Anya Noble has announced her withdrawal from the New Zealander Under 25 squad and the retirement of her family's Grand Prix horse Airthrey Highlander.
Owned by Linda Moughan, the 15-year old Clydesdale crossbred Airthrey Highlander is by Glendevon Commander out of About Time (by Coober Prince).
Bill began competing the chunky dark bay gelding at international Grand Prix level in 2011 and the horse has participated non-stop at the country's two CDI events in Hastings and Feilding from 2011 till 2016.
Anya took over the ride on Highlander two years ago and won two New Zealand National Championship titles with him; this year the Under 25 Champion's title. Noble made it on the New Zealand Under 25 squad this year but she has now announced she will be withdrawing as a combination and retiring Highlander from sport.
"The time is right," Noble told the Dressage NZ bulletin. "He has been competing in Grand Prix dressage for seven years now and is a Dressage Horse of the Year title holder with my dad, Bill. He has nothing more to prove. I need more time to concentrate on my studies at Waikato University. I'm just about to complete the first year of research for my masters degree in neuroscience and next year I must complete my thesis. Perhaps I may then consider a Ph.D."
Source: Dressage NZ Bulletin - Photo © Libby Law
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