Endurance Team Settles into North Carolina

The StablesThe welcoming party and new friendsThe welcoming party and new friendsHorses arriving at their Shelby base late at nightHorses arriving at their Shelby base late at nightHorses arriving at their Shelby base late at night

New Zealand’s WEG-bound endurance team are on the ground in North Carolina.

Horses Barack Obama and Rosewood Bashir have joined their riders Jenny Champion and Philip Graham and the rest of the support team at their Shelby base. Team chef d’equipe Sue Reid says their hosts the Talleys have been hugely welcoming and helpful.

“They even have two new friends for our endurance horses in the form of two Shetland ponies.”

The Kiwi horses had a long flight into New York where they were quarantined before being trucked to Shelby. “Both have travelled very well and the riders are pleased to see them.”

The weather is hot and humid with afternoon rain. As part of their preparation, the riders have signed up to a local gym for the coming weeks.

By Diana Dobson
Photos by Sue Reid