SHOWJUMPING: Bay teen to ride high in Germany

"Ich liebe dein Pferd."
A very simple German phrase meaning "I like your horse" - but Lucy Olphert is sure it will do the trick at the world-renowned German Friendship Show in Herford over the next two weeks.
And that's only if her planned, last-ditch cramming session on the plane doesn't pan out.
"Otherwise, I only know hello and goodbye," she chuckled, before adding she had taken French until 6th form.
The 17-year-old Tauranga Girls' College pupil is the Western Bay's golden equestrine - and is attending the exclusive, bi-annual German event for the second time.
More than 20 of the world's top junior riders will gather to compete and then train, under the scrutiny and expert eyes of world champions and stars.
Olphert scored her first invite to the show when representing New Zealand at the FEI Children's International Jumping Competition in Brazil in 2002.
One of the organisers spotted her talent and signed her up for the 2003 German show.
"It was awesome, it was great because it's European and it's an international competition," she said.
That year Olphert was fifth as an individual and is aiming to break the top 10 again this week.
She hopes the show will be the leg-up into the world equestrian arena she needs.
"You come from New Zealand and no one really knows you.
"I would just like to make a name for myself over there. Get known in a good way," she said.
At the Friendship Show, foreigners are buddied up with a German rider.
Olphert has drawn 17-year-old Sebastian Bolse - the south German champion.
The pair have been in touch via email and Olphert is geared up to mount a horse named Rubicon cold-turkey.
But as she trots round the manicured Olphert family arena - her body as one with five-year-old Abstract - it seems unlikely the challenge of a new horse will faze her.
The teenager has high hopes for the cool-headed grey pinto - one of four horses she is training at her Te Puna ranch.
Nonetheless, Olphert was devastated when she turned 17 and had to give away her long-time friend Scrubfire because she was too old to ride ponies.
Gathering herself, she declared nobly: "It's a hard game.
"She's taught me so much but it's time for her to teach someone else."
In Germany, Olphert will watch and ride alongside some of the superstars of the equestrian world.
These include Frankie Sloothaak, Ludger Beerbaum and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - long-standing idols of the teen.
During the first week the young riders compete and the second is designated for training.
Olphert can't wait to mix it with the best in the business - and lap up some serious German culture.
"Obviously, there is going to be a language barrier but you work around it and by the end of the week you get on with everybody. And I just love the food, anyway."