Ginny Thomasen and Gladstone are lining up for the Kiwis in the Nations Cup event at the Chatsworth International Horse Trials, which get underway this evening. Photo by Libby Law Photography

The Kiwis are heading to the Chatsworth International Horse Trials this weekend where they’re chasing both individual and FEI Eventing Nations Cup honours too.

The team, comprising Jesse Campbell aboard Cooley Lafitte, Muzi Pottinger on Good Timing, Ginny Thomasen (nee Thompson) with Gladstone, and James Avery on Finduss PFB, with go up against teams from six other countries chasing valuable points in the CCIO4*-NC-S, in the only British leg of the FEI series.

Ginny and Gladstone II have been competing internationally since mid 2021 and previously represented New Zealand at Nations Cup. It’s the first time Jesse and Cooley Lafitte have contested Chatsworth but they do have two other Nations Cup starts under their belts. The horse has been competing internationally with Jesse since 2019 and has been carefully brought through the grades.

Muzi is in on her bred to race thoroughbred Good Timing who she brought with her from New Zealand, and James wraps up the team aboard Finduss PFB who is new to his stable, with just one international start to their credit so far.

Also lining up in the CCI4*-S are Ginny with Capitaine De Hus Z, James with MBF Connection and Samantha Lissington with Lord Seekonig, who is new to her string. The 4* class at Chatsworth is a big one and includes the likes of newly crowned Badminton queen Ros Canter alongside plenty of talent, so it will be a fiercely competitive run.

Chatsworth has had plenty of rain, forcing them to abandon all their novice sections, but with an improved forecast on the horizon fingers are crossed things will dry out before the event gets underway.

Dressage runs over Friday and Saturday, with the Ian Stark (GBR) designed cross country and the Christopher Barnard  (USA) showjumping on Sunday. In all, 14 nations are represented at this very popular event with organisers expecting more than 700 horses on site for the weekend.

Kiwi Andrew Bennie is president of the ground jury for both the CCI4*-S and CCIO4*-NC-S.

WHAT: Chatsworth International Horse Trials
WHERE: Bakewell, Derbyshire, UK
WHEN: May 12-14, 2023
MORE INFO: Facebook Chatsworth International Horse Trials
WEB: http://www.chatsworth.org/horse-trials

START LISTS AND RESULTS: https://www.eventingscores.co.uk/uploads/events/1800/results_1800_46421.html

The horse details;
Capitaine De Hus Z – owned by David and Karie Thomson and Ginny Thomasen
Gladstone II – owned by Elaine Butterworth, Anthony Quirk and Ginny Thomasen
Good Timing – owned by The Volunteer Syndicate
Cooley Lafitte – owned by Jay Jaffar
MBF Connection – owned by Hazel Liversey
Finduss PFB – owned by Parkfield Breeding and Samantha Birch
Lord Seekonig – owned by Sharon Honiss, Annabelle and Robin Greville Williams, and Samantha and Brayden Lissington

Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photo: Libby Law ESNZ