Equestrian: No holding back: Gordon

Finding himself in the middle of a group of girls is something Ben Gordon is used to.

It sounds like a lead in for a well-known beer advert: "It's tough being a bloke in equestrian. Yeah right". As the only male rider in the Hawke's Bay Pony Club Horse Trials Championship team, this is Gordon's fate. I caught up with him at a final training with coaches Alice Russell and Donna Wellington at Reins Equestrian, before competition starts on Friday.

As an A1 competitor at "champs", Gordon will be facing the most challenging obstacles - many of which are designed to be safe for the horses but test the courage of the rider. For Gordon though, crosscountry is the best thing since sliced bread.

His horse, Gummi Bear - he got his name when his front teeth were kicked out as a yearling - is an ace ride. "He's so bold; he just goes." Gummi has been lent to Gordon by owner Ashleigh Forde who, at 21, is too old to compete at the champs.

"I'm so lucky to have the ride, aye. He just flies around the crosscountry."

While Gummi may have the guts, Gordon too is no slacker when it comes to going for it. Gummi comes on the heels of his last ride, Billy, who Gordon rode at pony grand prix show jumping and open eventing, something not many ponies do.

Gordon pretty much grew up on the back of a horse. His first competitive pony was Big Ash, home bred by mum, Carol, when Gordon was 2. Born on the day Ruapehu erupted and named for it, Ash taught Gordon how to ride on the Taihape hills - and how to fall off.

His infectious enthusiasm for his horses and for life in general, shows through in his wide grin.

It was Gordon's next pony which really got him into eventing. With Big Ash, got when he was 9, Gordon's philosophy was simple, "Go flat out".

After Big Ash, it was on to Billy who took him to open competition. It's going to be serious stuff when Gordon lines up for the Hawke's Bay eventing team this week. Oddly, it's the dressage which scares him.

"There's so much to go wrong. There's so many different factors in dressage. The jumping's more clear cut."

You can tell Gordon is a great team member. He's got the mileage in the sport and the attitude to succeed. He went to Taratahi last year and has since earned a reputation on the farms round Waimarama for his number eight wire approach to life. If there's a problem then in Gordon's book there's probably a practical solution - and a grin to go with it.

After champs there's the goal of "managing a farm over Taihape or maybe the Wairarapa." There's Oscar, a youngster, to bring on. A mountain of a horse at 17.2 hands, he's got potential to be a jumper.

But first there's the challenge of champs and competing for Hawke's Bay on home turf with everyone he knows watching - and supporting. Chief support comes from Team Gordon - mum, Carol and sisters Zoe and Tessa, while dad Hueghan keeps the Waimarama farm going.

Team manager for the 10th year, Jane von Dadelszen, said Gordon fits the bill as a team member. "Hungry to win and organised, self-motivated."

Gordon is just focused on the dressage. "Get that out the way and we'll be sweet."

One thing's for sure. When he lines up in that crosscountry start box, he'll be out to win.