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Kiwis complete Trans-Tasman treble

The New Zealand team has won the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge at the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne, finishing ahead of the Aussies after three days of competition.

Merran Hain presenting the winning rosette to Emma Gillies as part of the winning team in the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge. Emma is aboard Double J Image, who jointly shared the Matthews Hanoverians best-performed horse award. Image by The Black Balloon.

Equestrian Life

Published 27 Jan 2025

The Kiwis finished the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge in the best way possible at the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne.

Superb efforts from the New Zealand team saw them pick up two bonus points for the two rounds and successfully defend the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge crown. It is the third consecutive win for the Kiwis.

The New Zealanders finished on 17 points, thanks to three wins and two bonus points, with the Australians on nine. The teams were all tied up on the Saturday, forcing a jump-off that was won by the hosts.

While the points seem a little one-sided, both teams rode incredibly well on borrowed horses that were swapped around throughout.

The stand-out for New Zealand was Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch) who had four clear rounds over the three days. On the final day double clears came from Emma Gillies (Oamaru) and Penny Borthwick (Masterton). Tara Gower (Cambridge) and Johanna had one apiece.

New Zealand chef d’equipe Oliver Edgecombe had high praise for all of his charges and he extended a huge thank you to the show organisers and those who had so kindly loaned horses for the biannual contest.

His thoughts were reiterated by Australian chef d’equipe Airlie Robinson.

“We’ve had a ball here,” she said. “We’ve been made to feel so welcome. All of my riders did really well.”

Both are looking forward to the next round which will be held later in the year in Australia. Each felt the value of the teams’ event was huge. “They’re learning to ride as a team, rather than an individual,” said Oliver, “which is great learning for them.”

Airlie said the camaraderie within each team was also valuable. “There’s no doubt there will be lifelong friendships made out of this,” she said.

The Matthews Hanoverians’ prize for the best-performed horse over the three days was shared between Double J Image, owned by Tara Gower, and Central City, owned by Caroline and Diesel Coop.

Merran Hain presenting the winning rosette to Emma Gillies as part of the winning team in the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge. Emma is aboard Double J Image, who jointly shared the Matthews Hanoverians best-performed horse award. Image by The Black Balloon.
Australian rider Tanner Robinson aboard the Coop Family’s Central City, who was joint winner of the Matthews Hanoverians best-performed horse over the three days of the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge. Image by Paul Rickard.

Results

Day one:

1. New Zealand

Emma Gillies/Sentra 8, 8

Penny Borthwick/Double J Image 0, 4

Tara Gower/Central City 4, 0

Johanna Wylaars/Central Zone 0, 0

Total: 8 (best three)

2. Australia

Tanner Robinson/Pedro CSNZ 0, 0

Hannah Doolan/Murphy’s Law 17, 16

Tilly Fair/Centi Jewel 0, 8

Cody Tincknell/BMW Chaccodaizie 8, 0

Total: 16 (best three)

Day two:

1. New Zealand

Penny Borthwick/Centi Jewel 30, 4

Tara Gower/Cascade ECPH 4, 4

Emma Gillies/Pedro CSNZ 0, 8

Johanna Wylaars/BMW Chaccodaizie 4, 0

Total: 16 (best three)

Jump-off: Tara Gower/Cascade ECPH, 0, 37.27 seconds.

2. Australia

Tanner Robinson/Central City 0, 4

Hannah Doolan/Central Zone 4, 8

Tilly Fair/Double J Image 0, 4

Cody Tincknell/Sentra 4, 4

Total: 16 (best three)

Jump-off: Tilly Fair/Double J Image, 4, 32.78 seconds

Day three:

1. New Zealand

Emma Gillies/Double J Image 0, 0

Penny Borthwick/Central City 0, 0

Tara Gower/Sentra 0, 4

Johanna Wylaars/Cascade ECPH 4, 0

Total: 0 (best three)

2. Australia

Tanner Robinson/BMW Chaccodaizie 8, 0

Hannah Doolan/Redcliffs Kachow 27, DNS

Tilly Fair/Pedro CSNZ 4, 4

Cody Tincknell/Central Zone 4, 16

Total: 36 (best three)

Final points:

New Zealand: 17 points

Australia: 9 points

The horse details:

Pedro CSNZ – owned by Catherine Cameron and Tara Gower
Sentra – owned by Sofia Gaddum
Murphy’s Law – owned by Dinah Bowie
Double J Image – owned by Tara Gower
Centi Jewel – owned by Jo-Anne Donald
Central Zone – owned by Oliver Edgecombe
BMW Chaccodaizie – owned by Michelle and Bruce Wakeling
Central City – owned by Caroline and Diesel Coop
Cascade ECPH – owned by the Borthwick Family
Redcliffs Kachow – owned by Geordie Bull

Source: ESNZ press release by Diana Dobson