Australian International 3DE CCI4* winner Hazel Shannon makes her first Australian team
Equestrian Australia has announced the final teams for the 2017 Oceania Championships being held in conjunction with the Melbourne International 3 Day Event from June 8th-12th
Several new faces have been selected for the Oceania Championships this year giving them an opportunity to gain invaluable major competition experience within a representative team, in alignment with EA’s High Performance plan for the development of emerging rider combinations.
EA has appointed two Chef d’Equipes/ coaches to manage the senior and young rider teams this year with Sam Lyle (Senior Team) and Will Enzinger (Young Rider Team) sharing these important duties.
2017 Oceania Championships Senior Team
Andrew Cooper riding Evergem Perfection
Robert Palm riding Koko Story
Hazel Shannon riding Clifford
Stuart Tinney riding War Hawk
Reserves
Emma Bishop CP Issey Miyake
Rohan Luxmore Bells “N” Whistles
2017 Oceania Championships Young Rider Team
Olivia Barton riding APH Bertie Bad
Hannah Lewindon riding Veretti
Shenae Lowings riding Venture Sky High
Gemma Tinneyriding Annapurna
Reserves
Richard Knight riding APH Lion Red
Madeleine O’Callaghan riding Fernloch Allemande
Tayah Andrew riding Silverforce
The Tinney family has a strong presence in the Oceania Championships’ Australian representation taking on the Kiwis this year.
Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold and Rio Bronze Medallist Stuart Tinney will ride on the Senior Team whilst his daughter and emerging star Gemma has been named on the Young Rider Team.
Gemma who recently won the CIC3* and Australian Eventing Championship at Equestriad said she was rapt about making the team.
“It is a massive honour to be named,” said Gemma “I am excited to be on an Australian team for the first time and have the chance to test myself and see what I’m like under pressure.”
Gemma Tinney will be competing on John and Jane Pittard's Annapurna
Gemma is looking forward to being part of a team with her father Stuart who is a major influence in her riding career.
“Dad is always there every step of the way. He helps me warm up for each phase and it’s so good having the support there,” she said “I had no idea Dad was going to be on the team so when we found out we were all very excited.”
Gemma competed with success at last year’s Melbourne International 3 Day Event winning the CC1* so she is positively familiar with the stage for the Oceania Championships.
She will next compete in the CIC3* on her mare Annapurna at the Sydney International Horse Trials at Sydney International Equestrian Centre next week.
The Oceania Championships teams will gather for a training session together at Werribee Park on Sunday June 4.
All team riders are looking forward to revisiting the great rivalry with New Zealand and this should make for an enthralling renewal of the 2017 Oceania Championships.
