The team will compete against New Zealand in the CCI2 at Christchurch, New Zealand from April 23-25.

The team is made up of riders up to 21 years of age and is seen as a forerunner to other international team competitions and ultimately Olympic Games selection.

Other team members are Lauren Balcomb of NSW, Crystal Conning of Victoria and Elizabeth Moore of WA.

Eventing Canterbury will host this year’s New Zealand South Island FEI Three Day Event, which will incorporate the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge, the first ever international event to be staged at the Sheds New Zealand National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, near Christchurch.

The Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge has been held bi-annually since 1996 but this is the first year the event has been held in Christchurch.

The challenge sees the best New Zealand young riders take on the best young riders in Australia in a CCI2 competition.

It will be run as part of the annual South Island Three Day Event.

Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

This event has its roots as a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding. The dressage phase (held first) comprises an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed 20m x 60m arena.

The next phase, cross-country, requires both horse and rider to be in excellent physical shape and to be brave and trusting of each other.

This phase consists of approximately 30-40 fixed jumps placed on a long outdoor course.

These fences consist of solidly built natural objects, like logs and stone walls, as well as various obstacles such as water, ditches, drops and banks and combinations including several jumping efforts based on objects that would commonly occur in the countryside.

The final phase of show jumping tests the technical jumping skills of the horse and rider, including suppleness, obedience, fitness and athleticism.

In this phase, 12-20 fences are set up in an arena.

These fences are typically brightly coloured and consist of elements that can be knocked down, unlike cross-country obstacles.