Selectors have named a squad of six horses and riders to travel to New Zealand in May to compete in the Trans Tasman Challenge as part of the Taupo CCI***.

Not having won a Senior Trans Tasman before, the Australian team broke the drought with a comprehensive win in 2001 at the Adelaide International Horse Trials. Chairman of Selectors Jim Dunn comments that "we always go out to win the Trans Tasman. At the same time use the event as a preparation for horses vying for Olympic selection. We feel we have a good team of younger horses that have performed well in 2002 at major competition and with the depth of talent to select from, it gave us the chance to give these younger horses an opportunity and the experience of an overseas campaign."

Nikki Chapman, Claudia Graham and Tarsha Hammond make their Australian team debut with Hammond in particular eager for a good performance. Tarsha was on the World Games short list in 2002, only to miss out on the trip to England due to a setback to her 12 year-old New Zealand bred gelding.

Atlanta gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer makes a welcome return to the Australian team alongside Megan Jones who was in the victorious Trans Tasman team in 2001. The effervescent Heath Ryan will relish in being the only male rider in the squad. Following on from his leading role with the Dressage team at the 2002 WEG, his confidence will be high that he can take revenge on the Kiwis: Heath was a member of the 1999 team that was narrowly beaten at Taupo by the New Zealanders.

The team of four to contest the Trans Tasman will be named following the vet inspection on Wednesday 14th May. The other two squad members will contest the CCI*** as individuals.