Gloyn saddled with new challenge

She's already made a name for herself as one of the country's most prominent polocrosse players - representing New Zealand in the process.

But this weekend Olivia Gloyn will be swapping the net for a jumping saddle as she takes on her latest challenge.

She'll be one of almost 600 riders and 900 horses taking part in the Fiber Fresh Christmas Classic Showjumping competition, at the National Equestrian Centre, Rapids Rd, Aratiatia. It's the second largest equestrian event in the country.

Gloyn, who started pony club when she was 10 and has competed in New Zealand Equestrian Foundation Show Jumping competitions, balances the show jumping in the off-season of polocrosse.

Gloyn admits the two sports are quite different but says the extra riding improves both sports.

"The more riding in whichever discipline makes you a better rider."

She says she loves the challenge of showjumping.

"You only get once chance. Once the horse knocks a rail you're out," she said.

"It's quite a rush."

She said she's learned a lot from the days at pony club when she didn't have a proper jumping horse, to the two horses she would ride on at this weekend's competition.

"Some horses are better made for it than others."

Her best horse, a 15-year-old she's been working with since he was six, will be her best hope for this weekend.

Ace, or Midway Ace as he is known in the show-jumping ring, and Gloyn have a strong bond now after being together for many years - a bonus that can't be underestimated, according to Gloyn

Gloyn said Ace was special in that he was a quarterhorse and there weren't too many of them in show-jumping. He was relatively quick - but could be a bit of a handful sometimes.

She said good show-jumping horses have to be willing while having a sense of self-preservation. They have to not want to knock the jumps and be easily manoeuvrable

The other horse she'll ride this weekend is a younger one, only in its second season of competing.

It's been a significant year for Gloyn.

In July she represented New Zealand in the Polocrosse World Cup in England. The New Zealand team came fifth out of the eight countries - something which Gloyn said was promising given it was such a young team.

"They give you a pool of horses and you jump on one and go."

Gloyn said the chance to play against the best in the world was an amazing opportunity - and she was hoping to be selected for the next event in South Africa in 2015.

She plans to keep show-jumping and playing polocrosse for as long as she can.