Above: Annabel Francis and Cherokee NZPH at Takapoto in 2020

Annabel Francis is one of the stars of the New Zealand Jumping scene. Already competing at World Cup level and holding an FEI ranking since January 2020, Annabel has, at a tender age put together an impressive highlights reel, including a win in Europe as well as taking out the Gold Tour Final at Takapoto in 2019, with a final ride that those present will long remember. With the new season just about to get underway, New Zealand Jumping asked Annabel some questions about her background, as well as her plans for the future.

Name: Annabel Francis
Age: 18
Lives: Kinloch, Taupo
Coach: Jeff McVean

At what age did you start riding and who introduced you? I started riding before I could walk pretty much! My mum sat me on a horse before I could even stand up properly. My mum was horsey and did a lot of dressage and was very involved in the racing industry. My sister and I did a lot of showing when we were young and then I got my first show hunter pony and started jumping and fell in love. I did my first showjumping round at Waimate Show when I was about 12 and never looked back so my mum definitely introduced me and she always put me on super ponies which I think has been the biggest impact on my riding.

Can you tell us a bit about the horses you have in work at the moment? Currently, I have eight horses on my team that will compete throughout the year with me. My main horse at the moment is definitely Carado GHP. He’s a little pocket rocket and we suit each other down to the ground! He’s a 15.1 hand 14-year-old grey gelding by Caretino, which is the same sire as Casall ASK and he’s out of Only You V and her breeding is Corrado I x Cassini I. He’s my World Cup horse and we bought him close to Christmas 2018 from Australia. He was born in Europe and imported into Australia as a 3-year-old. He was gelded as a 9-year-old, so still has the mind of a baby sometimes but is the cuddliest and cheekiest horse to have around the yard. He’s just a cool character.

Annabel Francis and Carado GHP

Next is La Quinara she is a 13-Year-old, 16.1 hand bay mare who we imported from Germany in 2017 after I did some shows on her in Europe. She is by Ludger G out of a mare named Queenie, who is by Quality x Longford. She is also another World Cup horse for this season. She’s only ever jumped this height once and that was the Olympic Cup at Horse of the Year in 2020. In Europe she only jumped up to 1.45m so she is still green at the bigger heights but I’m really excited about her. She has the attitude and brain of a lion both inside and outside the ring.

Annabel Francis and La Quinara.

Next is Cherokee NZPH. She is a 9-year-old 16.3 hand grey mare who we bought from New Zealand Performance Horses as a very green but talented 6-year-old. She is by Quool du bois Margot and out of a mare named Tax Blues NZPH, who is by Mr Blue x Fetiche Du Pas. This mare jumped one Grand Prix late in the season as a 7-year-old and then jumped the 1.45m Silver Tour final at Takapoto in 2020 finishing 8th. This is the most exciting horse on my team at the moment. She really is everything you want in a up and coming horse and will jump Grand Prixs and hopefully a small World Cup class this season, I have high hopes for this mare.

Annabel Francis and Cherokee NZPH

Next is LT Holst Elizabeth. She is an 8-year-old (European 7) 17.1 hand brown mare who we bought a couple of months ago from Ewan Mackintosh and the Edgecombe family, so she is very new to my team but also a very exciting addition. She is by Clinton I and out of the Olympic Cup winner in 2020, Lt Holst Andrea who is by Casall ASK x Lavaletto. This mare was imported from Europe inside her mother so her age is a little bit different. She is a very strong-minded mare and with all the talent and attitude to jump the big classes. Hopefully, this season she will jump a few Grand Prix classes.

Next I have three young horses. The first is Indiana Xtreme. She is a 4-year-old 17 hand brown mare who we bought off Xtreme Sport Horses as a rising 2-year-old filly. She is by Corofino II and out of a mare named Ngahiwi Icon who is by Indoctro VDL x Sasquatch. She did her first little training day very early and when she was three, went clear in 85cm her first time indoors and her first time out. This mare has a super brain and jump and is really headed the right way so young in her career.

Next is Gerberoy de st Aubert, a 4-year-old 16.3 hand bay mare who we purchased in Europe and are still waiting to fly her to New Zealand. She is a Selle Francais by Aldo Du Plessis, out of a mare called Chicgirl de st Aubert, who is by Rock n Roll Semilly x Muguet Du Manoir. This mare looks the goods with a tremendous amount of scope and is extremely careful. I am very excited to get her started under the saddle very soon.

Lucky last is my cheeky little blingy chestnut colt Glenara Ciroq. He is a 17-month-old who we purchased in Australia from Glenara Stud just over a year ago. He is by Casall ASK, out of a mare called Glenara KG Cinderella who is by ASB Conquistador x Cristallo I. Cinderella is out of the super mare Cristalline who won team gold for America at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018, ridden by Adrienne Sternlicht of the USA. We bought this little guy inside his mother’s stomach simply because of the world class breeding, his father being 3rd on the world list and I think the grand dam is one of the best mares I have ever seen.

Who are your current stars? My current stars are Carado GHP, Cherokee NZPH and Indiana Xtreme. Carado got me a 4th place in the latest Olympic Cup and also 5th in my first World Cup start. “Cherry” is my most exciting up and coming horse at the moment and will be exciting to watch her progress throughout the coming seasons. Indy is a 4-year-old and really impressed me at her first show. As only a 3-year-old, she jumped 85cm in an indoor arena and didn’t touch a pole or look at anything. She has a super brain and that’s the most important thing when starting a young horse in my opinion.

What do you consider your greatest competitive achievements to date? My greatest achievement in competition so far has to be winning the 1.50m Gold Tour final at Takapoto in 2019 with Carado GHP. I had only had him a few months and this was an amazing win for me at such a young age against the best riders in New Zealand and some riders from Australia. Also, coming 5th in my first World Cup start at Dannevirke in January 2020 and 4th in the Olympic Cup at horse of the year in March 2020. Winning the 1.30m class in Wiesbaden in Germany on La Quinara in 2017.

Presentation for 1.50m Gold Tour final at Takapoto in 2019

How did you fill your time during the COVID-19 lockdown? During the lockdown I didn’t do much, as the horses were on their winter break, but I did work with my 4-year-old (3yo at the time) Indy and I think it really benefited her. I did a lot of exercise and running to keep me fit for bringing the horses back into work.

What are your short and long-term goals? My short-term goals would be getting my baby horses going nicely. In competition, hopefully having four Grand Prix/World Cup horses in the next season or two. I’d love to win the World Cup series and the Olympic Cup class. Long term I’d love to take some horses over to Australia/Europe/America and compete and I’d love to start breeding and selling modern young horses.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given? The best piece of riding advice I’ve been given is “a horse only has a certain amount of jumps in it” Also, “just jump over the fence and jump it clear”.

Can you tell us something about yourself that we don’t know? Some things people don’t know about me would be I really enjoy skiing, exercise and keeping fit, and i really love the breeding side of things, I think it’s really interesting, all the different blood/crosses etc and I’d love to do this when I’m older.

New Zealand Jumping wishes Annabel and her horses all the very best for the upcoming season.