Issue 19 | February 2018
Bates & NZ Dressage Nationals
- we preview this wonderful event
THE YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE
Jonny Hilberath - Masterclass part three
NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
EDITORIAL
FROM THE EDITOR GO TO THE DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN FACEBOOK PAGE AND SUBMIT YOUR TRAINING OR MAINTENANCE QUESTIONS. Each month one question will be selected and sent to one of our participating coaches/experts to answer for you! The winning question will receive a bag of Mitavite feed. Thank you Mitavite for supporting Dressage NZ.
The DressageNZ Bulletin is the official magazine of Dressage NZ - a discipline of Equestrian Sports NZ
Editor: Wendy Hamerton E: dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz Design and Production: www.snaffledesign.co.nz Graphic Design Sales & Advertising: Sarah Gray Email: sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz Copyright © Snaffle Design and Dressage NZ 2017
WELCOME TO THE NINETEENTH ISSUE OF THE DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN It’s always interesting having the time to wander around an event with no timetable to adhere to, no demanding official duties and just be able take the time to observe and chat with a variety of stakeholders. Aside from sponsors, there are three main interest groups. Organisers, riders and supporters/ spectators. Let’s start with organisers. What most participants see is the hive of activity and a helpful friendly face in the office when they come in with a query. What they haven’t seen is the hours and hours of volunteer preparation leading up to the event. They don’t see the 6am starts at the events or the 9 or 10pm finish. Little thought is probably given that these are the volunteers who are legally responsible for Health & Safety matters, the financial viability of the event on behalf of their dressage group and Dressage NZ /ESNZ, for making sure all rules are adhered to, and dealing with all the unforeseen incidents, some minor, some serious, and for delivering up an event that riders can enjoy with little or no responsibility for any of the above. They do it to the very highest standard they can manage given the limitations they face of manpower and finances. Any significant financial profit is unlikely. But these people volunteer because they have a passion for the sport. Next let’s think about the competitors. There are a number who also are part of the organising committee, but these are definitely in the minority. I noted one competitor at a recent event harrowing surfaces, working in the office, and this in addition to working a full time job and being a huge part of the organisation in the lead up. I hear you say delegate? In principle that’s a great idea but it is then useful to know who can be delegated which tasks and what they can contribute. Entrants for the recent national championships had the possibility to advise the OC of how they could assist, or provide a name to contact. Of 180 riders, there were 13 responses. Two had a large team of horses so would have limited time, but they did offer. For the organisers, most go home never wishing to organise another event. For riders, many go home inspired, wanting more high quality events. They have great ideas about dates and venues. My advice is get along to your local dressage group, get involved, become more au fait with event organisation and be prepared to take some responsibility. Subject to being able to comply with all legal requirements and ESNZ & Dressage rules, and taking financial responsibility, there are few barriers to running events. More events mean more people involved. Will you take up the challenge?
Cover Image: Nicola Essex and Craighaven Allanon Photo Credit: Libby Law Back Image: Jeanette Trevelyan Photo Credit: Barbara Thomson
Wendy. Wendy Hamerton
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CONTENTS
4
6
14
20
CONTENT
4
6
NATIONALS PREVIEW
NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
We look into what it means to have a twenty year relationship with Bates Saddles...
Who won what in the lead up to HOY and Nationals...
20
24
JONNY HILBERATH
THE YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE
Part three: Joining up the dots with Jonny at Equitana...
with FEI 3* judge Linda Warren-Davey...
32
10
18
INTERISLAND YOUNG RIDER CHALLENGE
MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Coverage from part one, taken out by Team South Island...
What it means to be 'in front of the leg'...
34
36
SERIES LEADERBOARDS
WHAT'S ON
Who's in the lead and who's on the way up?...
The calender of upcoming events on the NZL dressage circuit...
NATIONAL EVENT PREVIEW
David Jones-Parry presents Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten with a Bates Innova at the 2015 National Dressage Championships.
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NATIONAL EVENT PREVIEW
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATES SADDLES NZ DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS Article by Wendy Hamerton Photo by Libby Law
Traditionally a 20th anniversary was celebrated with china but in modern days, the official gift is platinum. But at the 2018 Bates Saddles NZ Championships it will all be gold and purple.
