Australian Young Riders Elliot Patterson and Stephanie Spencer have been nominated to represent Australia at the annual Trans-Tasman Young Riders Derby held at the New Zealand Pony and Young Riders Championships at Manfeild Events Centre in Feilding, New Zealand, on 19 - 20 January 2011. Both Australians will compete against the NZL team on borrowed horses at the event.
Queensland based Patterson rides the chestnut gelding Leandro. The rider has been named as one of the members of the Dressage Qld Elite Squad for 2011, and he was nominated for the EQ Junior Sportstar of the Year award. The combination has also been awarded the Emerging FEI Rider of the Year Trophy in addition to the Young Rider Advanced Championship. He's coached by Tor Van Den Berge.
Stephanie Spencer is baed in Western Australia and is coached by Victoria Hamilton. She has trained her bay mare Tallong Coral to Prix St Georges and Intermediare I level. Spencer qualified to compete at the 2010 EFA National Young Rider Dresage Championships which took place 10 - 12 April 2010 in Victoria.
The title of the Trans Tasman Derby is currently retained by New Zealand after their win in January 2010.
More info about this event
Photo © Toni Venhaus
Related Links
Australian Young Riders Selected for 2010 Trans Tasman Derby
Australian Team wins friendly 2007 NZL Trans Tasman Young Rider Derby
Australia wins the 2006 Young Rider Trans Tasman Friendly Dressage Derby