The New Zealand Trans-Tasman Eventing team flies to Sydney today (Monday) to take on their Australian counterparts at the Sydney International Horse Trials next weekend, 26-28 April. The Trans-Tasman test will be staged at CCI3* level (long format) at the same venue as the 2000 Olympic Games, with Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR), the Olympic course designer, responsible for the cross-country course again this year.
There is a proud history attached to this biennial competition, first staged in 1985 at Gawler, South Australia, where an all girl Kiwi team stunned the well performed Aussies. It has been contested in alternate countries every second year since, with New Zealand winning routinely until 2001 when it was contested at the Adelaide CCI4*, the first running of the only 4* event in the southern hemisphere.
Since then, each nation has been victorious on their own soil, until the last test at Kihikihi (run in 2012 instead of 2011 due to logistical reasons), where the Australians jubilantly retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy, so the mission for the 2013 NZ Trans-Tasman team is to bring it home with them.
The team is: Simon Gordon, Karaka, on Fletch.com; Bryce Newman, Bulls, on Bates Trademark; Donna Smith, Te Kauwhata, on Just Chocolate or Balmoral Tangolooma; and Australian based Joe Waldron, Hamilton, Victoria, on Springvale All Black.
The non-travelling reserve is Dannie Lodder, Papakura, on Moochi, but she has decided to go at her own expense to compete as an individual. Smith is also taking both horses, one at her own expense which will also compete as an individual.
Apart from Waldron, these riders will be entitled to earn Bell Tea Super League points at Sydney, so will not be penalised by missing events in New Zealand due to representing their country. The points earned will be the equivalent of the NRM CCI3* at the National Three-day Event at Taupo on 17-19 May.
The team manager is Jean Johnstone, Otago (mother of UK based Clarke Johnstone), who has been chef d’equipe for successful NZ Young Rider Trans-Tasman teams. Former Olympian Tinks Pottinger, Masterton, will coach the team, and Alec Jorgenson of Hamilton Veterinary Services is the team veterinarian.
Virginia Caro
