July 2019,

Weekly Wrap 29 July

Todd Calls Time on Incredible Eventing Career

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One of New Zealand’s greatest ever athletes – Sir Mark Todd – has this morning announced his retirement at the Camphire International Horse Trials in Ireland, going out on a high as part of the Kiwi team to win the Nations’ Cup at the event.

The FEI Rider of the 20thCentury can lay claim to a haul of victories including two individual gold medals from the Olympic Games, four Badminton titles, five Burghley crowns and more. He has competed at seven Olympic Games for New Zealand, including two where he rode in both showjumping and eventing; and a run of World Equestrian Games where he was on two gold medal-winning teams.

It had been a very emotional day and Sir Mark said that while it wasn’t easy to make that final decision, he feels hugely relieved to have done so.
He felt he was lucky to have had a career that had many highlights. “I am very fortunate,” he said. “I guess the highlight of my second career was winning Badminton with Land Vision but one of the main highlights has been the people I have been involved with . . .  It has been a real privilege to have been part of this team and this journey.”

Equestrian Sports New Zealand chief executive Dana Kirkpatrick has paid tribute to Sir Mark. “No one has given more to equestrian sport than Sir Mark and the legacy he leaves is an inspiration to not just equestrians but to all New Zealanders. No one will ever forget where it all started with Charisma and the way he has carried on with such dignity and grace to remain at the top of the sport for so long is extraordinary. We take our hats off to his achievements and wish him all the very best but we won’t be letting him escape completely.”

Lewis Clareburt wins Bronze at 2019 FINA World Championships

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Lewis Clareburt came third in the World and won a bronze medal in the Men’s 400 Medley at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju. Lewis swam his fastest, getting a new personal best as well as breaking the New Zealand Open Record. An amazing 2.2 seconds faster; Lewis swam the 400 Medley in 4:12.07 seconds.

Snow Sports NZ Resignation

High Performance Director Ashley Light Announces Resignation from Snow Sports NZ

It is with sadness but positive reflection that we announce that after 12 years as the High Performance Director for Snow Sports NZ Ashley Light has decided to resign from the role.
Ashley has led New Zealand snow sports athletes through three Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games campaigns and with just under three years to prepare for the 2022 Games in Beijing, he believes now is the perfect time to hand over the reins.

Ashley says that he has been inspired by the commitment and drive to achieve excellence of the athletes and their support staff and will continue to be so throughout his life. Ashley took a hands-on approach to his role and he was delighted to be able to attend many major international events and witness first-hand New Zealand athletes winning on the world-stage.
He was particularly honoured to be the Chef de Mission for the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Winter Games teams.
Ashley will leave Snow Sports NZ in mid-August and looks forward to taking up a new role which will keep him closer to his family and home in Queenstown.
The process to recruit a new High Performance Director is now underway.