World equestrian number one William Fox Pitt hopes a kiwi horse will help him repel the New Zealand challenge at the badminton trials starting in England tonight.
Fox Pitt is on a roll after victory in Kentucky last month, and rates Parklane Hawk, by the former Waikato stallion Grosvenor, as his top chance at Badminton.
Nine New Zealanders are competing at Badminton, with Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson leading the contenders.
It's a mixed weather forecast with rain predicted for cross country day.
