Teen makes leap as Junior rep

ONE HORSEPOWER: Australian-bound Wanganui teenager Tamati Butler and his polocrosse pony Chevy won Champion Rockwood Pony in Tokoroa last weekend.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

YOUNG Wanganui horseman Tamati Butler has made the New Zealand Junior Polocrosse squad to tackle the Australians in Albury, NSW next month.

The 15-year-old Cullinane College student is a regular on the polocrosse circuit playing for his club side Kakatahi, although caught the eye of the New Zealand selectors when competing at the junior/intermediate competition in Auckland last month when riding for the Wanganui-Waimarino team.

While Wanganui-Waimarino failed to win a match in Auckland, Butler emerged a star gaining selection to the wider New Zealand junior training squad of 12, that was subsequently whittled down to a test squad of eight.

"We fly out to Australia on April 7 for a week-long training camp before taking on teams from all Australian states," Butler said.

"My older sister Kiriana made the New Zealand juniors in 2009/2010 and also competed in Australia."

One of Butler's favourite mounts, Chevy, won B-grade Champion Pony at National Club Championships in the Roke (A-grade) Rockwood (B-grade) competition in Tokoroa just last weekend. Unfortunately, the New Zealand team do not get the chance to ride their own ponies in Australia. Their mounts are provided for them during international duties, although the same applies for visitors playing on our shores.

Getting used to new ponies at short notice holds no fears for the youngster.

"I've pretty much ridden all my life and my father has taught me. He plays for Kakatahi too," Butler said.

Butler was also named No1 rider in division three at last year's junior nationals during his debut season. His sister reached No3 at that level.