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SHOWCIRCUIT
NEW ZEALAND’S ULTIMATE EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE
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FROM MY DESK
It's been an exciting start to the year; let's hope that 2023 delivers on all your equestrian dreams
and that the imminent recession does not affect equestrian sport too severely.
Samantha Lissington graces our cover, and it is so good to see that she is recovering from her
horrible fall at Blenheim Horse Trials, where she lost Ricker Ridge Ricochet during cross-country.
It's a scenario that is every rider's worst nightmare. Still, Sam has refocused on her long-term goals
for her UK campaign, revealed in this inspiring interview.
From a completely different perspective and equestrian field comes successful author,
photographer and all-around saviour of wild horses, Kelly Wilson. Kelly, Amanda and their mum
have acquired a 120-acre property 12 minutes from Taupo, which they have subdivided so that
they each have a share. Kelly is focusing on providing facilities for wild horse training, clinics and
the Kaimanawa horses that are her passion. We caught up with her while she was side-lined after
fracturing her neck to see what the future holds.
We feature riders from across the spectrum - some younger and some older! The first article in
our new series, 'Where Are They Now?' features eventing legend, Trudy Boyce. Trudy was highly
competitive and won a Silver medal at the World Eventing Champs in 1986 - so what is she up to
now? You will have to read the article to find out - but her career sees her still on the fringes of the
equestrian world.
Caitlin Benzie needs no introduction - she's a fantastic writer for Show Circuit. For those who don't
know her, she's also an accomplished dressage rider, eventer, stunt rider, musical composer and
photographer! So, we thought, why not tell people how our writers are also involved in the sport.
Paige Fitzgerald is one to watch for the future. Coming from a showing background to
demonstrate that stepping into dressage on her lovely ponies was something she was ready for,
Paige won the World Youth Challenge at last year's Bates Nationals. She lets us have a wee sneak
peek behind the gate at the farm and one of her lovely ponies, Greenmoor Euphoria.
No-nonsense farmer Daniel Webb swapped his successful career as a young show jumper for
the Hunterville farm, where he and his wife Chrissy have raised their family and populated their
paddocks with gorgeous, talented youngstock. Daniel has now returned to Grand Prix and will be
one to watch in the coming years as the young horses emerge. Everyone should read this article for
a broader perspective on life with horses.
Cooper Oborn and James Blackwood have purchased the gorgeous Capel Farm in Masterton to
further their equestrian dreams, and what a property it is! We were lucky to take a look soon after
they took possession. Read about their bond forged through horses, the permanent move to New
Zealand for Cooper, and their dressage ambitions.
Again we feature our opinion piece (and it is just that!) in this issue. This deals with concerns
raised via emails from our readers - please take a look and let us know your thoughts.
Christine Weal looks at keeping your horse's training uphill with our writer, Ashleigh Kendall,
who rides her lovely horse PSL Jahzara (Ruby).
Coming into the hot end of summer, please keep in mind that heat stress is a severe condition
and one that must be kept in mind. We spoke to vet Dr Hannah Bowen from Waikato Equine
Veterinary Centre for the signs and recovery options should your horse look remotely stressed.
Lastly, what is your competitive edge? Ashleigh Kendall takes a look at some tips for managing a
great mindset and speaks to Madison Schollum about what she does to keep on track.
Well, that is all for this issue. The next issue encompasses Land Rover Horse of the Year, so until
then, happy riding everyone.
COVER IMAGE:
Samantha Lissington and MR COOKIE TIME
Breeding:Dutch-bred gelding by Casgo out of
Cumarna (Grafiet)
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14
SAMANTHA LISSINGTON
The Time is Right
22
KELLY WILSON
An Inspiring Journey
38
CAITLIN BENZIE
Destined for Horses
46
PAIGE FITZGERALD
Ponies on her Mind
54
Where are They Now?
