Riding star sees trip as reward for mount

Masterton's Jenny Champion will ''very definitely'' take up the offer to represent New Zealand in the 160-kilometre endurance competition at the World Equestrian Games to be held at Kentucky from September 25 to October 10.
It is the third time Champion has been selected to be part of the Kiwi contingent at what is endurance's riding equivalent of the Olympic Games but financial constraints have kept her at home on both previous occasions.
Money is still a major hurdle for Champion with ''about $50,000'' required to make the trip but her determination to be there revolves around one thing, a desire to give her 15-year-old mare Freckles the opportunity to compete on the highest possible stage.
Champion and Freckles have had a hot run on home turf over the past few years, including two wins and three seconds at the national 160km championships and two wins in the North Island 100km championships.
Champion makes no secret of the huge respect she has for her star charge.
''She is amazing, absolutely amazing,'' she said of Freckles. ''She might be 15 but she looks and acts like she is 5, she doesn't show her age at all.''
But at the same time Champion is aware Freckles is getting near the end of her competitive days and the 2010 worlds could be the last chance for her to perform at that level.
''That's really the main motivation to go, she deserves to be there.''
Champion is also determined once the worlds are over, Freckles will return to her home base at Masterton rather than be sold to help defray expenses, something which is often forced on riders.
''Honestly, I couldn't part with her, she's family,'' Champion said. ''She'll be coming home, I wouldn't have it any other way.''
Champion isn't about to predict how she and Freckles will fare at Kentucky because with about 50 nations expected to be represented in the 160km ride the competition will be fierce. But she is confident the six-strong New Zealand squad will give a strong account of themselves, maybe even as strong as in 1998 when the Kiwis won team gold.
''I'd like to think any of us could place in the top 25, that's the sort of depth we have,'' she said. ''Obviously a lot can happen over 160km but all things being equal we could be right up there at the finish.''
New Zealand high performance endurance leader and chef d'equipe Madonna Harris is also excited at the Kiwi's prospects.
She expects the terrain in Kentucky will suit the Kiwi horses perfectly and the main opposition will probably come from the United Arab Emirates, Spain and hosts United States.
Joining Champion and Freckles in the New Zealand line-up are reigning New Zealand and North Island champion Sue Reid (Pokeno) aboard Makahiwi Achilles; Alison Higgins (Nelson) on Twynham El Omar; Debbie Worsfold (Rangiora) on Northwinds Bradley McGregor; and Jenny Chandler (Te Awamutu) on Lace and Fineness.
Endurance is one of eight equestrian disciplines in the 16-day World Games. The others are showjumping, reining, dressage, eventing, para dressage, vaulting and driving. Organisers expect to sell 600,000 tickets.