Suggestion for N.Z. show jumping

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33442, 25 January 1974, Page 18

Suggestion for N.Z. show jumping

Coaching by a professional English rider in New Zealand followed by six months competition in Europe would do wonders for New Zealand show jumping, said the British equestrian. Lieutenant - Colonel 11. Al. Llewellyn, in Christchurch yesterday.

' Remembered as the rider of Foxhunter who captured Britain’s only gold medal at Helsinki in 1952. Colonel Llewellyn has for many years been the chairman of selectors of the British equestrian team’s show jumpers. In Christchurch he is a guest at the Commonwealth games. “New Zealanders are traditionally fine horsemen and we know you breed marvellous horses here so why not do them the honour they deserve,” he said. Colonel Llewellyn admitted that moving animals about the world was a costly undertaking but suggested that New Zealand’s newly created Ministry of Sport might follow the' example of the British Sports Council which made grants covering twothirds of the equestrian team’s travelling and accommodation expenses when it went overseas.

Colonel Llewellyn, who is the chairman of the Sports Council for Wales — which provided the Welsh team at the Games with two-thirds of its travelling expenses — thinks the Welshmen have some good chances of gaining medals in Christchurch this week, particularly in the 110 metres hurdles, long jump, and weightlifting events.

“So often in the Commonwealth Games athletes who have not really been fully exposed to international competition can produce surprising results. You get athletes who reach their optimum between the Olympics and when this happens interesting results can emerge,” he said. Colonel Llewellyn will be in Christchurch until February 4. He will visit the Horse of the Year Show run by the Horse Society at Rangiora.