The 30-year-old and his nine-year-old mare Caltango will represent the country in teams and individual competitions overseas for the first time.

While Clarke rode on borrowed horses in the trans-Tasman team’s series in New Zealand in 2008, his selection in the four-man team announced this week also included entry for him and his mount in rich individual events.

His selection comes after finishing third in a series of World Cup qualifying events around Australia this summer while Caltango was judged the leading horse.

Woolsthorpe’s Jamie Kermond won the series but he is unavailable for the New Zealand trip, riding in America.

Clarke said he was thrilled to be selected and the tour could open up a shot at contesting Australia’s Olympics team trials in Europe in May.

“It’s a good thing to do,” Clarke said of the Trans Tasman tour. “They (the selectors) see how you cope in a team environment and over the big jumps outside Australia.

“It definitely puts you in their thinking.” The accountant said he accepted his selection for New Zealand after getting the green light from his employer Sinclair Wilson.

“They’ve been fantastic. I really appreciate their backing,” he said.

He said the time needed away from work and the cost involved in contesting the Olympics trial in May was considerable.

But he revealed the rich rewards on offer in New Zealand could help clear the financial hurdle if he chased selection for the London Games.

He will contest the opening of the two-event Trans Tasman series at Hawera from March 2-3 before heading to Hastings where the series concludes between March 14-18. He will also compete individually at Hastings in the New Zealand Horse of the Year Grand Prix, with $40,000 to the winner and $20,000 for second.

“They have quality horses in New Zealand. It will definitely be similar standard to what we have been competing in here but the New Zealanders are a pretty competitive bunch,” Clarke said.

“You want to represent your country in one way or another. You definitely want to go, this makes all the work worthwhile.”

Clarke’s wife Ingrid will also make the trip to New Zealand to contest individual events.