Kiwi Showjumpers Named for Olympic Qualifier

Kiwi Showjumpers Named for Olympic Qualifier

There is plenty riding on the shoulders of former Olympians and World Champs representatives Bruce Goodin and Samantha McIntosh at the CSI1* Olympic Qualifier in Hagen later this month.

The special event in Germany on August 25 is the only chance New Zealand has to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, outside of qualifying via the rider rankings. There, they will go head-to-head with the rest of Group G – South East Asia and Oceania – which includes New Zealand, Australia and Japan, among others.

Up for grabs at Hagen is a team spot, although the Kiwi riders are eyeing up the individual place.

Consistency has been the key for Goodin, who is named with both 10-year-old grey gelding Freestyle 39 (owned by Stall Kocchs) and his 2014 World Champs horse Centina 10 (owned by Glen Nielsen).

A final decision on which horse he will compete on will be made nearer the time of the competition.

Goodin says Hagen is going to be a big challenge, and it will be about making everything come together on the day.

“Anything can happen,” he says. “I’m fortunate to have three horses jumping at this level to choose from, but that in itself also poses questions of which one will the qualifier be best suited to.”

There were a lot of variables to take into account.

France-based McIntosh will compete aboard AKI 70 (owned by SCEA Haras de la Becassiere), a 10-year-old grey gelding she has been riding since April.
“I'm looking forward to Hagen,” said McIntosh. “AKI is going well, but still gaining experience in those bigger classes.”

Also attending Hagen will be ESNZ Jumping Performance Coach Jeff McVean and High Performance Director Sarah Dalziell.

McVean is confident that chasing the individual spot for Rio is the right option.

“We have some good horses and other exciting youngsters coming through, but just couldn't guarantee four strong ones for Rio,” says McVean. “It is better for us to have three very good combinations vying for that one spot – once we qualify – and we can guarantee the Olympic Committee of strong representation.”
And it was a huge boost to have owners who were also committed to retaining horses through to Rio and beyond.

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