Sophia Hill and Humble Glory will join the Senior Team. Image: Michelle Terlato

Changes to Senior Australian Eventing Team ahead of Oceania Championships

In an announcement released by Equestrian Australia today, it has been advised that ‘Henrik APH’, ridden by Olivia Barton, has sustained a minor injury and will not be competing in the Australian Senior Team at the upcoming Oceania Eventing Challenge at the Horse Of The Year Show.

Equestrian Australia shared:

“Equestrian Australia (EA) wishes to advise members that ‘Henrik APH’ owned by Carlene Barton and ridden by Olivia Barton selected as a member of the Oceania24 Senior Team, has sustained a minor injury which will require a small period of rest and recovery. As at all times the welfare of the Horse is paramount, the decision in consultation with the rider and owner and Team Vet Nathan Anthony to withdraw ‘Henrik APH’ from the competition has been made.

Due to this decision, Sophia Hill and her own horse, ‘Humble Glory’, who were selected as travelling reserves, will now compete as a member of the Senior Team. We congratulate Sophia on her inclusion to the team and wish her the best for the competition ahead.”

Sophia Hill

The Oceania Championships will mark the first major event back for Sophia Hill and Humble Glory, after the combination had a break from competition whilst Sophia was on maternity leave. According to our Paris Leaderboard (Link here), the combination are currently trending in 6th place for qualification, with a 33.5 penalties from Werribee CCI4*S on 2 February 2023. The last start for Sophia and Humble Glory was the Adelaide CCI5*L where they were third.

Australian Senior Team

The Australian team will now consist of Andrew Barnett & Go Tosca (Groom Kaitlyn Furner), joining Oliver Barrett & Sandhills Special (Groom Prue Barrett), Sophia Hill and her own horse, ‘Humble Glory’ (Groom Roslyn Burn), and Kenya Wilson & Sandros Salute MW (Groom Zoe Hutchinson).

Individual Riders

Equestrian Australia advised today that Olivia Barton will still compete at the event as an individual rider representing Australia on her second horse ‘Hollyander HG’, owned by Robert Weight, alongside Shane Rose riding ‘Virgi’l owned by Shane and wife Niki and Michelle Hasibar, and Andrew Cooper riding ‘Sharvalley Thunder’ owned by Andrew, Gary, Kerrie and Madeleine Cooper.

Schedule

The competition starts on Friday with the dressage, with Saturday’s cross country bringing the rest of the showgrounds to a halt for everyone to enjoy, and culminating with the showjumping on Sunday.

Australia will be keen to hold on to the title they won at the Melbourne International Three Day Event in 2022 – the last time the challenge was held – and will surely look to reclaim the young rider crown that went the way of the Kiwis.

The trans-Tasman dates back to 1985 when the first one was held in Gawler. The New Zealand senior team – comprising Tinks Pottinger on Volunteer, Trudy Boyce with Mossman, Karen Tweedie aboard Sandalwood, and Judith Charleston on High Rate – came home with the title in their hot little hands.

Over the years, New Zealand has won the senior crown 11 times, with Australia the victors seven times. The young rider clash has not been held as often, but the tally is tied up five apiece.