Australia's 2017 Oceania Championship teams named

      Australian International 3DE CCI4* winner Hazel Shannon makes her first Australian team

 

 Equestrian Australia has announced the final teams for the 2017 Oceania Championships being held in conjunction with the Melbourne International 3 Day Event from June 8th-12th

Several new faces have been selected for the Oceania Championships this year giving them an opportunity to gain invaluable major competition experience within a representative team, in alignment with EA’s High Performance plan for the development of emerging rider combinations.

EA has appointed two Chef d’Equipes/ coaches to manage the senior and young rider teams this year with Sam Lyle (Senior Team) and Will Enzinger (Young Rider Team) sharing these important duties.

 

2017 Oceania Championships Senior Team

Andrew Cooper riding Evergem Perfection

Robert Palm riding Koko Story

Hazel Shannon riding Clifford

Stuart Tinney riding War Hawk

Reserves

Emma Bishop CP Issey Miyake

Rohan Luxmore Bells “N” Whistles

 

2017 Oceania Championships Young Rider Team

Olivia Barton riding APH Bertie Bad

Hannah Lewindon riding Veretti

Shenae Lowings  riding Venture Sky High

Gemma Tinneyriding  Annapurna

Reserves

Richard Knight riding APH Lion Red

Madeleine O’Callaghan riding Fernloch Allemande

Tayah Andrew riding Silverforce

 

The Tinney family has a strong presence in the Oceania Championships’ Australian representation taking on the Kiwis this year.

Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold and Rio Bronze Medallist Stuart Tinney will ride on the Senior Team whilst his daughter and emerging star Gemma has been named on the Young Rider Team.

Gemma who recently won the CIC3* and Australian Eventing Championship at Equestriad said she was rapt about making the team.

“It is a massive honour to be named,” said Gemma “I am excited to be on an Australian team for the first time and have the chance to test myself and see what I’m like under pressure.”

 

      Gemma Tinney will be competing on John and Jane Pittard's Annapurna

 

Gemma is looking forward to being part of a team with her father Stuart who is a major influence in her riding career.

“Dad is always there every step of the way. He helps me warm up for each phase and it’s so good having the support there,” she said “I had no idea Dad was going to be on the team so when we found out we were all very excited.”

Gemma competed with success at last year’s Melbourne International 3 Day Event winning the CC1* so she is positively familiar with the stage for the Oceania Championships.

She will next compete in the CIC3* on her mare Annapurna at the Sydney International Horse Trials at Sydney International Equestrian Centre next week.

The Oceania Championships teams will gather for a training session together at Werribee Park on Sunday June 4.

All team riders are looking forward to revisiting the great rivalry with New Zealand and this should make for an enthralling renewal of the 2017 Oceania Championships.