New Zealand’s dressage team has made history by qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games in London after the final leg of the regional qualifier in the Netherlands this week.

There were just two slots available for the African, Middle East, South East Asia and Oceania regions, which went to New Zealand and Australia.

It is the first time New Zealand has qualified a dressage team for an Olympic Games.

And in the second leg of qualifying for the World Cup, in s-Hertongenbosch in the Netherlands in April, Maurice Beatson, aboard his homebred steed, My Gollywog, is leading the charge after the first round of the Bomac World Cup show jumping championships, held in Hawkes Bay late last month.

But defending title holder, golden girl Katie McVean, will be hot on his heels, in the second round of the event at Kihikihi, this weekend.