Tosca Bell & Arahi Penny
Endurance star Tosca Bell approaches her sport as she does life . . . with momentum, ambition and an unrelenting drive to see how far she can go. The 39-year-old is bubbling with excitement. She and Arahi Penny are one of 10 combinations on the long list for New Zealand for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championships.
It is something she has been planning for and dreaming about for years, and to be oh-so-close makes her like a kid at Christmas. Tosca’s love of horses started early and her passion and enthusiasm quickly gathered up her mum Judy and brother Ty Warren – both of whom are still competing, along with Ty’s wife O’Shean. “Mum is still a young gun at 65 who just recently did a 120km competition – she’s impressive,” says Tosca.
Tosca and her brother Ty Warren
“Like most mums, in the early days, mine spent far more time acting as our logistics manager than actually riding herself. When we were introduced to endurance riding, we knew instantly we had found our sport as we could all participate. Endurance is one horse, one rider, competing over distances of up to 160kms across challenging and varied terrain . . . it was perfect for our family.”
A successful completion relies on preparation, strategy and a strong mind, coupled with hours in the saddle, often in the peak of summer. “It’s not for the faint-hearted, riding off into the night with only a headlamp to light your way can be intimidating, especially when you add to that a field of fresh horses. You really do have to have your wits about you.”
She did her first race when she was 11 years old but it wasn’t until 2022 that she tackled her first 160km. “I was almost six months pregnant with Harper but kept that a secret until prizegiving – only my team knew! Lucky I carried small.”
A Young Tosca Bell starting out
Before having children, Tosca spent every spare moment in the saddle. “In 2019 while expecting our first baby, everything changed. Time became precious, sleep was optional and riding had to look very different.” That was when she reached out to fellow top rider, Ashley Cole. “She has been a pivotal figure in my success. Together we redesigned my training approach, set realistic goals and built a plan that allowed progress alongside work, family and the general unpredictability of life.” Fittingly, both women are on the New Zealand long list for worlds.
Tosca and husband Tim are parents to six-year-old Chloe and three-year-old Harper. As well as juggling family and horses, Tosca is also the retail technical partner for 24 Fonterra Farm Source stores, a job that says has helped her in her sport. Her endurance journey reflects the same values she lives every day at Fonterra – showing up, pushing for better and resilience.
“During my time at Fonterra I have learned the value of clear goalsetting, regularly stopping to check progress, analysing performance data, adjusting plans where needed and staying resilient when things don’t quite go to plan.”
She admits there have been plenty of moments when quitting would have been an easier option. “None of this journey has been done alone. Endurance might look like an individual sport but in reality it is very much a team effort. I liken endurance to the Formula 1 of equestrian sports and your pit crew can make or break you,” says Tosca. “Mine have been incredible, with Tim my steady constant, politely adhering to my many needs and chaotic schedule.”
Their family has grown up alongside it all, cheering from the sidelines, road-tripping to events and helping Tosca through the tough days when self-doubt is loud. “Every milestone is a shared one and I wouldn’t be standing here without my team.” The family live on an eight-acre lifestyle block in Whatawhata, near Hamilton. Tim runs his electrical business – Powerhouse Solutions – but any ‘spare’ minute is spent tinkering on one of his classic cars. He’s currently got a 1961 Cadillac Deville and 1966 Chevvy truck in the garage.
“As a family we are built around adventure,” says Tosca. “There are very few weekends spent at home as we are usually off exploring or chasing the next experience. We live out of suitcases more than our own drawers but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Warren family making it a family affair
So far, Tosca’s mission to make the New Zealand team for the 2026 World Championships has been equal parts exciting and exhausting. The past five years have been – by her own admission – a whirlwind. “Arahi Penny and I have worked steadily towards FEI World Champs qualification.” They achieved that at the 2025 Nationals in a ride that remains one of her most memorable.
“After 160kms, Penny still felt strong and eager, and quite literally knocking on the door for a gallop at the finish,” said Tosca. “Knowing your horse still has energy left at that point is special but what mattered most came the next day when I presented her to the veterinary panel in near perfect condition – happy, sound and metabolically spot on. It confirmed that we had prepared and competed the right way.”
To top it all off, they were awarded the best conditioned in the 160km national championship. “That recognition means everything. It really showed the progress I’ve made by owning and learning from past mistakes. Excuses were replaced with questions and with the right team around me, we addressed the problems.”
In recent seasons Tosca has taken every opportunity to learn and compete internationally, crossing the Tasman and also heading to Dubai to better prepare for racing on sand tracks which is what they will all face at the World Champs in Saudi in November. Representing New Zealand at the Al Fursan Endurance Cup, the richest endurance race in the world, stands as the defining moment of Tosca’s riding career. “I was the first Australasian rider to complete the event, finishing among just 88 riders from the 200 starters.
“Returning a sound, energetic horse to her owners under the watchful eye of one of the world’s toughest veterinary teams remains a moment I will never forget – even with the language barriers, the smiles said everything.”
While Tosca has given Penny a quieter season, her own has been anything but as she competes for other owners. Shortly she and Penny head to Australia for targeted training with key events scheduled through May and July, including the iconic Tom Quilty Cup. Although the Endurance World Championships remain a fully self funded pursuit for horses and riders, Tosca is hopeful that inclusion of the discipline within the ESNZ High Performance Programme will unlock new opportunities.
“I’m driven to share everything I’ve learned along the way to help support the next generation of endurance riders. By building a strong, connected support system through the High Performance Programme, I believe we can continue to lift our sport on the world stage and work together towards our team goals in Saudi Arabia in 2026 and beyond.”
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
23rd April 2026