flintstar and I are a proven and reliable combination, and I know we add a very strong fifth link to a serious team.

"I have been training with Mark (Todd) since December, the horse is looking a million dollars and I feel everything has just fallen into place.”

New Zealand has a good eventing record at the Olympics, winning nine equestrian medals including three gold, two silver and four bronze - 10 per cent of the 90 Olympic medals won by New Zealand.

Nicholson was part of the New Zealand team to win silver at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and bronze in Atlanta four years later.

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