While the Trans Tasman focus may be very much on the Oceania Eventing Championships in March with the Australian teams having been announced, there is another Australian/New Zealand challenge underway at the moment
The Pony Club Inter Pacific Exchange takes place every two years and the first one since the Covid pandemic is taking place from 8th – 26th January on the South Island, New Zealand with teams from Australia, New Zealand and USA taking part
The Australian team comprises Ashleigh Bennett from Young, NSW (captain), Georgie Eliase from Launceston, Tasmania, Georgie Goss from Perth, WA and Bridget Mouat from Riddells Creek, VIC with Deziree Roos (QLD) as Team Manager and Meaghan Sutherland (VIC) as coach.
To qualify for the Inter Pacific Exchange riders must have obtained their B Certificate and be riding at the highest level of jumping for Pony Club.
There are two main competitions; a scrambled teams event which is historically a one day event but was run this year as a Combined Training day on January 20th and the Nations Cup showjumping event, coming up on January 24th
For both competitions riders are balloted a horse the day prior and have a familiarisation ride on that day. They are then balloted in team order and the coach and captain determine the order of riders.
This year the Australian riders are Ashleigh Bennett from Young, NSW (Captain), Georgie Eliase Launceston Tas, Georgie Goss, Perth WA, Bridget Mouat, Riddells Creek Vic, with Deziree Roos, Hervey Bay Qld as Team Manager and Meaghan Sutherland, Riddells Creek Vic as coach.
To qualify for the Inter Pacific Exchange riders must have obtained their B Certificate and be riding at the highest level of jumping for Pony Club.
“The riders are having an amazing time, helping out with the South Island Teams Showjumping competition. They've also had a trip to Mt Cook including a glacier boat ride, visiting a number of lakes, the Mount John Observatory and Queenstown” says team coach Meaghan Sutherland.
You can follow the Australian team on their travels and find out more about each of the riders on the PCA Inter Pacific Facebook page here
