International clash a feature at Showjumping Championships

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Rotorua rider Oliver Croucher is making the step up from New Zealand reserve last year to team member this year and is “stoked” to get his chance. Bay of Plenty Times picture

THE Aussies are coming and the Kiwis will be waiting for them at the Larsen Sawmilling Showjumping Championships in Gisborne this weekend.

Horses, ponies, riders and support crews are travelling from as far away as Hokitika in the south and Hikurangi in the north for the annual show.

One of the biggest drawcards will be the Trans-Tasman Young Rider Test to be run over all three days.

New Zealand will be represented by Lucinda Askin (Ashburton), Matt Irvine (Takapau), Oliver Croucher (Rotorua) and Nakeysha Lammers (Taranaki). They will line up against Jamie Priestley, Jessie Rice-Ward, Madeline Sinderberry and Jessica Tripp.

All riders will compete on borrowed horses, with points accumulating over the show.

Kiwi chef d'equipe John Cottle is a big fan of team competition for the nation’s budding stars.

“We don’t get enough of these team events,” the former Olympian said.

“This competition is very strong now. I think the Australians had 150 applicants for their team.”

He has every confidence in the New Zealand team, who won the test in 2016 but were beaten by the Aussies last year.

The riders are excited and looking forward to the clash.

“We have a great team and so do the Australians, so it will be a very exciting event,” said Lammers, who was also in the team last year.

Another tryAskin is also back for another crack at their rivals across the Tasman.

“It is such an honour to be able to compete with the silver fern on your jacket,” she said.

Croucher, who is is making the step up from reserve last year, is “stoked” to get his chance, while Irvine is still buzzing after getting the call-up.

“It was tough competition for the four spots,” said Irvine, who has also been named on the short list for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the phone call.”

Steffi Whittaker (Canterbury) is team reserve.

Classy Gisborne riders Tess Clark and Fraser Tombleson spearhead a competitive Bayley’s Real Estate Premier League 1.4-to-1.6-metre class.

Clark will be aboard Sinatra II while Tombleson will ride the homebred Mea I.

Clark recently placed fourth in the FEI World Cup NZ League Final and was fifth in the series, so heads into the show in solid form.

Among the visitors chasing glory will be Emily Hayward (Te Awamutu), who has three horses entered in the prestigious class and is always a danger.

The teenager placed third in the World Cup New Zealand series.

The Country TV Pony Grand Prix has attracted some strong combinations, including Emma Watson (Morrinsville) aboard former Pony of the Year Maddox Fun House.

As this is a premier show, all Equestrian Sports New Zealand series classes will be run, with top points on offer for riders.

The 2017-2018 season is heading towards the business end so those chasing series points will be keen to add to their tallies.

Series classes in the show hunter categories will also be held at the show.

Australian John Vallance is designing the courses.

Competition starts at 9am tomorrow, 8.30am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.