New Zealand reveals its ‘strongest ever’ jumping team for WEG

New Zealand’s showjumping high performance leader Richard Sunderland has described his squad for the FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games in Kentucky as the country’s strongest ever showjumping team.

The squad includes:

• Samantha McIntosh riding Loxley 38
• Katie McVean with Dunstan Delphi
• Guy Thomas and Peterbilt
• Maurice Beatson on Apollo van Evendael

“Potentially this is the best team I have ever had anything to do with,” says Richard. “We’ve got three combinations who are consistently jumping clear at 1.60m and a fourth with a young horse, who is coming into his own.”

While Apollo is the most inexperienced horse on the squad, Richard believes that the talent and experience of former Olympian Beatson makes them a must-have combination.

“We have to concentrate on getting through to the second round of the team competition,” said Richard. “Just 10 nations go through, but I am quietly confident you’ll see the silver fern [of New Zealand] amongst them.”

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