Jockey Lisa Allpress is the latest high profile Wanganui athlete to test her skills on the world stage.
The winner of last year's New Zealand jockey premiership and Wanganui's national Senior Sportsperson of the Year is poised for a campaign in three countries.
Allpress, who is also the first NewZealand woman jockey to chalk up 1000 homeland winners, has been invited to ride in an international jockeys' series in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 15 and 16, an international woman jockeys' series at Ascot in England on August 10 and then has signed a three month contract to ride in Singapore beginning on September 1.
Former Kiwi racing journalist, Jack Petley, now based in Australia, organised the trip to England.
"I'm really excited. I've never been to England before let alone ride at Ascot," Allpress said.
Husband Karl will accompany the 37-year-old to both England and Malaysia where he is already a well-known horseman. In the late 1990s and early 2000s Karl Allpress worked for Kiwi trainer John Sargent when he won the Malaysian trainers' premiership from their Kuala Lumpur base.
"I've been to Kuala Lumpur when Karl was there, but never ridden there," she said.
Meanwhile, Allpress has signed a three month contract with the Singapore Jockey Club and the entire family will make the trip.
"Karl and the boys, Josh (8) and Angus (5), will be coming to Singapore for the whole three months. This is a great chance to give the boys a taste of what other countries are like. We looked at doing their schooling by correspondence, but have since decided Karl will home school them.
"It's only three months and Josh is doing well at school while Angus has only just turned five. It's been a really busy few seasons for me of late, especially chasing the premiership last season, so this is a good opportunity to slow down a bit. They only race twice a week in Singapore and there's no travelling," Allpress said.
While the Wanganui jockey will not actively chase this season's New Zealand premiership, she is focused on finishing at least in the top four or five before taking it easier next season.
"I'm not thinking of retiring anytime soon, but I would like to take it a bit easier.
"With my time overseas it would be a bit much to chase this year's premiership, but I'll happy be happy to finish in the top four or five. Next season I'll take it easier and back off the travelling to concentrate riding in the Central Districts," she said.
