Kiwi Team of Sam Carrington, Georgia Bouzaid, Rylee Sheehan and Tyla Hackett win day two with Chef d’Equipe John Cottle

 

New Zealand have clawed their way back into contention on the second day of the Trans-Tasman Young Rider test at the Larsen Sawmilling 32nd Equestrian Championships in Gisborne.

The Kiwis took the win today, and now sit just a single point behind the Aussie visitors who lead 9-8.

Riders traded horses, with Tyla Hackett (Cambridge) and Monica Spencer’s Pilot bagging the only double clear of the day. Clear rounds also came from Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge) on Izzy Saxton’s Double Shot, as well as Australians Anneliese Wansey aboard Jeremy Clarke’s Dynavyte Cancion HSH and Charlie Richardson riding Rylee Sheehan’s Castako Xtreme.

New Zealand trainer and chef d’equipe John Cottle praised the resilience of his crew, saying they had bounced back well from yesterday’s loss. “These are a good bunch of riders on both sides,” he said, “but it’s not over until it is over!”

His Australian counterpart Todd Hinde says he’s sure his young riders will come out fighting tomorrow for the final day of competition. “I am very pleased with all eight riders – they have all done so well,” he said. “They have all faced head-on the challenge of being on strange horses. I think our group today were a bit tricky but there is only one point separating the teams . . . it’s just how it should be heading into a final.”

 

Jumping Team

28 January 2023