In his welcoming message, Ron Bates Managing Director of Bates Saddles in Australia says “we are delighted to celebrate the 20th year of our relationship with Dressage New Zealand, in association with our distributor Weatherbeeta New Zealand. We have a well established relationship with New Zealand Dressage riders, and are thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of support for this wonderful event. I would personally like to take this opportunity to wish every horse and rider combination the best of luck and extend a very warm thanks to all of the officials and organisers, who together have worked tirelessly to ensure an event of this calibre. I have no doubt that this years event will live up to and exceed the success of previous years. For all of the spectators that will join us here in Feilding, from around New Zealand and overseas, we hope you enjoy the talent displayed and the wonderful hospitality of Dressage New Zealand at these prestigious Championships” David Jones-Parry from Weatherbeeta (NZ distributors for Bates Saddles) recalls after the first Bates Championships Wendy Hamerton
(who was Dressage Chair at the time), approaching him at the end of the event and said “Well David, how did we do? Do you think Bates will be back next year?” and come back they did for another nineteen consecutive years to bring us to 2018. Testament to Bates praise of the event is that 2018 sees a record number of entries of an unprecedented standard. As part of the event support Bates have donated two saddles of choice to support the South Island riders travel fund. This raffle will be drawn at the Saturday night spectacular. This travel fund is to support SI riders with interisland travel and this year eleven riders will share the proceeds. The competition proper gets underway on Thursday, but all combinations competing in the FEI scheduled events need to present for the horse inspection on Wednesday. Then it’s game on with everything from para equestrian, amateurs, masters, young riders, young horses, open championships and the chance to notch up 2018 World Equestrian Games qualification in Thursday’s Grand Prix. Live scoring will be available every day
on www.equestrianentries.org and we https://www.facebook.com/Batesnationals/ plan to bring you short live streams during the event direct to the Bates NZ Championships Facebook page. The event programme will be published on www.issuu.com, the same platform as your DressageNZ Bulletin. Admission is free to all day time sessions where you can experience dressage indoors and outdoors, and enjoy a day out having a snack at the indoor cafe and browsing the trade stands. The Saturday night spectacular will see NZ’s best Grand Prix riders in action in the Musical Freestyle plus a great variety of equestrian entertainment. There will be a Kiwiana Pas de Deux, an equestrian intersport challenge, a para equestrian demonstration and what promises to be a hilarious WEG fundraiser. Come along and support our WEG team as their campaign get underway for 2018. Treat yourself to a dinner table and watch in style while enjoying a https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/dressage-musical-spectacular-2018/feilding beautifully catered meal. Book Saturday night general admission tickets or dinner tables (you can buy single seats at a table) by clicking here.
FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 5
NATIONAL NEWS
Grand Prix champions Jody Hartstone and the stallion Ali Baba
NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PARA CHAMPIONSHIPS Article by Wendy Hamerton Photos by Libby Law
The perfect lead up to Nationals and HOY The weather forecast was a shocker for the Auckland region leading into the North Island Championships and heavy rain greeted many competitors as they arrived at the venue to settle on Thursday. But the dressage spirits were kind and riders enjoyed three sunny days of competitions. The organisers were thrilled with the overall standard of competition and noted the quality of so many young horses in the lower grades. Elite Equine Nutrition sponsored Young Dressage Horses classes were
held with two Crystal Mt progeny horses, Crystal Mt Rafaela and Crystal Mt Pimea both ridden by Ebba Anderson contesting the four year old class for 71.8% and 67.8%. Six five year olds lined up with the classy Astek Geronimo (Kinnordy Gym Bello / GT Fleur Di Mimosa, bred by Astek Stud) ridden and owned Rotorua's Kellie Hamlett narrowly winning on 76.4% from GS O Jay (76.1%) and Amanda Berridge. Just one combination, Nicki Stone and Delta RE (Donnerubin / Kristabella, bred by Royston Equine)
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entered the six year old class for the good score of 72.2%. The Grand Prix class saw the seasoned campaigners Jody Hartstone and Ali Baba take the NI title – during the week of the event Jody was on crutches with a suspected broken foot so it was a courageous effort to get her boot on and compete. Sheena Ross’s Parkridge Disco SW took reserve in his first season at this level and shows much promise and talent for the work. It was good to see Debbie Barke and Lucrative SW back after an injury lay
NATIONAL NEWS off and winning the SRS Super 5 Grand Prix with 65.52%, and looking to be enjoying his work. This combination did not contest the Special. James Jackson, Greg Smith and Bill Millar made sure the girls didn’t have it all their own way with James and Kinnordy Gasparo (Gymnastik Star / Kinnordy Well & True) taking out the Prix St Georges Championship, Greg and Avante Garde the Intermediate I, and Bill reserve Level 3 with Bella Dieci, an Australian Warmblood 7yr bay mare by Belissimo M / HP Missouri, bred by Holstein Park and owned by Haylie Martin, and Reserve level 8 on Centurion (Donnerwind V /Estilo Centuria owned and bred by Rosemary Carter & Brett Kendall).
