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Elite 4* Event rider and 2006 World Equestrian Games Team Member for New Zealand Donna Smith, started Eventing at a very early age.
The Eventing world is an expensive and a hard one, that only makes for the rider's who are dedicated and work at their sport at every chance they get. Donna is this rider, she not only works hard, she is also very competitive but very fair to her fellow competitor's and would first one to congratulate them on a winning performance or when its due.
Donna's first time representing new Zealand was in 1996 at the age of 16 on a horse called Audatious on the Trans Tasman New Zealand Eventing team that flew to Berrima, Australia. From here, Donna went on to gain mileage on the International Eventing scene in England to work for Andrew Nicholson.
After a period of time over in England, Donna came back home to work again for Show Jumping legend David Goodin, whom she had worked for since a very early age. Donna then made the decision to travel abroad once more in 2001, this time to the U.S to work for David and Karen O'Connor for 7 years.
The experience Donna has gained, has taken her to the top of her sport. In 2006 at the world equestrian games (WEG), Donna was lying in 3rd position after the dressage, a remarkable feat. Unfortunately the cross country did not go to plan, in Donnas word's "I cant wait to go again with the knowledge I have now"
Donna has produced over thirty upper level horses, some of which, she has had to sell for a means of survival within the sport. Today we are slowly changing that, and we hope in the near future, Donna will not have to sell her her Olympic/World equestrian games hopefuls.
