Equestrian: Kiwi riders face strong Aussie side

Annabel Wigley. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand will need to be on song to topple a strong Australian side in the senior transtasman teams competition at the Kihikihi International Horse Trial this weekend.

That team will be named after tomorrow afternoon's trot-up.

"We're definitely in the rebuilding phase with some of our top rising stars of recent years now based in the UK," head of selectors Andrew Scott said.

"I tend to not worry about the opposition though, preferring to focus on getting our best team out there."

But the weather may play into the hands of the Kiwi team, who have won 10 of the past 13 clashes.

"This is a great opportunity for some of our young riders to put their hands up and a chance for us to see how they operate in a team situation, so it is exciting," Scott said.

The transtasman competition will run as part of the Waipa Home of Champions CIC three star class, which has attracted a good field of rising Kiwi stars, including Annabel Wigley from Amberley in north Canterbury, fresh from victory in the eventer of the year class at the Horse of the Year Show.

But a raft of others could also lay claim to the Kihikihi crown, including Bell Tea Super League Series leader Christen Hayde (Pukekohe), Donna Smith (Te Kauwhata), Simon Gordon (Papakura), Brent Jury (Rangiora), and Aussie-based Joseph Waldron.

And let's not forget that strong Australian line-up of Shane Rose, Natalie Blundell, Christine Bates and Katja Weimann, who are bringing some serious horse power.