Equestrian Sports New Zealand have tapped an experienced squad for the upcoming FEI Eventing World Championships at Aachen in August. Members of the bronze medal winning squad will be returning, showcasing the experience that bolsters the Kiwis.
The selected roster is as follows:
- Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man
- Samantha Lissington and Lucas Stone
- Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo
- Tim Price and Falco
- Monica Spencer and Artist
Reserves (in alphabetical order):
- James Avery and Dallas 13
- Jesse Campbell and Speedwell
- Clarke Johnstone and Sparky Lad
- Samantha Lissington and Delarado
- Tayla Mason and Centennial
- Caroline Powell and High Time
- Jonelle Price and Capitaine de Hus Z
- Jonelle Price and Chilli’s Midnight Star
- Tim Price and Vitali
- Tim Price and Jarillo
“This is a targeted event for us and we will be throwing everything at it,” Equestrian Sports New Zealand general manager of high performance Jock Paget said in a press release announcing the team. “It is very exciting to be heading to these championships with three disciplines representing New Zealand. This is an important step for us as a high performance system and developing our programmes as we prepare for future championships and team representation.”
Jock extended a “massive shout out” to all the owners, athletes, grooms HPSNZ funders, sponsors and supporters who continued to help. “There is a lot that needs to be done to hit our target at Aachen but it starts with having an eventing team capable of that . . . which is just what we have.”
The New Zealand team won gold at CHIO Aachen in 2025, for which all members of the team competed; Monica and Clarke each rode their respective World Championships horses for that competition.
“It is always a privilege to be named in a team,” said Tim Price. “It is a big job for any rider to get themselves in a position to be selected. I am lucky to have a lot of horses but nothing is a given – you still have to go and produce some results and earn your spot. I think I have done that and am very happy to be going again.”
Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
“Senor Crocodillo is a horse I thought was coming into his prime at the right time for this particular championships,” Jonelle said of her selection. “We have a really strong partnership. He has taken a bit of time but he has absolute trust in me. He has always been a really solid jumper…that is his forte for sure.”
Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.
“Max is a legend,” U.S.-based Monica Spencer said. “He’s got me onto another New Zealand team and I couldn’t be prouder. Aachen was a great success for the team last year so it is exciting to be heading back.”
“It is always a culmination of a lot of time, effort, planning and hoping,” Clarke Johnstone said. “Everything has to go right. Rocket Man is a gorgeous horse and this has been his target for several years. He is a beautiful guy in every way.” He said the team was very motivated to increase the number of medals won and change the colour from the bronze won in 2022. “We won the Nations Cup team gold at Aachen last year. I love the place and will be doing everything I can to repeat that this year.”
Sam Lissington and Lucas Stone. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Samantha Lissington has been named aboard 10-year-old Lucas Stone for their first World Champs. The world no.7 teamed up with the Finnish-bred gelding in 2025, winning the CCI4*-L at Strzegom late last year and placing seventh in the CCI5* at Luhmuhlen recently.
“Being named for our first World Championships is such a big deal and particularly so on this horse,” said Samantha, who recently had to withdraw Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ from consideration and subsequently drew on her deep bench of hopefuls with Lucas Stone. “We bought him as a 3* horse 18 months ago as a potential backup horse for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. We never could have hoped that his trajectory would give us our first opportunity to wear the fern at the championships. “He has been a real professional and is so up for the job. I am excited to finish our final preparations and head to Aachen.”
As well as New Zealand winning team and individual bronze medals at the 2022 World Championships, it has previously won both team and individual bronzes at the 2010 champs in Kentucky, and team golds in 1990 and 1998, with Blyth Tait on Messiah the winners at Stockholm (1990), Vaughn Jefferis aboard Bounce taking individual at The Hague (1994) and Blyth Tait with Ready Teddy victorious in Rome (1998) where Sir Mark Todd aboard Broadcast News won silver.
More news to come for this year’s FEI Eventing World Championships, so keep it locked right here on EN for the latest. EN’s coverage of these World Championships is supported by Kentucky Performance Products.
