Star endurance team ready to tackle financial hurdles

Ace Masterton endurance rider Jenny Champion has a mountain to climb before she can represent New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games to be held in Kentucky in the United States from September 25 to October 10.
Champion needs $50,000 to enable both herself and her star charge, Freckles, to make the return trip and she has just over two months to meet that financial commitment.
Not surprisingly then, Champion's immediate focus is on bringing her mightily impressive CV up to date so she can present it to the various organisations and business houses from which sponsorship could possibly be obtained.
And she is also planning how any sponsors coming on board can be rewarded for their generosity, like having their names or logos embossed on a rug which will be worn by Freckles or painted on to the truck which usually transports the classy 15-year-old mare.
The financial considerations involved in travelling overseas have already seen Champion twice turn down the chance to represent her country at the world games and she admits that would probably have happened a third time but for her keenness to give Freckles the opportunity to compete on the highest possible stage.
It is a sentiment easily understood when you consider the marvellous record established by the duo in recent years, a record which includes two wins and three seconds at the national 160km championships and two wins in the North Island 100km championships. About 50 nations are expected to be represented in the 160km endurance event at the world games but while Champion acknowledges that the competition will be fierce, she is so thrilled with Freckles' present form and condition she sees no reason why the gritty 14.2-hand mare shouldn't give a strong account of herself.
''Obviously you can't guarantee anything when you are competing over such a long distance but at least we know we have a horse who will relish the challenge, who will give absolutely 100 per cent,'' Champion said. ''She doesn't know how to quit, it's simply not part of her nature''.
The possibility of parting with Freckles at the completion of their world games campaign to help defray expenses isn't even being contemplated by Champion who bred the mare herself and is keen to give her the chance to pass on her remarkable stamina and durability to her own progeny.
''I couldn't bear to part with her, she's family,'' Champion said of Freckles. ''If I couldn't bring her home we wouldn't be going.''