From London 2012 to Rio 2016 - the Kiwis are looking for another podium finish Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI
It’s nothing but Rio on the minds of Equestrian Sports New Zealand, who today have announced their new high performance eventing squads.
On the back of the bronze medal winning team effort at the London Olympics, the discipline has received increased funding from Sport New Zealand, and a renewed confidence that the high performance programme is on the right track.
ESNZ high performance director Sarah Harris says there is no time for complacency, the stringently-selected squads reflect only those combinations who have the potential to produce an individual podium result at the Rio Olympics.
Leading the way is the world’s number one ranked rider Andrew Nicholson who has six horses on the squad, along with the number four ranked Jonathan Paget with three horses and the number six ranked Sir Mark Todd who is also on with three horses.
Rounding out the squad are London Olympic team-mates Caroline Powell and Jonelle Richards, along with World Champs team-member Clarke Johnstone and London Olympic reserve Lucy Jackson.
Powell’s double Olympic horse Lenamore is not on the squad. The selectors are not considering him for Rio, but the 20-year-old will be likely to be competing at Badminton this year.
Four real up-and-coming riders have been named on the high performance eventing accelerator squad, in Jesse Campbell, Joe Waldron, Lizzie Brown and Tim Price.
“The squads reflect a realignment of our programme through to Rio,” says Harris. “We want to be continually pushing to be better with a world-leading programme. We are recognised as such, but we are always looking to improve anything that leads to better results.”
She sees the accelerator programme as vital to future of eventing.
“People will be added to that to ensure sustainability over time. We need to be identifying young talent – whether that be rider or horse – and working with them to accelerate their performances so they have the ability to impact at Rio.”
Both squads have an open door policy and can be changed at any time.
“It’s great to have such depth of good horsepower,” says Harris. “Lining up for London, we were a bit thin on the ground for second and third horses, but by Rio we are going to be really well placed. This is an exciting time for New Zealand equestrian.”
The international eventing season kicks off with the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in April, followed by the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. World Championships in France in 2014 will be the first pinnacle event,
The squads –
High Performance Eventing Squad:
Andrew Nicholson with Nereo (owned by Deborah Sellar, Avebury (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow), Mr Cruise Control (owned by Nicky and Robin Salmon), Quimbo (owned by Deborah Sellar), Calico Joe (owned by In Mind Syndicate), Qwanza (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow)
Jonathan Paget with Clifton Promise (owned by Frances Stead and Russell Hall), Clifton Lush (owned by Frances Stead and Lucy Allison), Bullet Proof (owned by Joe and Alex Giannamore)
Mark Todd with NZB Campino (owned by Peter and Pam Vela),Leonidas (owned by Peter and Di Brunsden), NZB Land Vision (owned by Peter and Pam Vela)
Caroline Powell with Boston Two Tip (owned by Alan Bell), Onwards and Upwards (owned by Mary and Cameron Crawford)
Jonelle Richards with Mere Oak (owned by Lucy Sangster)
Clarke Johnstone with Orient Express (owned by Johnstone Family), Incognito (owned by Johnstone Family)
Lucy Jackson with Kilcoltrim Ambassador (owned by Sprout Syndicate), Willy Do (owned by Mark, Gillian and Charlotte Greenlees)
High Performance Eventing Accelerator Squad:
Jesse Campbell, Joe Waldron, Lizzie Brown and Tim Price