TRUDY BOYCE
60
DANIEL WEBB
The Gift of Horsemanship
70
COOPER OBORN &
JAMES BLACKWOOD
A Bond Forged Through Horses
IN THIS ISSUE
82
HARRISON LANE
Award Winning Properties
88
IT'S A MATTER OF OPINION
A Personal Viewpoint
90
RETAIL SHOPPING
The Best of the Best
94
CHRISTINE WEAL TRAINING
Developing an Uphill Horse
100
How to Avoid and Treat
HEAT STRESS
104
THE COMPETITIVE EDGE
How to Have the Right Mindset
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Kiwi eventer Samantha Lissington has adjusted to life in England,
positioning herself in a prime spot for a tilt at the New Zealand team for the
Paris Olympics with three potential horses. She also has a team of exciting
young horses and a growing network of supporters and owners backing her
all the way to realise her dream of winning medals for her country.
WORDS - Rebecca Greaves
IMAGES - Nicola Franks - Play Creative
EVENTING spotlight
right
THE TIME IS
Right: Sam with MR COOKIE TIME, a Dutch-bred gelding by Casgo out of
Cumarna (Grafiet). Owned by Rachel Bessell and Team Lissington.
The UK is the mecca of world eventing, and Sam
always felt her path was to move to the Northern Hemisphere
and challenge herself at the elite level of the sport.
Having achieved virtually all there is to do in New Zealand, the
time was right, and Sam moved to England in June 2019. She
based with fellow Kiwi Ginny Thomasen for three months before
moving to long-time Team NZ supporter Joe Giannamore’s yard
in the southwest of England. Her husband, Brayden, joined her
in November of that year. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind three
and half years, from the high of a Burghley completion to the low
of losing a top horse.
Escaping the UK winter, at the time of our interview, Sam was
on holiday in New Zealand for a month. It’s been the summer for
eventing weddings, with Sam filling a crucial role as a bridesmaid
for best friend Ginny Thomasen on New Year’s Eve. She also
attended eventer Maddy Crowe’s wedding in early January.
“We weren’t planning to come home unless Mitch proposed.
He and Ginny have been together seven years, so we’ve been
hanging out for that – we said we were only coming home if
there was a wedding, and it turned out there was!”
The couple flew back to England on January 11 with a firm plan
in mind and the Paris Olympics at the top of the ‘to-do’ list.
SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE - 15
16 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE
It was almost inevitable that Sam would make the leap to the
other side of the world; it was not so much ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’.
“Along the way, all of our top role models have ended up taking this
road - the likes of Mark Todd and Blyth Tait. It was always the path that
was laid out for us. I felt I had finished what I wanted to achieve in
New Zealand and wanted to head to the heart of the eventing world
and have a crack.”
Like many who have gone before her, the reality of life in the UK,
setting up a base and business in an unfamiliar country, hit home
quickly. The grit and determination required can’t be overstated. Sam
admits she quickly started to second-guess herself on the smallest
things.
“In the UK, everything has a different spin on it. In New Zealand,
my brain used to operate on auto-pilot, and I only worried about the
Above - QUANTAS is certainly one to watch and Sam is thrilled
to have the High Flyers Syndicate (Kiko Velge, Jane Burmester,
Annabelle Greville Williams, Jules Humphreys and Team
Lissington) on board.
Opposite page - Bradyen, Sam, Kaitlyn Freeman (rider/groom),
and Fran Dakin (Head Groom) and farm dog, Kiara beginning
the day with a plan.
Brayden often records Sam when she is riding so she can
critique herself.
Left to right - RICKER RIDGE SOOTY GNZ and Team
Lissington; Fran Dakin, Sam and Brayden Lissington, Kaitlyn
Freeman, SENOR CROCODILLO, another German-bred gelding
by Connor out of Marni (Exorbitan XX) owned by Joe and Alex
Giannmore.
SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE - 17
riding. For the first two and a half years here, you are thinking about every
little detail, and it’s the culmination of all the tiny things that’s exhausting.
It means that when the big setbacks happen, which you were expecting,
they’re even harder to cope with.”
