Equestrian Sports New Zealand has named its 2021 Eventing Squads, consisting of High Performance, High Performance Futures, High Performance Potential, Talent Development, and Talent ID lists. The new season brings about a change in management, with Jock Paget announced as the High Performance general manager late last year.
“It has been a tough year for everyone in many ways but particularly for gaining selection onto a squad given there haven’t been many opportunities to show form,” Jock said. ESNZ high performance eventing manager Graeme Thome recognized the collective efforts of all involved for pulling together through the rollercoaster that was 2020. “I cannot say enough about the efforts everyone has made during this trying time,” he said. “Our riders have been immeasurably supported by their owners. Our support team of coaches and horse health professionals have been making every effort possible to make things happen.”
Featuring prominently among the High Performance selections is the power duo of Jonelle and Tim Price, who between themselves have eight horses named to the top squad. Included among this star-powered list are 2019 Luhmühlen winner Ascona M, 2018 Burghley winner Ringwood Sky Boy, 2018 Badminton winner Classic Moet, and 2018 Luhmühlen winner Faerie Dianimo.
Also making the High Performance squad for 2021 are Clarke Johnstone with his seasoned campaigner, Balmoral Sensation. This pair came sixth individually at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and also won the Adelaide International then-CCI4* in 2017.
All three riders are also named to the High Performance Futures Squad.
ESNZ Eventing High Performance Squad:
- Clarke Johnstone – Balmoral Sensation (Johnstone family)
- Jonelle Price – Classic Moet (Trisha Rickards and Jonelle Price)
- Jonelle Price – Faerie Dianimo (Trisha Rickards, Jacky Green and Jonelle Price)
- Jonelle Price – Grovine de Reve (Therese Miller, Jo Preston-Hunt and Philip Hunt)
- Tim Price – Ascona M (Suzanne Houchin, Lucy & Ben Sangster and Sir Peter Vela)
- Tim Price – Bango (Numero Uno Syndicate)
- Tim Price – Ringwood Sky Boy (Robert Taylor, Varenna Allen and Tim Price)
- Tim Price – Xavier Faer (Trisha Rickards, Nigella Hall and Tim Price)
- Tim Price – Wesko (The Windrush Equestrian Foundation)
ESNZ Eventing High Performance Futures Squad:
- Amanda Pottinger – Just Kidding (The Pottinger Family)
- Bundy Philpott – Tresca NZPH (Bryan Philpott and Bundy Philpott)
- Caroline Powell – On The Brash (Sarah Tobey and Sue Smiley)
- Clarke Johnstone – Aces High (Johnstone Family)
- Dan Jocelyn – Blackthorn Cruise (Panda Christie and Dan Jocelyn)
- James Avery – One of A Kind (Hazel and Chloe Livesey and James Avery)
- James Avery – Mr Sneezy (Tiny Clapham, Heidi Woodhead and James Avery)
- Jesse Campbell – Cleveland (Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell)
- Jesse Campbell – Diachello (Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell)
- Jonelle Price – McClaren (David and Katherine Thomson)
- Jonelle Price – Grappa Nera (The Grape Syndicate and Jonelle Price)
- Maddison Crowe – Waitangi Pinterest (Crowe Family)
- Monica Oakley – Acrobat (Monica Oakley)
- Monica Oakley – Artist (Monica Oakley)
- Tim Price – Falco (Sue Benson, Jackie Oliver and Tim Price)
To view the remaining ESNZ talent lists and the full press release, click here.