Monica and Max Aiming for Olympic Berth

[Wandering Eyes]

Event rider Monica Spencer has always been a big fan of Thoroughbreds due to their speed, stamina and willingness which makes them great sport horse prospects.

Her current stable star Artist has these traits in spades and the Taupo-based horsewoman has been named on the long list to represent New Zealand in the 2024 Paris Olympics Eventing Team with the 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding.

By Guillotine, ‘Max’ was bred by Windsor Park Stud and is out of the Group Two placed Volksraad mare Maxamore.

He first caught Monica’s eye when making his competition debut and she approached his then owner Polly Schewerdt to find out more about the striking bay who made an instant impression.

“I spotted Max at his first show when he was a four-year-old,” Spencer explained. “Polly had purchased him from EventStars as a three-year-old and his conformation and movement really stood out to me.

“I approached Polly and she let me have a ride on him and it was love at first sight. I bought him soon after.”

Spencer and Max were quick to strike up a successful partnership and they moved their way through the grades. Max was awarded the NZTBA Ready Teddy Trophy for best performed Thoroughbred at the Matamata Horse Trials in 2022 and the duo went on that year to make their debut for the New Zealand team at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy.

“He’s always been a bit of a quiet achiever,” Spencer said. “He has been winning at every level on the way up the grades and he’s been an absolute pleasure to produce. 

“He isn’t naturally brave and it melts my heart the things this horse will do with complete trust in me.” 

While most Kiwi eventers follow the well-paved path to England to further their careers, Spencer opted to head to America last year as she felt it offered a better opportunity to develop her brand with the opportunities available.

It was no easy feat to get to the United States with Spencer and Max first flying to Australia before boarding a cargo plane and spending 37 hours in transit before touching down in Chicago. They then trucked for 15 hours to Pennsylvania.

After acclimatising at some low-key dressage and showjumping events they stepped up and contested the Plantation Field International CCI4*-S, finishing fourth after battling the elements while Tropical Storm Ophelia raged on. Of the 39 entries only six completed the event, a testament to the duo’s determination and skill.

They then headed to the Maryland 5 Star in October when they finished seventh after a dazzling display on the cross-country course gaining them a firm fan base.

Spencer then flew home to New Zealand to compete her Taupo-based team of horses at the early Summer events while Max was left to enjoy some down time while spelling in Virginia.

Spencer will return this month and join Max in Florida and continue to work their way towards selection for the Olympic team. She will have an additional three horses travel from New Zealand to join her in February.

“Paris has been in our sights for the last two years and we have been working towards selection since the world championships in Pratoni,” Spencer said.

 “I hope to put in some good performances early this year and keep training hard so we can be at the top of our game and ready for selection.

Spencer has a strong affinity with Thoroughbreds having produced them throughout her career and believes horses like Max will drive demand for thoroughbreds as sport horses both in both New Zealand and abroad.

“I have had lots of good Thoroughbreds over the years and I’m a huge fan of the breed,” she said.

“I love their speed, their stamina and how trainable they are. Thoroughbreds that move well and are good jumpers really are the ultimate event horse. They are a pleasure to produce and it’s incredible how they take to a completely new career.

“I think it’s awesome for the racing industry to have Thoroughbreds at the top of the sport. The fact that they can do eventing among other disciplines as a second career shows how versatile Thoroughbreds are.  

“I’ve had so many people overseas admire Max and question me with great interest about New Zealand Thoroughbreds and how to source them.”  

The Paris team is named in late June and Spencer has the silver fern firmly in her sights. Till then she and Max will keep doing what they do best and hope further solid performances gain them a spot on the Olympic squad.

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