The fast-approaching Tokyo Olympic Games have been front of mind for eventing selectors as they scrutinized New Zealand’s top-performing combinations to decide the 2019 ESNZ Eventing High Performance Squads.
Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) and Balmoral Sensation remain the only New Zealand based combination on the High Performance Squad where they sit alongside Sir Mark Todd with NZB Campino, Leonidas II, Kiltubrid Rhapsody and McClaren. Tim and Jonelle Price have two horses each on the squad in Ringwood Sky Boy and Bango for Tim and Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo for Jonelle.
The High Performance Squad comprises horse and rider combinations committed to and capable of contributing to a podium team placing at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Tim also has horses Xavier Faer and Ascona M on the High Performance Futures squad. Hawke’s Bay-based Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding have made the step up to the squad along with Dan Jocelyn on Grovine de Reve, Caroline Powell with On the Brash, Jesse Campbell on Amsterdam 21 and Blyth Tait aboard Havanna. The High Performance Futures Squad consists of those combinations that are knocking on the door to high performance.
The High Performance Potential Squad (previously known as the Future Potential Recognition squad) is aimed as recognising talented eventing riders that are capable of and committed to producing high performance horses for future Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games.
The squad features a few changes including new members Hayley Frielick (Australia), Monica Oakley and Abby Lawrence, who join James Avery, Samantha Lissington (nee Felton), Ginny Thompson, Joe Meyer, Nick Brooks, Donna Edwards-Smith and Bundy Philpott.
The Performance Squads – the Talent Development and Talent Identification squads – were announced earlier in the year.Selectors examine the high performance squads every six months.
THE SQUADS
High Performance Squad
|
Rider |
Horse |
Owners |
|
Clarke Johnstone |
Balmoral Sensation |
Johnstone Family |
|
Jonelle Price |
Classic Moet |
Trisha Rickards and Jonelle Price |
|
Jonelle Price |
Faerie Dianimo |
Trisha Rickards, Jacky Green and Jonelle Price |
|
Sir Mark Todd |
NZB Campino |
New Zealand Bloodstock and Sir Mark Todd |
|
Sir Mark Todd |
Leonidas II |
Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Sir Mark Todd |
|
Sir Mark Todd |
Kiltubrid Rhapsody |
Dr Elizabeth Donald & Niki Ryan |
|
Sir Mark Todd |
McClaren |
David and Katherine Thomson |
|
Tim Price |
Ringwood Sky Boy |
Robert Taylor, Varenna Allen, Tim Price and selwood.com |
|
Tim Price |
Bango |
Numero Uno Syndicate |
High Performance Futures Squad
|
Rider |
Horse |
Owners |
|
Amanda Pottinger |
Just Kidding |
The Pottinger Family |
|
Blyth Tait |
Havanna |
Katherine Corich, Jane Lovell-Smith, John Ormiston |
|
Dan Jocelyn |
Grovine de Reve |
Therese Miller, Jo Preston-Hunt, Philip Hunt and Dan Jocelyn |
|
Caroline Powell |
On The Brash |
Sarah Tobey and Sue Smiley |
|
Jesse Campbell |
Amsterdam 21 |
Dr Craig Campbell |
|
Tim Price |
Xavier Faer |
Trisha Rickards, Nigella Hall and Tim Price |
|
Tim Price |
Ascona M |
Suzanne Houchin, Lucy and Ben Sangster and Sir Peter Vela |
High Performance Potential Squad
Abby Lawrence (Te Puke)
Buddy Philpott (Cambridge)
Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata)
Ginny Thompson (Kaukapakapa)
Hayley Frielick (Australia)
James Avery (UK)
Joe Meyer (USA)
Monica Oakley (Pukekohe)
Nick Brooks (Cambridge)
Samantha Lissington (nee Felton) (Hamilton)
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison