NZL-Blyth Tait rides Havanna van’t Castaneahof during the Cross Country. 2017 NED-Military Boekelo CCIO3* FEI Nation Cup Eventing. Saturday 7 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Blyth Tait and Havanna have been added to the ESNZ High Performance Futures Squad.
The Belgium-bred chestnut mare was in the hands of Lizzie Green until she had Tait ride for her while spending time in New Zealand. The horse, which used to be known as Havanna van’t Castaneahof, has now been bought by Jane Lovell-Smith, Katherine Corich and John Ormiston for Tait.
“I am thrilled to secure Havanna for this year,” says Tait who has won gold medals at both Olympic and World Equestrian Games. “This wasn’t part of Lizzie’s plan but I am grateful for the opportunity. Havanna and I struck an immediate partnership last year with some good results.”
Their best outing was a third in the CCI3* at Millstreet in Ireland, and being on New Zealand’s winning team at the Boekelo Nations Cup. Now Tait has his sights set on Luhmuhlen CCI4* in June where he hopes he will impress selectors enough to make the World Equestrian Games team.
Tait is already on the High Performance Squad with Bear Necessity V.
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photo by Libby Law/ESNZ