A Northlander has been selected to compete in a Trans Tasman Young Rider team in Queensland, Australia, next month.
Eighteen-year-old showjumper Sophie Burling, of Kerikeri, was chosen by Equestrian Sport New Zealand for the August 1-4 event. The Young Rider Series, an under-21 competition, jumps to heights of 1.45m.
Althoughshe has a few years left of competition in the Young Rider division, Burling also enjoys competing against New Zealand's best in the open age classes of the national Horse Grand Prix series, regularly winning places on her two self-produced warmbloods. A warmblood is a category of middle-weight performance horse.
The multi-talented teen trains and produces her own showjumpers under the banner of Maverick Sporthorses, and breeds performance warmbloods for New Zealand and overseas. She is also studying for a Bachelor of Science, specialising in equine genetics.
"Sometimes you feel a long way from competition, training and the academic world when you live in Northland - we truck horses as faraway as Gore to compete and university study by distance is a balancing act," Burling said.
"But we have a great environment for bringing on horses. I also have a growing network of clients and students, so it's nice to be helping grow the quality of the sport."
Next month's competition at the Gatton World Cup Show will be Burling's fourth time representing New Zealand. She has previously ridden in international competitions in New Zealand and South America.
