New Zealand equestrian rider Caroline Powell has produced a timely reminder of her undoubted quality with a big win in the UK to catapult back into contention for the Paris Olympics.
Powell's become just the second Kiwi woman to win the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials aboard mount Greenacres Special Cavalier. She joins iconic Kiwi equestrian names like Mark Todd, Blythe Tait, Andrew Nicholson and Jonelle Price in winning the event.
Powell's win couldn't have come at a better time, with the New Zealand Olympic equestrian team due to be named next month.
"[Cavalier] was absolutely amazing in the showjumping," Powell told RNZ. "She's only 11 years old, so she's a true professional and she jumped very very well.
"She's just always been a bit special in her own way and today she proved that she's extremely special."
Powell, 51, admits the result blew her expectations out of the water.
"I thought third place would be great, but to win - wow," she said. "It's awesome and it means so much.
"I'm not in my youth and just to get a horse to this stage is difficult enough, but to win - I can't believe it.
"We came in to the week sort of hoping that we were going to jump a double clearance and have a good week, but to win has been a major added bonus... very exciting."
Her effort may have paved the way for another appearance at the Olympics, after winning team bronze at London 2012.
