Emma Gillies (NZ) on Double J Image joint winner of Matthews Hanoverians Best Performed Horse, presented by Merran Hain, Photo Credit: Diana Dobson

Tanner Robinson (Aus) on Central City, joint winner of Matthews Hanoverians Best Performed Horse, Photo Credit: Paul Rickard

The Kiwis finished the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge in the best way possible at the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne.

Superb efforts from the team saw them pick up two bonus points for the two rounds and successfully defend the crown. It is the third consecutive win for the Kiwis.

The New Zealanders finished on 17 points, thanks to three wins and two bonus points, with the Australians on nine. The teams were all tied up on the Saturday, forcing a jump-off which was won by the hosts.

While the points seem a little one-sided, both teams rode incredibly well on borrowed horses that were swapped around throughout.

The stand-out for New Zealand was Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch) who had four clear rounds over the three days. On the final day double clears came from Emma Gillies (Oamaru) and Penny Borthwick (Masterton). Tara Gower (Cambridge) and Johanna had one apiece.

New Zealand chef d’equipe Oliver Edgecombe had high praise for all of his charges and he extended a huge thank you to the show organisers and those who had so kindly leant horses for the biannual contest.

His thoughts were reiterated by Australian chef d’equipe Airlie Robinson.

“We’ve had a ball here,” she said. “We’ve been made to feel so welcome. All of my riders did really well.”

Both are looking forward to the next round which will be held later in the year in Australia. Each felt the value of the teams’ event was huge. “They’re learning to ride as a team, rather than an individual,” said Oliver, “which is great learning for them.”

Airlie said the camaraderie within each team was also valuable. “There’s no doubt there will be lifelong friendships made out of this,” she said.

The Matthews Hanoverians’ prize for the best performed horse over the three days was shared between Double J Image, owned by Tara Gower, and Central City, owned by Caroline and Diesel Coop.

 

Results –

Day one: New Zealand (Emma Gillies/Sentra 8f, 8f; Penny Borthwick/Double J Image 0, 4f; Tara Gower/Central City 4f, 0; Johanna Wylaars/Central Zone 0, 0); total 8f (best three) 1. Australia (Tanner Robinson/Pedro CSNZ 0, 0; Hannah Doolan/Murphy’s Law 17f, 16; Tilly Fair/Centi Jewel 0, 8f; Cody Tincknell/BMW Chaccodaizie 8f, 0); two round total 16f (best three) 2.

Day two: New Zealand (Penny Borthwick/Centi Jewel 30f, 4f; Tara Gower/Cascade ECPH 4f, 4f; Emma Gillies/Pedro CSNZ 0, 8f; Johanna Wylaars/BMW Chaccodaizie 4f, 0) two round total 16f (best three). J/o Tara 0 37.27 seconds 1.

Australia (Tanner Robinson/Central City 0, 4f; Hannah Doolan/Central Zone 4f, 8f; Tilly Fair/Double J Image 0, 4f; Cody Tincknell/Sentra 4f, 4f) total 16 (best three). J/o Tilly 4f 32.78 seconds 2.

Day three: New Zealand (Emma Gillies/Double J Image 0, 0; Penny Borthwick/Central City 0, 0; Tara Gower/Sentra 0, 4f; Johanna Wylaars/Cascade ECPH 4f, 0); two round total 0 (best three) 1.

Australia (Tanner Robinson/BMW Chaccodaizie 8f, 0; Hannah Doolan/Redcliffs Kachow 27f, DNS; Tilly Fair/Pedro CSNZ 4f, 4f; Cody Tincknell/Central Zone 4f, 16f); two round total 36f (best three 2.

Final points – NZ 17 points 1, AUS 9 2.

 

The horse details –

Pedro CSNZ – owned by Catherine Cameron and Tara Gower

Sentra – owned by Sofia Gaddum

Murphy’s Law – owned by Dinah Bowie

Double J Image – owned by Tara Gower

Centi Jewel – owned by Jo-Anne Donald

Central Zone – owned by Oliver Edgecombe

BMW Chaccodaizie – owned by Michelle and Bruce Wakeling

Central City – owned by Caroline and Diesel Coop

Cascade ECPH – owned by the Borthwick Family

Redcliffs Kachow – owned by Geordie Bull

 

Diana Dobson

26 January 2025