Olympic medallist’s daughter debuts in New Zealand World Championships squad
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Two new faces will join three team regulars in Pratoni del Vivaro (15-18 September), as the New Zealand World Eventing Championships team is named.
Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) has confirmed its five horse and rider combinations who will travel to Italy next month.
The selected combinations, in alphabetical order, are:
Clarke Johnstone with 12-year-old Menlo ParkOwner: Clarke and his parents’ Jean and RobBreeding: by Eurocommerce Berlin, out of a mare by Rock King
Amanda Pottinger with 16-year-old gelding Just KiddingOwner: The Pottinger familyBreeder: Chelsaus & OrphendaleBreeding: By Fusaichi Pegasus, out of a Sadler’s Wells mare
Monica Spencer with 11-year-old gelding ArtistOwner: Monica and her husband AndrewBreeder: Windsor Park Stud Ltd
The reserve combinations are:
Jesse Campbell with 12-year-old gelding DiachelloOwner: Jesse and Kent GardnerBreeder: Thomas VisserBreeding: By Diarado, out of a Chello I mare
Mathew Grayling with 16-year-old gelding TrudeauOwner: Winky FoleyBreeder: Winky FoleyBreeding: By Magistad, out of a Valiant mare
Samantha Lissington with 11-year-old gelding Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZOwner: Samantha and Pip McCarrolBreeder: Goldengrove StudBreeding: By Caretino, out of a Tristaking mare
Clarke was the best-placed Kiwi at the Rio Olympics finishing sixth individually with Balmoral Sensation. In Pratoni he will ride the British-bred Menlo Park, who joined his stable last year.
Monica and Amanda will make their championship debut at the World Eventing Championships. Monica and Artist, who are on their way to Europe from New Zealand for early preparation, have previously won the Puhinui CCI4*-L. Amanda – the daughter of bronze medal-winning Olympic rider Tinks Pottinger – completed her first Badminton this year, where she was 35th with Just Kidding.
Jock Paget, ESNZ high performance general manager, said it is an “exciting team to name as the nation looks towards Paris 2024”.
“It’s encouraging to have the combination of championship debutants and experienced campaigners such as Tim, Jonelle and Clarke in the team. This is our qualifying opportunity for Paris and we are hopeful of contesting the medals,” he said.
“We’ve had a good build-up in terms of training and have invested into more team competition this year – hopefully, this pays dividends on the day.”
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