Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio Photo: Main Event Photography
Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney is among the four member Australian team which has been named to take on New Zealand in a Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge at this year’s Sydney International CCI3* which commences on Friday.
National eventing selectors have named a strong team which includes current Australian International Three Day Event champion Craig Barrett (NSW), 2012 Trans-Tasman representative Natalie Blundell (ACT) and 26 year old Emma Scott who is set to make her debut for Australia.
Emma Scott and Mustang Photo: ESJ Photo
“I’m wonderfully excited about the opportunity to represent my country, it’s been a lifelong dream and it’s finally happening this week,” Scott said.
Two-time Olympian Stuart Tinney has been a pivotal member of a number of successful Australian teams and always enjoys going head to head against the Kiwis.
“Competing against New Zealand is always good fun and we have to make sure we come out on top, sometimes they can sneak ahead of us so we have to keep them at bay. We’ve got a really great team and hopefully we can go well,” Tinney said.
The Sydney International CCI3* is a major international event in its own right but with the added duel between Australia and New Zealand taking place, and happening around the time of ANZAC Day, this year’s event is extra significant.
The Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge headlines a full three days of equestrian action at the venue of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Australia currently holds the Trans-Tasman tittle and will be looking to retain the trophy which it won in 2012 in New Zealand. Action gets underway from Friday.
The Australian team is as follows:
Rider Horse Owner(s)
Craig Barrett Sandhills Brillaire Keith and Juliet Osborne
Stuart Tinney Pluto Mio Elizabeth and John Pittard
Nat Blundell Algebra John Glenn and Julia McLean
Emma Scott Mustang Emma Scott and Anthony Twomey
Reserves:
Seumas Marwood Wild Oats Danielle and Seumas Marwood
Jessica Manson Legal Star Jessica Manson
The team will be declared to the Organising Committee after the Trot Up on Friday and if needed the team may substitute a reserve until then.
Team Support Staff:
Prue Barrett - Chef d'Equipe
Brett Parbery – dressage coach
Sam Lyle – jumping coach
Nathan Anthony – Vet
