There was a lot of time and effort put into the selection of this New Zealand team, by myself and co selector Alastair Cumming.

We took some chances with the mix of players that we selected, however not one player let us down on this tour. This was a cut-throat tournament with every decision made regarding horses and players crucial to our success with very little room for error.

We had an excellent manager in Anne Mickell, and outstanding leadership from Captain Sue Gower and vice captain Russell Tye. Our travelling reserves Tony Schrafft and Laura Dempster supported the team in every way and their commitment to the cause was well noted as outstanding. We also had tremendous support from Peter Mickell, Karl Mullany, Flo Cumming - who worked tirelessly with her equi massage machine - and Beth Peaker. Also, towards the end of the tour Kane Mathews, and his good friend Robbie Hitchcock. Robbie Hitchcock’s advice on the condition and welfare of the horses was invaluable. What a luxury to have someone of his calibre on this tour. Not to mention Kerri Duff and her video. This was an excellent team effort from everyone involved. I cannot thank Anne Mickell and Alastair Cumming enough.

There is no doubt in my mind that all these supporters and some I haven’t mentioned were crucial to the successes of this tour. To all of you who helped out in some way, we say a huge “thank you.”
We had an outstanding horse coordinator Peter alias Tumbles. I don’t think we drew the best pool of horses but we made the most of what we had. I also think we had some umpiring decisions that went against us at crucial times. Our New Zealand umpire Bruce Hundley was in my opinion the best umpire over there. It was a shame he wasn’t able to umpire our games.

It will require a lot of hard work and dedication from coaches and players if we are going to wrestle the number one title off the Australians. We were very close with our men but the gap with our women was too great. We will need to close this gap before the next world cup in the UK in 2011. I have no doubt that this can be done. We have the players and the potential.

We cannot discount the huge advantage Australia has playing at home as they are the masters of making the most of it. However this advantage will now be shifted to the UK team, and I believe they will be a big threat on their home soil.

Australia is to be congratulated on holding this Quad Series; it will be interesting to see if any other country can do as well as they have done.

In closing I would like to congratulate the players in the New Zealand team. It was a tremendous effort, and a privilege to be their coach.

New Zealand is now the number two nation in the world, South Africa number three and the United Kingdom Number Four.

Errol Gloyn (Team Coach)