In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by New Zealand 5* event rider Monica Spencer.

Monica started riding at a young age and worked her way up through the Pony Club system. After graduating from Paraparaumu College, Monica started a business selling off-the-track thoroughbreds but eventually left the sales behind to pursue a high-performance career. Monica has since been very successful with her thoroughbred Artist, or Max, having won at the 2019 Puhinui International CCI3*-S in Auckland, the 2020 Puhinui International CCI4*-L, and the 2021 Matamata CIC4*-S. The pair also competed at the 2022 Pratoni World Championships, finishing 21st individually and earning team bronze for New Zealand.

In this episode, Monica discusses topics related to her career and riding for Team New Zealand, including:

• How she started her sales business and what pushed her to pursue high performance.

• The culture surrounding Team New Zealand and how performance-based funding works.

• The similarities and differences with eventing in the US vs New Zealand.

• Dealing with the pressure of coming to the states to compete in 5* events.

• Her plan to compete in the Kentucky 5* and what the next few weeks leading up to it will look like.

Join Monica and Sinead in this exciting conversation about competing in high-performance.