Johanna Wylaars (NZ) rides Central Zone, Larsen Sawmilling Gisborne Jumping Show, A&P Showgrounds, Gisborne, Saturday, January 27, 2024, Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
The Young Rider Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge is stacking up to be another close match at the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne this week.
The Kiwis have reigned supreme in the last two meetings of the hotly contested biannual battle but with both countries naming strong teams it will be anyone’s to win.
Adding to the challenge is that the 1.2m competition, run over three days with two rounds a day, sees riders swapping between two pools of borrowed mounts.
The New Zealand team comprises returning riders Emma Gillies (Oamaru) and Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch), along with debutants Penny Borthwick (Wairarapa) and Tara Gower (Waikato), with Samantha-Lee Wakeling (Waitemata) the reserve.
Chef d’equipe Oliver Edgecombe is backing his team. “I think we have a really good team,” he says. “They are all proven riders. It’s a great opportunity for Penny and Tara to have a go in a teams’ environment alongside two reasonably experienced riders for this type of event.”
Team riding puts riders under a different type of pressure with different expectations. “The Aussies are always hugely competitive so we’re expecting a good competition.”
That’s reiterated by Equestrian Australia high performance jumping manager Coco Miles.
“The experience these young riders receive as a result of this opportunity is immeasurable,” said Coco. “They’re not only representing their country and learning about being on a team, they’re also making new friends across the Tasman and experiencing how the sport is run internationally. They’re all very excited to once again be travelling to Gisborne for the event.”
Riding for Australia are current Australian junior champion Hannah Doolan (New South Wales), Tilley Fair (Victoria), debutant Tanner Robinson (Victoria) and Cody Tincknell (Queensland), who competed in Gisborne for the team last year, with Olivia Price and Sienna Holdsworth-Rose reserves. Chef d’equipe is Airlie Robinson.
Designing the courses at the three-day show is top international FEI level 3 Canadian Peter Holmes, who just last weekend delighted riders and spectators alike at the Archibald & Shorter North Shore FEI World Cup Festival at Woodhill Sands.
“It is so good to have Peter designing the courses at Gisborne,” says Oliver. “He is a very experienced international which is great for us all. Great courses produce great jumping.”
It’s Peter’s first visit to Gisborne and he is looking forward to it, bringing his wife Danielle and children Brooklyn and Nick. They are regular visitors to New Zealand and say they have fallen in love with the country.
Peter designs courses at some of the biggest shows in North America, Europe and Australia.
Caroline Coop, chair of Gisborne Area ESNZ who are organising the champs, says it will be a real treat to have him at the event. “We’re looking forward to an excellent show. We love hosting the Trans-Tasman and are very proud that it continues to return to Gisborne,” said Caroline.
Entries for the show are looking good, and organisers have introduced a new accumulator class on Saturday at 5pm, with $1000 up for the winner. “This is open to a wide range of riders, so we are expecting it to be very popular.”
WHAT: Young Rider Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge
WHERE: Larsen Sawmilling 34th Equestrian Championships, Showgrounds Park, Gisborne
WHEN: January 24-26, 2025
START LISTS AND RESULTS: www.evoevents.co.nz
Diana Dobson
22 January 2025