Louisa Hill

Louisa Hill was the first Kiwi to be named for the New Zealand equestrian tilt at the London Olympics. 

It will be the second time this 50-year-old Auckland dressage rider has ridden at an Olympic Games – her first was at the 2004 Athens Olympics aboard the Hanovarian mare Gabana, a horse she bred herself. 

This time Hill heads offshore with Hanovarian Bates Antonello, a 10-year-old who is by Anamour and bred by her sister Anna. Hill has had Antonello for six years. He has already caught the eye of several high-ranking dressage aficionados offshore, who were keen to buy the horse, but Hill has her sights set on London. 

Hill has competed many times for New Zealand in Australia and over the years has won every New Zealand dressage title and championship – some several times over. 

She started riding at just four years old and while she has also done well at eventing, it is dressage where she has found her niche. 

She is only the second Kiwi to ride at the Olympics in dressage for New Zealand.