Kiwi eventers are chasing top honours at the prestigious CHIO Aachen in Germany this week. All eyes are on the much-coveted Nations Cup teams’ competition which the New Zealanders won in 2018 and were second in 2019.
This year they will be up against France, hosts Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and the United States for the Nations Cup event, with individuals also competing from Sweden, Japan, Australia and Belgium.
The New Zealand team comprises Tim Price aboard Falco, Jonelle Price on McClaren, Jesse Campbell with Amsterdam 21 and Maddison Crowe aboard Waitangi Pinterest. Tayla Mason will ride as an individual on Centennial.
Maddison is extremely excited to be making her Nations Cup debut in the Aachen team. “I am so thrilled to be going and to be on that team is so special. Lush has travelled well and is feeling really good. I can’t wait to get there,” she said.
ESNZ high performance eventing manager Graeme Thom says the team has had a great lead in for what promises to be another good competition.
The team and others had had an “amazing” day of training at Rectory Farm with Luis Alvarez-Cervera. “It was a great day of prep with good weather and everyone is now really focussed on Aachen,” said Graeme.
The team leaves on Wednesday with the dressage starting early on Friday morning, followed by showjumping that evening and the cross country on Saturday. “All the horses are good and we are all looking forward to some excellent competition.”
There are still strict COVID rules around the event but all of the New Zealand contingent are fully vaccinated.
WHAT: CHIO Aachen – World Equestrian Festival
WHEN: September 10-19, 2021 – eventing September 17-18
CLICK HERE FOR STARTLISTS, STREAMING & RESUTLS
THE HORSE DETAILS:
McClaren – owned by David and Katherine Thomson
Falco – owned by Sue Benson, Jackie Olivier and Tim Price
Amsterdam 21 – owned by Craig Campbell
Waitangi Pinterest – owned by the Crowe Family
Centennial – owned by Sonya Mason, Sue Rutter, Kyle Mason and Tayla Mason
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