Julie Brougham and John Thompson have been named as New Zealand’s dressage representatives for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring, North Carolina, where they will compete as individuals.

Manawatu-based Brougham, who rode at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, will compete aboard Vom Feinsten, her 15-year-old German-bred chestnut owned by Julie and David Brougham.

The two have enjoyed much success in New Zealand, Australia and Europe. They are New Zealand’s highest dressage combination in the world rankings, with a competition resume that is largely in single digits. Julie and Vom Feinsten (Fidermark— Wellcome, Weltmeyer) also hold the Australian freestyle to music record.

Julie is over the moon to be named. “Our build-up couldn’t have gone better,” she says. “We gave Vom Feinsten six weeks off after the Taupo CDI [New Zealand] in April on the back of an incredibly consistent season.”

Hamilton-based Thompson has been named aboard JHT Antonello, owned by Thompson, the horse who competed at the 2012 London Olympic Games with Louisa Hill and with whom he was reserve for the Rio Games.

The 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Anamour—Flair, Winnebago) was bred by Hill’s sister Anna Simson.  Antonello and John teamed up in 2015 and quickly made their mark on the national scene, winning national crowns. They have been first or second in six of their seven starts this year.

“I am ecstatic,” he said. “Words can’t explain that moment when you’ve been planning to do something your whole life and you all of a sudden realize you’re no longer planning, you’re doing.”

It had taken him a while to bounce back from not making the Rio Olympics, but once he re-set his sights on WEG he was off again. He has huge respect for his sport and those behind it who were all working so hard to help the two riders raise the necessary funds for the trip.

“It makes me so proud and means even more to be putting on that silver fern,” he said. “This is our sport. Selection and support like this gives so much more context to what we do.”