Jesse Campbell to make his Olympic debut with New Zealand eventing team

The 32-year-old rider, who is based near Ramsbury, along with his wife and fellow eventer Georgie Campbell, has flown out to Tokyo with his horse Diachello.

Jesse and Georgie only recently tied the knot, at Ramsbury's Holy Cross Church last December.

He'll be the one to watch on Friday - and he has the backing of many across both the South West as well as in his native New Zealand.

Having moved over to England in 2010, Campbell has learned from two of the best in the sport in the form of Wanborough-based Mark Todd and fellow Kiwi Andrew Nicholson, who is based in Marlborough.

“It’s always a huge honour and privilege to represent my country, and I’m humbled to have been selected to represent New Zealand’s Olympic Eventing team in Tokyo,” said Jesse, who grew up in Waikato.

“The NZ Eventing team has an incredible legacy and it has been a childhood dream of mine to ride at an Olympic Games."

Campbell’s team-mates include leading husband-and-wife duo Tim and Jonelle Price, who also live in Wiltshire, while Bundy Philpott – who is based in New Zealand - will be the travelling reserve.

Jesse

New Zealand has been a formidable force in the sport of eventing over the years, especially during the era of Mark Todd, Blyth Tait and Andrew Nicholson, and Jesse says he is proud to follow in their illustrious footsteps.

Following the news of his selection, Jesse expressed his thanks to his wife Georgie and to his parents, for all their support and encouragement, as well as Diachello’s owner, Kent Gardner.

“I wouldn’t be in this amazing position without Kent,” he said.

“He backed me when I said this was my goal back in 2017, and he has been the most supportive owner any rider could wish for.”

Jesse and the 11-year-old Diachello are certainly ones to watch when the action begins at the Olympic Equestrian Park on Friday (July 30.)

The pair finished in 11th place in the Kentucky 5* event in April, then finished third in the open intermediate at Nunney International before having a confidence-boosting final prep run at Keysoe International earlier this month.

New Zealand has twice won team gold at the eventing World Championships, and won three individual Olympic eventing titles. They’ll be hoping to add further medals to their tally in Tokyo, and with such a strong team of selected riders they could well achieve that goal.

For Jesse, his Olympic selection is not only the realisation of his lifelong ambition, it’s also the chance for him to shine on the biggest stage of all.

“I can’t wait to ride at Tokyo and do my country and team proud,” he said.