Georgia Bouzaid preparing for the tough competition ahead in the Trans-Tasman Young Rider Test in Gisborne – Photo by Kaye Williams
Australia have drawn first blood on the opening day of the Trans-Tasman Young Rider test at the Larsen Sawmilling 32nd Equestrian Championships in Gisborne.
The four riders from both teams all had faults aboard their borrowed horses in the first round but clears came in the second as they came to grips with their horses. Riders only meet their mounts 20 minutes before the class and are allowed just six jumps in the warm-up.
Three clears in the second round from Australian riders Hayden Parker on Aorangi Legato, Charlie Richardson aboard Cheval du Fond, and Anneliese Wansey with Pilot, gave the team a bonus point as well as the win, for a final tally of six. For the Kiwis, clears came from Tyla Hackett (Cambridge) aboard Dynavyte Cancion HSH and Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) on Arlo, to finish the day on three.
Australian chef d’equipe and trainer, Todd Hinde was very pleased with the efforts of his young charges. “That first round is always hard for everyone,” said Todd, who extended a big thank you to the horses’ owners who had so kindly made their equines available.
“It is important for our young riders to experience a team event so when they reach the senior ranks, the team environment is the norm,” he says. “Riding borrowed horses brings another level to it, so there is plenty of pressure for the riders.”
The team had enjoyed a fun day before the show started, making the most of the very popular Rere Rock Slide. “The kids are having a great time,” he says. Both teams attended a team dinner along with owners and other officials. Australia had 62 applicants for the team, making it very challenging for the selectors. “The standard and quality was extremely high.”
New Zealand chef and trainer John Cottle said his riders had done well today, and certainly faced any challenges head on. “Everyone went better in the second, which is a good sign. They just get a better feel for it. We will be chasing hard tomorrow and are certainly still in the hunt!”
The teams will swap horses for tomorrow’s competition, which continues over the weekend with two rounds a day, and if scores are tied at the end, a jump-off.
Results –
Australia – Anneliese Wansey with Pilot (owned by Monica Spencer), Charlie Richardson with Chevel du Fond (owned by Belinda Buchanan), Hayden Parker with Aorangi Legato (owned by the Ahlborn family), and Clemency Hughes with Double Shot (owned by Izzy Saxton) 6 points 1; New Zealand – Tyla Hackett (Cambridge) Dynavyte Cancion HSH (owned by Jeremy Clarke), Sam Carrington (Takapau) Castako Xtreme (owned by Rylee Sheehan), Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Arlo (owned by Fraser Tombleson), and Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge) Chelsea CSNZ (owned by the Borthwick family) 3 points 2.
The Jumping Team – 27 January 2023