When Brea Walker was grooming for Sir Mark Todd, she watched from the sideline at the Nations Cup 4* in Ireland as something unpredictable happened that was to shape her as an Eventer.

“He did his final halt and salute and Leo the horse shook his bridle off in the middle of the dressage arena! Mark cracked up laughing and there is a hilarious photo of him making light of the situation! Taught me you either laugh or you cry so you may as well laugh – it happens to the best of us! Thankfully I didn’t put that horses bridle on! Phew!”

This is just one of the insights by the Ambassadors taking part in this year’s Secondary Schools Equestrian Championships from 24-28/9 August. There will be seventeen ambassadors in all, with eight in the North Island and nine in the South Island.  They are from all disciplines – and for the first time – include Mounted Games.

The concept of inviting ambassadors to support our grassroots riders was introduced during Demo & Dabble, ESNZ’s first multidiscipline non-competition event held at the Waikato Equestrian Centre last year. 

ESNZ National Manager, Strengthen and Adapt Ashra McAvinue says the formula was well received and it was a “no brainer” to bring ambassadors into Interschools.

“Our aim is for the ambassadors to ‘mentor’ newcomers to the sport.

“At Interschools, there will be 750 students competing across the two events in Taupō and Christchurch, some who have never been to a competition before.   They will be out of their comfort zones and trying something new in front of their peers.  So, the ambassadors will be there to make sure they come away with smiles on their faces,” says Ashra.

The calibre of ambassadors is high, and includes a number who have competed at high performance level, won national and international awards, and competed at Olympic level.

In the North Island, Dressage – Katie Payne, Christine Weal, Samantha Belsham; Jumping & Show Hunter – Stephie Smith & Kirsten Hence; Eventing – Brea Walker; CTR – Juanita Duncan; Mounted Games – Sophie Daly; and in the South Island:  Dressage – Louise Duncan, Anthea Dixon & Seija Parkali-Glew; Jumping & Show Hunter – Katie Gerrets & Robyn Woods;  Eventing – Cam Robertson;  CTR – Marga Marshall; Mounted Games – Gemma Lewis & Courtney Ashton.

The Secondary Schools Equestrian Championships will be held from 24 August, with classes running across most of next week at the Fiber Fresh NEC, Taupō and the Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC, Christchurch.    The Interschools are hosted by ESNZ, NZ Pony Clubs, Mounted Games NZ, and School Sports NZ.

For the ambassadors insights see their bios on: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/youth-programmes/