NEW Zealand has named its first team of riders to take part in this year's World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.
Its all-female endurance team will comprise Alison Higgins (from Nelson) riding Twynham El Omar, Sue Reid (from Pokeno) riding Makahiwi Achilles, Jenny Champion (from Masterton) riding Freckles, Debbie Worsfold (from Rangiora) riding Northwinds Bradley McGregor, and Jenny Chandler (from Te Awamutu) riding Lace and Fineness.
Endurance is one of four disciplines for which New Zealand is likely to send a team to the 16-day event in the US in September.
The five-strong team will compete in the 160km endurance competition, the equestrian equivalent to the marathon, which can take up to 13 hours to complete.
While it is a team with relatively little international experience, those behind them are vastly experienced and very successful on the world stage.
The World Equestrian Games are held every four years.
The first was held in Stockholm in 1990 and this year's event in Kentucky is expected to attract riders from more than 60 nations.
The 16-day event is expected to generate about $US150 million for Kentucky.
Organisers say they will sell 600,000 tickets. The games run from September 25 to October 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
