Pony riders arrive safe and sound in South Africa

Emily Fraser, Olivia Robertson, Paxton Conder, and Sam Matthews will compete at the International Classique this weekend on borrowed ponies against South Africa.  All riders are currently competing well at Grand Prix level and were excited about the prospect of competing in South Africa.

Lisa Coupe has accompanied the team as Trainer. Coupe herself has had a successful Showjumping career on ponies through to World Cup level and has previously competed in South Africa as part of the New Zealand Tri Nations Team. 

Coupe is currently completing a post graduate diploma in sport management and feels that training this team givers her the opportunity to give something back into the sport.

The team were greeted by local media at the airport and were interviewed for TV. They will have a couple of days to recover from the long flight and the organising committee have set up a trip to a Lion Park. The competition will run from Thursday through to Sunday.

Below: Paxton Conder, Sam Matthews, Emily Fraser, Olivia Robertson, Lisa Coupe