One of the inaugural Perago Trust recipients in 2013 Jesse Campbell has won 21 major New Zealand and International Eventing titles and sport awards. From a young age Jesse was passionate, determined and hardworking, he attended St. Peter’s School Cambridge with a five year General Excellence Scholarship, winning numerous awards for leadership and sport. Below is his update sent to the Trust before his Badminton debut in 2015:
I was the first recipient of a Perago Trust grant. The grant allowed me to purchase a pair of riding boots. At the time this was a huge asset, more importantly it gave me a tremendous emotional boost knowing my home-town was backing my Olympic endeavor. Several years have passed since then and I write to give you a brief update on where I am at now.
In January 2015 I was delighted to be selected again, as one of eight riders on the New Zealand Eventing High Performance squad, a great honor given three riders from 2014 did not make the cut and no new riders were brought onto the squad. I am tucked into the Accelerator part of our High Performance squad, as my 3Star horse ‘Kaapachino’ was sidelined for the last year with an injury, and my young horse ‘Amsterdam’ is to gain his Olympic qualification this year.
On May 6th Kaapachino and I compete at the 2015 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the world’s premier and toughest 4Star event. Kaapachino’s outstanding results from 2013 gave us automatic entry to Badminton. (Badminton officials look at result from the previous two years) 25 riders are waitlisted. Our preparation is going well, over the past three months I have lost 12 kilos through a strict diet and fitness regime, I need to be light and very fit. Kaapachino’s fitness is also right on track.
I encourage you all to LIKE my Jesse Campbell Eventing Facebook page and show your support for Kaapachino, my wonderful Waikato bred thoroughbred as he steps up to the Badminton super elite. He is not the most gifted horse, but he has tremendous heart. He’s a legend to have come this far!
Over the past two years I have added three new horses to my team: Cleveland, Talking Point and Elmo, which has been no mean feat for my parents and me. We have taken huge risks to get this close to Olympic team selection.
Although those Perago Trust riding boots have worn out, I hope you take pride in knowing Perago Trust rides with me as I push for this next big 4 Star Badminton challenge. Every little bit of support has been appreciated.
Warmest
regards
Jesse
Campbell
NZ
High Performance Athlete
www.jessecampbelleventing.com
*unfortunately Jesse had to withdraw Kaapachino from Badminton in 2015 due to a bacterial infection. The pair went on to make their 4 star debut a few months later at Luhmuhlen,followed by a win at the Mittstreet/Drishane Castle International CIC***