“Overall, I am much happier because we are on the other side of that
tough adjustment period. And not having a global pandemic to deal with
has also helped!”
On paper, 2022 was Sam’s most challenging year ever.
The horse who took her around Burghley, 13-year-old Ricker Ridge Rui
(Littorio x Rei-huia Patriotic x Corlando, injured a suspensory ligament last
year, and Sam is unsure what the future holds for him. A horse she’s had
18 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE
since he was three and who made her wildest dreams come true
in completing one of the toughest events in the world, Rui is dear
to Sam.
“He had six weeks of box rest, then went out in the paddock.
He’s due for a scan soon. You never know, but I don’t think he will
return to 5* level. Maybe he could be a Young Rider horse.”
But the most brutal challenge to deal with was the grief of
losing Ricker Ridge Ricochet (Ricky) in a cross-country accident
at Blenheim in September. Sam’s parents (Dale and Nanette
Felton) bred Ricky and Sam brought her over from New
Zealand. The mare had recently stepped up to 4* with solid
results. Sam was knocked out in the accident, sustaining broken
ribs and a lacerated liver, and was later told in the hospital that
her special mare was gone.
“The undulating ground took away so much more of her stride
than I was expecting, and instead of taking off long, which she
would usually do, she put a foot down, and we both flipped.”
Mercifully, Sam says Ricky went quickly and didn’t suffer, but
the grief of losing her has been hard to process. She was offered
counselling immediately after the accident by the British Eventing
Support Trust, which has helped.
“The first thing I had to do was analyse the heck out of it. I
watched the video a bunch of times to work out what I would do
differently next time. It was a good distance, and we landed well
after the first element, but I now know to be more cautious with
the undulating ground on that type of horse.”
The financial reality of the sport means the impact of losing such a
valuable horse was also a consideration. “I feel guilty even saying it,
but she was worth a lot of money, and we owned half of her. You
feel terrible worrying about the financial situation, but it was a huge
hit. Sharon Honiss, who owned the other half of Ricky, has been
Above - The team running through the weekly timetable and
making sure everything is accounted for.
Right - Sam holding MR COOKIE TIME.
amazing and such a rock for us through a challenging time.”
Sam’s recovery has been remarkably good.
“It doesn’t make it any easier, but moving forward, I know the
dream is still alive, and I’m lucky we have developed such a strong
team. I have other horses to look forward to riding this year, and big
dreams and aspirations, though Ricky is still sorely missed.”
When Sam moved to the UK, her long-term goal was to contribute
to winning medals for New Zealand and to stretch herself to see how
far she could take it. That goal remains unchanged, and she’s realistic
about how long it might take.
She loves the personal challenge of eventing and mastering all three
disciplines. “I find that exciting and motivating. You’re always learning,
and you will never know it all. That’s why I love the sport; it isn’t
SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE - 19
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Above and right hand page - Sam believes MR COOKIE TIME, a
Dutch-bred gelding has the potential to go to the top.
easy, and there are so many facets. Add to that trying to stay afloat
and run a business and compete.
“It’s a personal challenge, with the goal of winning medals for New
Zealand. And I knew that would take time. I wasn’t expecting to turn
up and fulfil my dreams straight away.”
Sam says she’s on track to achieve her goal and is heading into
2023 feeling optimistic about the year ahead.
“We feel established, we have a great group of owners, exciting
young horses, and we know what we’re doing and where we’re
going. We’re ready to tackle the next few years to Paris and beyond.
Paris is definitely in mind - if we didn’t have that as a goal, then we’re
wasting team New Zealand’s money,” she says frankly.
“We have to ensure there’s also a pathway for the generations to
come, and that’s why the Olympics is so important for any sport.
Sam started 2022 with a number of potential Paris mounts
and ended the year with three to keep the dream alive.
“We would love to acquire one more at the same level – dreams are
free!” laughs Sam.
