Equestrian: Rotorua pair eye Olympic selection | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Money can't buy an Olympic medal but two Rotorua equestrians are hoping it can get them on track to achieving that.

Ottilie Upshall and Debbie Barke are raising money to try to get to Australia next year for one of three Olympic selection events. The other two are in New Zealand but, to have a better chance of reaching the standard, they need to compete in Sydney.

The pair are members of the Rotorua Dressage Club and, on Friday, November 25, it is holding a Monster Auction Night at the Pig & Whistle. The pair need to raise a minimum of $15,000, almost $10,000 of which is needed to transport their horses.

"It's a possibility," Upshall said of their chances of being selected. "It's demanding what they want us to achieve. They have set the bar deliberately high as they don't want to fund a team that's not going to do well. It's higher than the Olympic standards. The bar is there and we're working towards it."

The two hope to compete at the Sydney CDI, an international dressage competition, next year. At the corresponding event this year, four Olympic berths were secured for a New Zealand team. If there are not enough equestrians to complete the team, individuals will still be able to travel to London to compete.

"It's not an all-or-nothing situation," Upshall said.

"The only other alternative for us would be to go to Europe and compete there but that's a little too much."

Upshall's horse is called Tama Park Bradman, or Mr B, and during the past six years they have worked through the dressage grades together. In 2009, they represented New Zealand in Sydney at Prix St George (International) level. Since then, they have made the transition to Grand Prix and are on the Dressage NZ B Squad.

Barke has ridden Mzungu for 10 years since he was five and said reaching the Olympics would be a goal realised.

"This is what we've worked the past 10 years for as competition riders," she said.

"Training horses is a huge part of it and a daily part of it. It's all encompassing and the end goal is to represent your country."

Last year, Mzungu, who has won three Horse of the Year titles and an advanced national title, became lame and the duo missed a lot of competition. Mrs Barke hopes they can more than make up for it this season.

"Sydney for me is my chance for the New Zealand team to not overlook us. It's really important for me."

The Monster Auction Night is at the Pig & Whistle on Friday, November 25.