Young Canterbury riders in U21 NZ team

Bonnie Farrant and her horse Kaipara Dior (Darcy) have been selected in the New Zealand young...
Bonnie Farrant and her horse Kaipara Dior (Darcy) have been selected in the New Zealand young riders team to compete against Australia. Photo supplied.
Two young Canterbury riders have been selected to represent New Zealand in equestrian next month.

Rangiora's Bonnie Farrant and former Rakaia rider Madison Crowe have been selected in the under-21 New Zealand young riders team to compete in the Oceania team championships against Australia at the Melbourne International Horse Trials from June 5-9.

The New Zealand and Australian young rider teams last met in Christchurch in 2012, with New Zealand coming out on top.

New Zealand also won back-to-back in Australia at Camperdown in 2009 and Christchurch in 2010.

''The team [members] are eager to replicate that outstanding achievement and to continue New Zealand's winning streak,'' Bonnie (18) said.

Wearing the silver fern has been a dream for Bonnie since the age of 9.

While she was born on Australia's Gold Coast, she came to New Zealand with her parents when she was 9 years old and received her first pony soon after.

Bonnie said her proudest achievement so far was winning the national junior (under-18) rider title in 2012 on her own mare she has brought up through the grades herself, Kaipara Dior, known as Darcy and now 8 years old.

Bonnie was now studying in her first year of an environmental science degree at Massey University.

Bonnie said she was able to juggle horses and studies, by keeping her two horses at the Massey University Equestrian Centre.

Fundraising assistance can be explored at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/BonnieFarrant.

While originally from Rakaia, Madison was now based in Waikato under the guidance of former Olympian Clarke Johnstone.

With her father a polo player, it is no surprise that Madison has been riding since she was 6 years old.

This year she won the New Zealand one-day eventing young rider title. Madison was in her third year studying for a commerce degree by distance from Lincoln University.

However, she intended to return to Lincoln full time in July to finish her degree.

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