Top of the list of her current team of 10 horses is Ricker Ridge
Sooty GNZ (Sooty), a rising 12-year-old gelding bred in New
Zealand by Golden Grove Stud by Caretino out of Quantum Flash
XX, owned by Pip McCarroll and Team Lissington. Sooty won the
3* at Taupo two years in a row before departing for the UK and,
since arriving in England, has given Sam valuable mileage at 4*-Long
level. Notable results include 4th at Pratoni in the 4*-L and 2nd in
the 4*-L in Portugal.
“He’s a real professional in all three phases. We’re finalising the plan
for him this year - whether he has another two 4* -L starts or maybe
does Luhmulen 5*.
Bing Bong (Theo), a German-bred gelding by Cyrkon xx out
of Z-Courouche (Calos DZ), is another rising 12-year-old. He
campaigned in the UK with Jock Paget, who brought the horse with
him when he returned to New Zealand and competed him to 3*
level. Theo’s owners, Joe and Alex Giannamore, brought him back to
the UK, and Sam now has the ride, stepping him up to 4* in 2022
after finishing 2nd at the Millstreet International 3*-L in June.
Rounding out the top string is new mount Lord Seekonig (Charlie),
by Lord Fauntleroy out of Seekonigin (Carpalo), a rising 10-year-old
SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE - 21
22 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE
Below - The master spreedsheet used to organise Team
Lissington.
Right - QUANTAS R (Quantas) is currently competing at 2*
but will step up to 3* next season.
purchased as a backup Paris horse with Sharon Honiss.
“We bought him in July, and he’s quite experienced
already. He ticked a lot of boxes, had already done three
3*-L events, and was ready to step up to Advanced and
crack on.”
Of the up-and-coming horses, Sam is most excited
about the eye-catching grey, rising seven-year-old Quantas
R, a German-bred by Qualito out of Galaxy R (Grey
Top. He is owned by the High Flyers Syndicate (Kiko
Velge, Jane Burmester, Annabelle and Greville Williams,
Jules Humphreys and Team Lissington). Quantas is at 2*
level and will step up to 3* this year, aiming to return
to Le Lion. Ginny (Thomasen) did a superb job piloting
Quantas at Le Lion recently while Sam was injured.
“He just finds everything easy and is intelligent. He has a
massive gallop and feels really exciting.”
Also in the stable are a six-year-old, three
rising five-year-olds, a competition schooler,
and one horse that has just completed her
first 3* and will consolidate at that level
this year.
When looking at potential horses, Sam
says jumping ability is her number one
consideration, followed by movement for
dressage and the usual attributes needed in
an eventer, like stamina.
“As a caveat, we try to only buy commercial
horses. By that, I mean horses that we can
sell for top money as Young Rider prospects
if, for some reason, they don’t make 4* or
5* level. For this reason, they also have to
have a good attitude and be very sound. We
need to make a return on investment for our
owners if they don’t go up the grades.
Her advice to other young riders aspiring
to follow in her footsteps is to work on
resilience and adaptability, being able to
bounce back when things inevitably go
wrong, rather than purely riding ability.
“I think more emphasis should be put on
that aspect to prepare riders before they
come over. The other big thing is horsepower
and making good decisions about what
horses to continue putting time and energy
into. It’s hard, but sometimes it’s better to cut
your losses and move on to something with
more quality.
“We all need our journeyman horses, but
beyond that, we need to focus on horses that
can have a place on New Zealand teams.
That might mean starting with a three-year-
old if that’s what your budget dictates.”
She says that reaching out for help and
advice and utilising the networks around you
regarding horsepower is key to this.
Looking forward, Sam can picture her
ideal 2023 unfolding in front of her.
“At the end of 2023, we would have a solid
team of exciting prospects for Paris, a bunch
of young horses that have stepped up well,
and we would have taken a talented group
to Le Lion, where they proved themselves to
be great prospects for the future. We would
have a growing network of owners and
supporters. That’s the goal.”
Training is mainly done under the watchful
eye of ESNZ trainers, and this year Sam
hopes to work with UK-based Australian