The New Zealand Equestrian Federation has appointed Wendy Hamerton as Dressage chef d’equipe for the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Hamerton is also the sport manager for dressage.
“I am very humbled to be asked to take this role,” she said. “I have never been to a WEG before but have been chef for three Olympic qualifiers.” Hamerton says potentially, 2018 could produce the strongest dressage team New Zealand has ever sent to an event.
“We have a core bunch in the high performance squad who are very consistent and now well established. They all have international experience and are potentially on another upward curve. Any nation who can field three horses with the potential to produce 70% – plus or minus – should be well respected internationally.”
Hamerton would love to have four combinations qualify but at a likely cost of around $100,000 a horse, the budget is already a big ask. “We have fundraising plans in the pot and have been raising awareness. We are hoping to support not just the trip to WEG but also help the riders with their campaigns – it is a good investment.”
New Zealand last had a dressage team at WEG in 1998 when they placed 18th out of 18. “They were pioneers and did it on a shoe string,” says Hamerton. “It’s so different now. Certainly riders who can be based in Europe with constant training and access to competitions have a real advantage.
“We will have to use a bit of Kiwi ingenuity to up our game wherever we can but there is nothing stopping New Zealand riders training good horses well to be able to achieve 70% . . . and they have already shown that. Competition improves the confidence of riders and strategies and techniques. There is nothing like being in the mix with the best in the world to up your game and see what is really achievable.”
Hamerton said it was a privilege to be involved at top level.
“I have been involved in the sport for as long as I can remember, in one way or another. I am very excited to be going to WEG as a first-timer. We have got almost a year to work with the riders, but I have known them all for a long time. It’s like being a big camp mum really.”
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