Equestrian Sport New Zealand Endurance has named its team to compete in the Junior/Young Rider World Endurance Championships in Abu Dhabi in December this year. 

For the first time ever the team will take their own horses to compete in the highly challenging and competitive event.

The talented team includes 21-year old Wellington University Student Tessa Deuss and her mount Aspen Hills Santa Ana,competing in her second Young Rider World Endurance Champs, having ridden for the 2007 team,on leased horses, in Argentina. 

Maramarua’s Sian Reid qualified on two of the families’ horses, AA Oscar and AA Sabatage, but it is nine year old Sabatage that will make the long trip over and compete with her in this momentous event. 20 year old Sian was also part of the sixth placed kiwi Young Rider team in Argentina, and her main goal is to go even better this time.

Riding the most experienced horse, is 17 year old Emma Mason from Upper Hutt. Emma completed her first 160km 3 star ride this year at the Kuratau Nationals. Her 11 year old mount, Taralea Sheer Illusion has an impressive CV, with well over 2,000 competitive kilometers to his name.

The youngest of the four is 15 year old Georgia Smith from Taihape, who also qualified on more than one mount. She will compete on Australian-bred Anglo Arab, Aurora Australis, Rory for short. Her highest achievement to date was gaining her first buckle, which she earned on Rory, in the 160km, 3 star event at the Kuratau National Championships earlier this year.

ESNZ representative for Endurance Heidi Bulfin says the girls are all very excited to take part and are busy fundraising to help them get to the competition.

“Well they are all qualified and ready to go, we’re just waiting for the official invite which will see how much funding their already is because there will be some from the host nation; and once they know that we can work on some other funding opportunities for them and hopefully get some grants and sponsorship.”