Kiwis take out the Trans-Tasman YR Challenge

Kerry Marshall - Kampic NZ

Above: Jack Barker (AUST) rides Colemans Daughter, Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

After a win each for the first two rounds of the Trans-Tasman Young Rider Teams’ Challenge at the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne, the competition was set up for an exciting final today. However, it wasn’t to be for the Aussie Young Riders today in this borrowed horse event and it was the Kiwis who took the Test.

Under the rules of this three-round competition, teams are awarded five points for a win in each round and three points for second. There are also bonus points on offer. Each time a team achieves three or more clear rounds within a round, a bonus point is awarded.

The New Zealand Young Riders won the first round on Day One and then the Aussies took the win yesterday. Therefore, leading into today’s final round, there was just a single point between the two teams, with the Kiwis on nine – thanks to their bonus point yesterday – and the visitors on eight. However, today’s competition saw the Aussie Team finish on 11 Points with the New Zealanders on 14.

Regardless of the outcome, we are sure that our Young Riders; Jack Barker, Elissa Stephens, Hayden Parker and Cody Tincknell have had a fantastic experience and have loved representing their country at this wonderful event. We congratulate our Young Riders on their performance and thank the New Zealand team for hosting this competition. We look forward to more of the same in the future!