Aussies on Track for Horse of the Year Show!

Only 4 days to go until the biggest show in Australasia!  The New Zealand Horse of the Year Show, kicks off on 15 March and runs through until 20 March.  As reported last week on Horsezone, the Aussies will be there in the thick of the action, doing us proud!

This week, Horsezone managed to catch up with members of the Australian Showjumping Team for a quick chat before they and their horses took off to New Zealand.

The trip across the ditch is nothing new to elite competitor George Sanna (pictured left - photo: Christine Johnson), who has represented Australia at two Olympics, three World Cup finals and one World Equestrian Games, however, this will be the first time since 1998 that George has competed at the Horse of the Year Show!  George has been busy coaching in recent years and has attended HOY in that capacity, providing invaluable knowledge and support to riders. This year George is happy to be back in the saddle and on the Australian team, riding his talented mare CP Aprilla.

George purchased CP Aprilla - by legendary Dutch stallion Heartbreaker - as a five year old from Jan Tops and Edwina Alexander.  "CP Aprilla has only recently stepped up into the Grand Prix ranks", says George, "however, her winning the NSW and Australian Championships in November 2010 has proven that she is can be a serious contender in the big classes."

George is looking forward to competing at the Horse of the Year Show, where he's keen to get CP Aprilla out in those big classes and jumping tracks by top course builder Leopoldo Palacios.  He's always been very impressed by the Horse of the Year Show and says, "it's great to be part of such a big show with so many horses in one place, competing in a such a huge variety of disciplines.  There's a fantastic Trade Show, four showjumping arenas and obviously what's especially good for the showjumpers, an excellent course builder!"

George's fellow Team member, Brook Dobbin (pictured right - photo: Derek O'Leary), last competed at the Horse of the Year Show in 2003 when he was previously part of the Australian Team.  Individually that year he won the Norwood Cup and ran 4th in the Horse of the Year class.  Brooks says, "it is always great to be selected for an Australian Team because it shows that all the hard work you put in is paying off."

Brook's 11 Year old gelding, Advisor, has not been overseas before but has travelled extensively throughout Australia. Of this handsome grey Brook comments, "I have had the horse for nearly two years and feel we have formed a great partnership with two world cup wins, numerous placings and overall leading horse and rider for the current world cup season.  I feel he still has a lot of improvement in him and believe his best is yet to come! I am looking forward to the NZ trip as I believe it is a great introduction to future overseas trips for this horse, a short flight but is very similar to things that will be encountered next year, when we hope to travel to Europe to further see what might be possible over there."

This is the first time on the Team for Julia Hargreaves (pictured left - photo: Christine Johnson), who says, "It's my first time representing Australia, so I'm pretty nervous! Luckily I'm in great company.  My coach (George Sanna) is on the team, so that makes it a whole lot easier!"

This isn't the first time Julia has competed at the Horse of the Year Show - in 2009 she placed second in the Olympic Cup riding Copabella Haymen and of this experience she simply said, "I had a ball!"

Horsezone have a stand at the Horse of the Year Show and our Business Manager, Haylie Martin, will be in attendance throughout the show.  Stay tuned as Haylie catches up with other Australian Team Member Cathy Graham (pictured right - photo: Christine Johnson) and Reserve Paul Athanasoff.  We'll also hopefully get to chat with other Aussies in attendance including Jamie Winning, Jamie Kermond, Gemma Creighton, Danielle Butcher and Billy Raymont and will keep you up to date on everyone's performances. Bring it on!

CLICK HERE to read more at Equestrian Australia

Photos: courtesy of Equestrian Australia.