Katie Wilson (15) and Stella Bowles (16) are part of a group of 10 that will to travel to France in July, alongside Queenstown coach Lucy Olphert.
The St Hilda’s Collegiate duo will link with highly rated coach Michel Ismalun and compete in La Boule on the prestigious Atlantic Summer Tour.
"I’ve known these girls for the last 12-18 months," Olphert said.
"They’ve always come across as very hard-working and driven young ladies.
"The riders need to submit a brief riding CV, a video and two referees. What I’m looking for on those applications is that they’re driven, they’re hard-working, they’ve got a good attitude.
"What’s the quote? ‘Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard’.
"Talent’s a bonus, but if you’ve got a really good attitude, that’s going to take you even further."
Olphert has been operating tours through her showjumping business for the past decade — although they have been on hold since the beginning of the pandemic.
A top showjumper herself, she had a similar experience when she was 14.
She then moved to Europe as an 18-year-old for several years — meeting Ismalun in the process.
Having had those opportunities and developed many important connections, she now looked to give the next wave of riders a "foot in the door" to the international experience.
Wilson, Bowles and the other eight riders — five from New Zealand, two from Canada and one from the United Kingdom — would have a day to adjust.
Then Olphert admitted they would be "thrown straight in the deep end".
They would have three days to train and get used to the borrowed horses they would ride, before competing in La Boule.
She would act as a support person more than as a coach, although would be there to offer assistance — and may compete herself, if the opportunity arises.
"Europe is predominantly considered to be the hub of equestrian sport, especially dressage and showjumping," Olphert said.
"I think for these riders, to go over and experience the level of competition and training, I think it’s going to be a valuable experience.
"Our trainer, Michel Ismalun, he’s been a very successful rider back in his day. These days he’s a world-renowned course designer. He builds all over the world and he has a wealth of experience.
"I think what’s unique about this opportunity is most of the time riders are getting coached by a coach who’s been a rider. But Michel has that extra string to his bow of being a course designer. So he understands what’s behind riding the horse, especially because he’s building [the courses].
"[He’s] giving them that insight into the tips and tricks of riding a course."
Alongside the training and competition, she hoped the riders would be able to make as many connections as possible, while also experiencing as much of France as they could.
