NZ EQUESTRIAN News


Bring it on!
Thursday, 12 September 2013


It’s countdown time for New Zealand Jumping Teams in Australia for the Oceania Championships test series this month.

Riders from both the senior and young rider teams will this week compete at the highly-ranked Spring Showcase of Showjumping in an unofficial test class.

Chef d’equipe John Cottle says the informal teams class will be a great build-up to the official test at Werribee next week, the first time a Trans Tasman clash has been contested on Australian soil since 2005. “I was at this show last year and was most impressed by the presentation, ground conditions and level of competition,” he said.

There’s $AUS50,000 prize money on offer at the event, which is organised by John and Kerrie Winning. Their daughter Jamie is no stranger to New Zealand jumping enthusiasts, having competed here successfully over the years, and now working towards the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The show, being held at the very picturesque Sydney Polo Club fields at Richmond, starts tomorrow and runs through until Sunday. There are two big classes at the show, including a boys v girls speed challenge dash for cash, with the gold class final on Sunday including the Trans Tasman stouch.

Expected to compete are three time Olympian Vicki Roycroft, World Championship representatives Chris Chugg and Jamie Kermond, and current Australian senior champ Tom McDermott.The event is part of a series that aims to introduce jumping to a broader audience while raising the standard of local equestrian events and attracting more international riders.

Several of the Kiwi combinations have been across the Tasman for some weeks, making the most of the Australian show circuit and the down-time in New Zealand.
The official tests is at the Australian Showjumping Championships in Werribee from September 19-22.

Below: Young Rider Team Member, Olivia Robertson and Ngahiwi Cisco – Photo courtesy Kampic no reuse permitted


When they last did battle, in New Zealand in 2012, it was a draw, so both teams will be keen to stake a claim on one of the most sought-after trans Tasman trophies. The teams will also compete at the Royal Melbourne Show from September 26-29 in an unofficial test.

Senior team: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ, Ross Smith (Canterbury) Quite Cassini, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Estina, Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) Ombudsman.

Young Rider team: Rebekah van Tiel (Karaka) Adeaze, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon, Olivia Robertson (Queenstown) Ngahiwi Cisco, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespear NZPH.

Chef d’equipe: John Cottle (Auckland).