2022 Senior Team Oceania Winners Shane Rose, Jessica Rae, Lauren Browne and Sam Jeffree. Image: Click Capture

Oceania Teams Ready for Battle

ESNZ and the Australian Equestrian Team have announced the Senior and Young Rider eventing teams to contest the Oceania Eventing Challenge at this week’s Land Rover Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

For NZ, Olympic hopeful Maddy Seivwright and Waitangi Pinterest spearhead the CCI4*-S senior team, joining Charlotte Penny aboard Festival, Christen Lane on Bellhaven Cumbria and Donna Edwards-Smith with DSE Henton for Glory.

For Australia, Andrew Barnett & Go Tosca (Groom Kaitlyn Furner) head up the 4*-S senior team, joining Oliver Barrett & Sandhills Special (Groom Prue Barrett), Olivia Barton & Henrik APH (Groom Carlene Barton) and Kenya Wilson & Sandros Salute MW (Groom Zoe Hutchinson).

Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca were a new addition to Heath's Paris Eventing Leaderboard last month. Image by Elegant Exposures (Aidan Jaros Grilli).

Andrew barnett and Go Tosca have been named on the Australian Senior Team. Image by Elegant Exposures

The CCI3*-S Young Rider Team for NZ comprises of Bridie Quigley on Oranna Grayson, Mackenzie Marlo aboard CHS Diplomat, Mia Gilbert on Schnapps MH and Scout Lodder with Overnight Success.

For Australia, the Young Rider team comprises of Bethany Hirst & Sandhills Bliss (Groom Allanah Fernance), Molly Lines & Tadpole (Groom Lauren Lines), Olivia Shore & Dreamcatcher (Groom Eve Jarvis) and Mackenzie Walch & Eliva Corduroy (Groom Bek Hackett).

ESNZ general manager high performance Jock Paget is confident the “two good teams” will produce some exciting competition.

“We are expecting the Chris Ross tracks to be a real test at both levels,” said Jock.

“The opportunity to compete for New Zealand in this championship is a real privilege for our Southern Hemisphere combinations and a great way to condition themselves for future championship representation. We have a great support team for these riders with a lot of international experience. We are all looking forward to getting back to the atmosphere at LRHOY and experiencing this competition after such a long wait.”

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.