NZ EQUESTRIAN News


Australia names Jumping teams for Oceania Championships
Monday, 16 September 2013


Jumping prodigy Tom McDermott is set to strike twice at the Oceania Championships* (formerly known as the Trans-Tasman) happening at this weekend’s Australian Show Jumping Championships with the 20 year old today named a member of Australia’s senior and young rider teams.

McDermott will be flanked by in form riders Jamie Kermond and Sharon Slater as well as Shane Davidson who has previously represented Australia as an individual at the World Young Horse Championships but never in a team’s event.
Davidson says he’s excited for the chance to represent his country.

“I’m very honoured to have this opportunity. It’s been a goal of mine for a long time to make an Australian team and I’m very excited to have this opportunity.

“I’m also really excited to be competing on a horse which I’ve bred and trained.
‘I’m really looking forward to competing in a team’s event for the first time. You’ve got to try that little bit harder because you’re competing with others and they’re relying on you to do well. It’s a big responsibility but a great honour,” Davidson said.

New South Wales rider Sharon Slater will also have a close eye on the Young Rider competition after daughter Kelly was named in the Australian team. She joins McDermott in the four member outfit as well as Sarah Beale and Nicole Bruggermann who were part of an Australian Young Rider team which toured New Zealand earlier in the year.

The senior team will be supported by Olympian Vicki Roycroft in the role of Chef d’Equipe with Jessica Barton taking on this role for the Young Rider team.

The Oceania Challenge headlines a full four days of jumping action at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre. Not since 2005 has Australia had the home ground advantage when taking on New Zealand in a jumping test and both nations will be looking to take an early lead in the two round series which will continue at the Royal Melbourne Show from 26-29 September.

Action at the Australian Show Jumping Championships gets underway on Thursday. For further information on the event please visit http://www.asjc.equestrian.org.au

The Australian teams are as follows:
Senior Team

Shane Davidson riding Fairbanks Lulu. Owner Shane Davidson
Jamie Kermond riding Colthaga. Owner Jacqueline Cox
Tom McDermott riding CP Romantic Dream. Owners: Van Zyl Tripp Pty Ltd
Sharon Slater riding Ulixes. Owner Sharon Slater

Reserves:
1st reserve: Robert Moffatt riding Viduka. Owner Robert Moffatt
2nd reserve: Clem Smith riding Guru. Owners:Clem Smith & Leanne Bruggermann

Young Rider Team
Sarah Beale riding Alpha Centauri. Owner: Sarah Beale
Nicole Bruggermann riding Marine. Owner Nicole Bruggermann
Tom McDermott riding Rolex. Owner: Emily Blinkworth
Kelly Slater riding Silverton. Owner: Ally Lamb

Reserves:
1st reserve: Clint Beresford riding Emmaville Jitterbug. Owner: Clint Beresford
2nd reserve: Jack Maunder riding Cyra. Owner: John Maunder

Support Staff:
Vicki Roycroft – Senior Team Chef d'Equipe
Jessica Barton – Young Rider Chef d’Equipe

*Australia and New Zealand have joined together to form the Oceania League in a bid to boost the lobbying opportunities of both nations at FEI level. As part of this move, equestrian test events between Australia and New Zealand will now be referred to as Oceania Championships.