Whakatāne horse show competitor Donna Brent-Jones is set to compete against Australia's best with her horse, Breeze, provided she can fundraise the nearly $18,500 needed to take part.

Late last year, Brent-Jones competed at the New Zealand Show Horse Council national championships in Taupō and excelled, earning selection to compete at the prestigious Show Horse Council Grand Nationals in Sydney.

Stoked to have been selected, Brent-Jones doesn’t want to let this opportunity slip.

“It is an absolute dream come true to represent New Zealand. I am just a normal kiwi, with a full-time job and a family. I have had Breeze since she was a foal; we have worked our way up through the grades together, culminating in achieving the goal I set for us six years ago, to qualify and compete in the Saddle Hunter Rising Star Class at the Horse of the Year show in March 2024.

To qualify for Horse of the Year meant a bit of travelling around as they have to compete at A&P Shows around the country.

“There is an attendance part of the qualification, and the second part is based on winning/placings throughout the show season. Breeze and I qualified to compete there in 2020, 2021 and 2023.

“Sadly, the first two years were cancelled due to Covid, and the 2023 show was called off due to cyclone Gabrielle, as Horse of the Year is held in Hastings in early March.”

This was the last chance for Brent-Jones and Breeze to qualify and compete in the Rising Star class.

“Only novice horses are able to compete in the rising star classes. Breeze only had one year left as a novice horse, so when we finally got to Horse of the Year in 2024, it was our last chance to achieve our goal. To win it was a dream come true."

In November, they attended the New Zealand Show Horse Council Show in Taupō and gained their qualification to compete in Sydney. There are only two “golden tickets” to be won in each section of the competition.

Brent-Jones is now seeking sponsorship or donations to help with her travel costs, or she will be unable to attend.

“To compete at the Show Horse Council Grand Nationals in Sydney is an extraordinary opportunity, however, we are going to need help to make it a reality.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Breeze and I to represent New Zealand.

“Although we would be competing as part of a team and representing New Zealand, like a lot of New Zealand athletes, the trip has to be fully funded by me.

The approximate cost of this is $18,500, the majority of this would be to cover Breeze’s flight to Sydney and home again.”

Brent-Jones said the Grand National Championships had evolved into a highly acclaimed event that brought together the best Show Horse Council horses and ponies from across Australasia.

“It extends over four days and three nights with three UK judges providing a fresh opinion to those competing.”

Brent-Jones expects some difficult competition in her classes.
“There will be approximately 30 horses in our class, some of the best hunter hacks in Australasia.

“Some of these horses will have been bred specifically with this show in mind.”
Her horse has a unique story making it even more special if competing in Sydney eventuates.

“Breeze is an Irish sports horse. Her father was imported from Ireland and her mother was a police horse in Australia. Breeze was bred in Ranfurly by Tracy Crossan at Trevalda Irish Sports horses.

“I do not know if there has ever been an Irish horse in the competition in the past, but I do know Breeze is the first New Zealand-bred Irish horse to compete there, making it even more special.

“Showing is very subjective; the horses are judged on their confirmation, their temperament and their performance, however, there is also an element of judge’s preference.

“The top 10 horses are ridden by one of the judges, so Breeze’s even temperament and her rideability will be paramount. It also helps that she has great conformation, and she looks like a Barbie horse.

“I have never represented New Zealand before, which is why this means so much and is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I bought Breeze when she was 8 months old; we have built a very strong partnership, and I have taught her everything she knows.

“It was great to see all my hard work and dedication pay off when we won the rising star title. To now be given this opportunity, I hope that my story inspires people to think big, set a goal and go for it.”

Anyone wanting to donate can head to Givealittle and find the Get Breeze to Sydney page.