EQUESTRIAN: Facing hurdles together

Shane Hurndell
Simon and Claire Wilson, of Waipukurau, will create Showjumping New Zealand history next week.
They will be the first husband-and-wife duo to represent SNZ when they join Wairoa's Molly Bennett and Clevedon's John Cottle in the Kiwi team for a 15-day two-test tour. While rapt with their history-making selection, they were quick to acknowledge its downside.
They will be away from their 15-month-old son Tim while attempting to beat their Aussie counterparts.
"Telecom will do well out of this trip," Claire said with a laugh.
"Seriously though, we're lucky that both of our mothers have agreed to take turns in looking after Tim," Claire said yesterday as she and Simon took a break from preparations for the trip and this weekend's New Zealand final of the showjumping world cup in Auckland.
While Claire and Simon will be using the telephone calls to check on the behaviour of their son, Claire's mother, Di Murphy, will be checking on the progress of two of her former "babies" - Claire and her horse Vita Power Answer Back, an 11-year-old grey stallion bred and owned by Murphy.
Simon will ride Vita Power Swinger, the Sculptured Arch thoroughbred he rode last March when he became the first Hawke's Bay rider to win the prestigious Horse of the Year grand prix title since the show became a permanent fixture in Hastings in 1998.
Simon, who has travelled overseas as a New Zealand rep, is eager to beat the Aussies on their home turf.
Claire's goal is more simple and reflects the fact she will be representing her country overseas for the first time.
"Getting selected was beyond my dreams. I just want to show I'm worthy of being in the team," she said.
Their horses will be flying overseas for the first time and the couple said how well the animals coped with the flight would be a key factor in their success across the Tasman.
"There are two stallions among the horses on our team, so there will be a lot of hormones bouncing around the plane," Claire laughed.
The Team Wilson duo are full of praise for the support they have received from Central Hawke's Bay businesses since their selections were announced last month. They will also take their CHB-based grooms - Claire has Helen Brun and Simon Jackie Ryan.
Before Bennett, Cottle and the Wilsons meet on Sunday night to discuss tactics for Australia they will spend two days as opponents in the showjumping World Cup New Zealand final.
Cottle and his 11-year-old grey stallion Telegraph lead the world cup series by 16 points from Dannevirke's long-time campaigner Maurice Beatson (riding My Gollywog) and Simon, who are second equal. Claire and Bennett are tied in fourth place, 11 points adrift.
"Obviously John (Cottle) is looking good and has a strong hold on the title, but the rest of us still want to finish as well as we can," said Simon.
The winner of the series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the final in Las Vegas in April.
Beatson's son Jamie will be another prominent Hawke's Bay starter in the final.