Talent and Support to the Fore in New Eventing Squads

ESNZ high performance eventing manager Graeme Thom is buoyed to see new combinations stepping up into the new 2020 squads.

“Our most recent squad lists seem stark with the absences of (Sir) Mark (Todd) and Blyth (Tait) but it is very encouraging to have a number of new names and faces meeting the standards of our top groups,” he said.

The High Performance Squad comprises three riders with seven horses between them in Clarke Johnstone aboard Balmoral Sensation, Jonelle Price with both Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo, and world No.2 Tim Price with Ascona M, Bango, Ringwood Sky Boy and Xavier Faer.

“It is equally comforting that they will dipping into a pool with many seasoned and well accomplished veterans to provide invaluable guidance,” says Graeme. “In such an important year, and soon a start to another exciting quadrennial, this group of talented athletes and horses is testimony to a strong program across both hemispheres.”

He felt it was also telling of the quality of those behind the riders. “It is recognition of the invaluable support that our committed and generous horse owners provide. We must also thank High Performance Sport New Zealand for their ongoing investment in our team and its culture.”

There have been six additions to the High Performance Futures Squad with Tim aboard Wesko and Falco, Jonelle and Grovine de Reve, Clarke and Aces High, Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ, James Avery aboard One of a Kind and New Zealand-based Monica Oakley with Acrobat. The new combinations join Amanda Pottinger on Just Kidding, Caroline Powell and On the Brash, Dan Jocelyn aboard Blackthorne Cruise, Jesse Campbell on Cleveland, and Madison Crowe with Waitangi Pinterest.

Three new combinations have been added to the High Performance Potential Squad in Donna Edwards-Smith, Diane Gilder and Bruce Haskell, who join Bundy Philpott, Emily Cammock, Ginny Thompson, Joe Myer, Matthew Grayling, Nick Brooks and Renee Faulkner.

THE SQUADS

High Performance Squad

High Performance Futures Squad

High Performance Potential Squad

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison