01/10/2007

TRI-NATIONS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CATHAY PACIFIC

While the All Blacks battle it out for World Cup rugby glory, New Zealand�s top showjumpers and dressage riders will be seeking a Tri Nations triumph in South Africa this weekend. The combined team flew to Johannesburg today (Tuesday) and will start their three-day competition on Thursday. New Zealand showjumpers hold the Tri Nations Trophy and are leading the current series, with a two point buffer over hosts and the Australians, who are tied on six points. Captain and former Bell Tea Horse of the Year title holder Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) is ably backed by current Horse of the Year title holder Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau), Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) and Robert Steele (Hawera). Kiwi dressage queens Jenny Scotter (Christchurch) and Jody Hartstone (Raglan) are among those at the forefront of New Zealand grand prix level. Chef d�equipe Helen Ensor (Blenheim) has every confidence the team will be coming home triumphant, trophy in hand. �It�s a good strong team and the beauty of it is that all have had a few shows under their belt so are riding fit.� It�s a different story for those heading to South Africa from Australia where there are no shows being held because of the equine flu. But it is still an awfully strong team, which includes Chris Chugg and Becky Allen, who both competed at the Horse of the Year Show in New Zealand this year, alongside Alison Rowland and Merrick Ubank. The South African team includes Loretta Knowles-Taylor and Jonathan Clarke, who both competed in New Zealand this year. All will compete on borrowed horses, with the pool of horses rotated throughout the three teams over the three days. The South African leg will be the final in the 2007 competition, with nothing scheduled to take place in Australia this year. The competition has FEI CSIO** status � quite a coup for an event so young. Dressage will not be included in the tally for the trophy this year, but will be combined with showjumping scores for future events. The 2007 competition is being held at Kyalami Equestrian Park Back>>>