The Matthews Hanoverians team was firing with Hannah Burden; Fanfare MH (Hanoverian by Furstenball & Danzare MH) Level 1 Champion, Reserve level 2 on Aroha MH (Anamour / EM Weltliebe) and Reserve level 4 on Decadance MH (Hanoverian by De Caprio / Adelheid) who was national Young Horse Champion as a four year old. Kieryn Walton from Owhango has to do the miles to get to events, but is back big time with an exciting team of three in her truck this year. It would have been a short trip home from Clevedon with three wides hanging up, from Shimmer VP (Level 1 Res) Wisdom WDS (Level 2 Champion) and Rosari Don Carlos (Level 7 Res).
Pony Championships were offered at levels 1 & 2 with eleven combinations in each grade. Piper Crake and Rebel Ricochet headed off the level 1 opposition to take the title as did Sophia Blackbourn and the imported German Riding Pony (Casino Royal K / Gleisberg Daila) Champions League in Level 2. The NI Para Championships were held in conjunction with Grade III, IV & V riders finding form for their national championships alongside the Bates in February. Chontelle Honour, Rachel Stock and Jo Jackson each won their respective Grade Championships.
Pictured Left: Kieryn Walton and Rosari Don Carlos on their way to reserve champion Level 7 Below: Para rider Nicola Essex and Craighaven Allanon
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FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 7
NATIONAL NEWS
L to R: Nicky Hallen (NZ), Luciano D'Elia (AUS), Jane Ventura (AUS), Peri Scrivenor (NZ), Adam Riess (AUS)
JUDGES EXCHANGE PROGRAMME Article by Peri Scrivenor (Canterbury) and Nicky Hallen (Waikato)
We feel so fortunate to be have invited onto the Exchange Programme for List C –AUS & List 3 - NZL Judges. When we arrived in Melbourne we were met by Jane Ventura (FEI 4*) who showed us some of the wonderful sights of the city before heading down the Peninsula where we were very lucky to be hosted by Jane in her beautiful Sorrento beach house. We started our judging roles at the Australian Young Dressage Championships at Boneo Park the next afternoon in a sweltering 38 degrees
and we survived! The Organising Committee made us feel very welcome and part of their team as did the other Australian Judges. Our anxiety quickly disappeared when we realised that no matter which country you have come from the same principles of dressage judging apply. We both feel that we have grown in confidence from this positive experience and recommend anyone given this opportunity to “jump in boots and all”. During our downtime we kept fit by
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8 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
exploring the spectacular coastline by foot. The Boneo Classic was held the following weekend and we were able to stay on and attend Katrina Wuest's Education Clinic and then write for FEI Judges including Katrina Wuest which was an incredible opportunity for our experience, knowledge and for the upgrading process. Words cannot express how well we were treated. Thank you again Dressage Victoria and ESNZ Dressage for the opportunity.
NATIONAL NEWS
NEWS Prima Magneto and Lilly Jeffries Photo: Dark Horse Photography
DRESSAGE NZ PLANNING FORUM The 2018 Planning Forum will be held at the West Plaza Hotel Wellington on Tuesday the 10th and 11th of April 2018 beginning at 5.30pm. Delegates and interested members should plan to arrive in time for a 5.30pm welcome and dinner followed by an evening session until 9pm. The meeting will recommence on Wednesday 11th at 8.30am and finish at 3.45pm The Planning Forum will receive remits for rule changes and other topics for discussion. Remits which are passed at the Forum will go back to areas and come forward again to conference for ratification. Templates for remits and other submissions are available on the website
DRESSAGE CONFERENCE AND COMMITTEE MEETING
PRIMA MAGNETO TRAY ANNOUNCED FOR LEVEL 4 DRESSAGE PONY OF THE YEAR TITLE Prima Magneto (Lucien) has proven to be one of those priceless, timeless ponies who have given so much to so many. Bred by Tauranga’s Lisa Hope, his Horse of the Year Show performances spanned a decade from 2007 until his semi-retirement in 2017 (he is still proving to be a valuable schoolmaster in his twilight years) Lucien’s most recent HoY rider, Wellington based Lilly Jefferies, and her mother Maryanne noted that with the Dressage Pony of the Year progressing to Level 4 for the first time in 2017, that it would be fitting to remember this pony’s achievements by donating a new Horse of the Year trophy for the winner. Who will win this year? There are six well performed combinations challenging for this new trophy including two from the South Island. The power of pony dressage is trending upward. PRIMA MAGNETO PONY OF THE YEAR TITLES
2007 Preliminary (Alex Hope) 2008 Novice (Alex Hope) 2010 Elementary runner –up (Lucy Allen) 2011 Elementary (Lucy Allen) 2013 Elementary (Kayleigh Ryan) 2016 Level 3 (Lilly Jefferies) 2017 Level 4 runner-up (Lilly Jefferies)
The 2018 Dressage Conference & Committee meeting will be held at the Distinction Palmerston North Hotel (Cuba St) on 30th June & 1st July Conference will begin at 9.30am on Saturday followed by the Awards Dinner. Committee meeting will commence 9am Sunday and complete no later than 3.45pm. Booking details to follow.
