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Trans-Tasman Thriller

After the sad postponement of the Gisborne Show, the fate of the Trans-Tasman test was up in the air, but thanks to a small group of people, the event was relocated to the New Zealand National Championships in Christchurch. Jaime Campbell-Ward worked wonders to source the horses from some very kind owners, and the Nationals Committee were incredibly accommodating in making room in their jam packed schedule for this prestigious event to take place.

Cody Ticknell (AUS) and MF Lexicon. Michelle Clarke Photography

The Trans-Tasman test, kindly sponsored by East’s Outdoor and Leisure Gisborne, took place over three days, and it did not disappoint. The Aussies took the win on the first day completing the two rounds with a total of 12 faults opposed to the Kiwi’s 20, with the standout being Cody Ticknell and MF Lexicon who jumped the only double clear. On day two, the teams swapped horses and the Kiwi’s finished on top, accumulating just the four faults over the two rounds, with Australia finishing on total of eight. All combinations jumped great rounds, with double clears coming from Sofia Williams on MF Lexicon, Samantha-Lee Wakeling on For Harmony HSH and Tanner Robinson on Ngahiwi Roulette.

Molly Mooney (AUS) & For Harmony HSH. Michelle Clarke Photography

Chloe Armstrong (NZ) & Ngahiwi Roulette. Michelle Clarke Photography

Day three brought the competition to a thrilling conclusion with both teams finishing their two rounds on eight faults to force a jump off. After jumping the only double clear of the class on For Harmony HSH, Australia’s Cody Ticknell was put forward to jump off for his country and put in a super performance to jump a clear round in a smart time of 34.66. The New Zealand nomination of Samantha-Lee Wakeling had ice in her veins as she rode Krystal Clear I to victory, completing the course in 33.93 to just edge out the Aussies and give the Kiwi’s a fantastic win.

Samantha-Lee Wakeling (NZ) & Krystal Clear I. Michelle Clarke Photography

Molly Mooney (AUS) & SLE Limoncello. Michelle Clarke Photography

Needless to say, the New Zealand Chef D’Equipe, Jaime Campbell-Ward was thrilled with the outcome:

“Thanks to Oliver Edgecombe for the original idea to move the Trans-Tasman teams’ event to Nationals, and to Nationals for being so accommodating in making it happen. It proved to be a fantastic competition and an excellent opportunity to prepare our riders for team competition under pressure. The horses were outstanding, and we are extremely grateful to all the owners. Organising horses at a show of this scale within 24 hours was no small task. Australia rode superbly well, and I was proud of the sportsmanship shown by all riders. We also received wonderful hospitability from the South Islanders, and a big thank you to Kaye Williams for coming down to run the event. It was a great win for New Zealand, and I’m very proud of the maturity the team showed, and how they delivered when it mattered”.

The winning Kiwi Team with Chef d’Equipe Jaime Campbell-Ward. Michelle Clarke Photography.

The Australian Chef, Oliver Edgecombe was equally as proud of his team:

“It was very good that the Nationals Committee put the event on, the committee did a great job of accommodating the event at short notice. It’s a great stepping stone for the Young Riders to prepare them for senior teams. It was a very close competition and the Aussie’s enjoyed it. We had quality horses supplied, so a big thanks to the owners. Next time hopefully we will have more luck!”

Cody Ticknell (AUS) & Arctic Star. Michelle Clarke Photography

Matthews Hanoverians kindly sponsored the best performed horse over the three days of jumping, and on this occasion, this title was jointly awarded to For Harmony HSH and MF Lexicon with both picking up just four faults over the six rounds.