Taking her culture to the equestrian world

PROUD KIWI: Lizzie Rangihuna will compete in an international showjumping event in Ireland next month. Picture by Cornege Photography

For Lizzie Rangihuna, competing in a showjumping competition in Ireland won’t just be about the New Zealand team’s equine talents.

She wants to “empower more young Maori to take up this sport and to feel proud to do so”.

Rangihuna, 20, wants people to get behind her and follow her journey, and she plans to “take the Maori community out there into the world”.

She is one of eight New Zealand riders selected to compete in the Cavan Indoor International CSI 1* event next month.

The riders will compete on borrowed horses.

Rangihuna is living in Hastings but is from Te Araroa on the East Cape.

She is of Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Tuwharetoa descent, and speaks te reo Maori fluently.

Rangihuna describes herself as a proud New Zealander who is ready to represent her country.

“I love this sport and work hard to the best of my abilities to be the best rider I can be.”

Rangihuna has set up a givealittle page to help fund her trip to Ireland and is also running raffles on a Facebook page. She would be grateful for any koha.

Cavan is the biggest and busiest equestrian centre in Ireland for showjumping events and horse and pony auctions.

The facilities include 450 permanent stables and three indoor arenas.

The showjumping event is from November 6 to 10.

Rangihuna will leave for Ireland a week earlier, she will be introduced to the horses available for the competition and will receive lessons from professional riders.

She has not competed overseas before.

“It’s a great opportunity, not just for me but to show young Maori what they can do on the world stage.”