NI FUTURE STARS - NEC TAUPO 19/22 APRIL Entries now open on Equestrian Entries. This fabulous four day event will incorporate the Elite Equine NI Future Stars (Young Dressage Horse Classes for 4-7 yr old horses and 4-6 yr old ponies) and the Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge on Thursday/Friday 19th /20th followed by the Equestrian Entries U25 Championships on Saturday / Sunday 21st/22nd Sarah Giekie (FEI 4* USA) has been secured for all four days of the event and will be the President of the Ground Jury for the FEI World Dressage Challenge.
LOAN HORSES/PONIES REQUIRED Dressage NZ is again looking to the generosity of members to secure borrowed horses/ponies for both an InterIsland team and a TransTasman exchange team in conjunction with the U25 Champs. If you would consider loaning a horse or pony at any graded level, please contact Jo Telfer, NI Young Rider Convenor on 0274732306
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR RIDER & OC’S From 1/1/2018, all FEI tests, whether ridden under Dressage NZ national rules or FEI rules at CDI events will use the FEI version valid 1/1/2018. These can be downloaded at no cost from http://inside.fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/dressage/tests The only exception to any directive on the tests, is that when run under Dressage NZ rules, a permitted snaffle bridle may be used instead of a double bridle. FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 9
NATIONAL NEWS
Above L to R Jan Mitchell (SI Selector), Helen Hughes-Keen (Chair of Selectors), North Island Team: Georgia Gibbons, Nicole Sweney, Amy Sage South Island Team: Tessa van Bruggen, Grace Thomson, Millie Thompson, Julia Thomson - SI YR Convenor Photo: NZEquine
SOUTH ISLAND RIDERS SCORE CONVINCING WIN IN CHRISTCHURCH
Tessa van Bruggen and Fiorenzo Photo: NZEquine
The Richmond Saddlery sponsored York Corporation Interisland Team Challenge entered a new era in 2018, reformatted to a two round competition, one round being held in each island. The first round was held in conjunction with the Tavern Harewood South Island Championships at McLeans Island. South Island team members rode their own horses and loan mounts were generously made available for the northern visitors. The SI team made the most of their home advantage and were excited about taking a 26.95 point lead after round one. Round two will be at the Equestrian Entries U25 Championships at Taupo NEC 21/22 April. Team members will not necessarily be the same in Round 2. The North Island team will be selected from riders entered at the event to match available SI combinations. It’s going to be a great contest to determine the York Corporation Trophy winner. A huge thanks to loan horse owners: Philippa Thompson (Gangstar), Rachael White (Thornfield Rhyan) and Tallyho Stud / Sharyn Greer (Tallyho Jester) for making this possible.
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NATIONAL NEWS NICOLE SWENEY TELLS OF THE NORTH ISLAND TEAM ADVENTURE Our trip began with a lot of excitement, nerves and sweat! We arrived in Christchurch to 32 degrees and, surprisingly, no wind! The rental was designed to carry 5 people, but had an extra seat squished in the back to cater for our group of 6. With an extra person taking up most of the boot space, fitting ourselves as well as all of our luggage into the car was somewhat challenging! Having the team and parents all accommodated together in a rental house close to the airport and the NEC added to the team experience. Georgia had an adorable, but inexperienced pony to compete for the competition called Tallyho Jester. Amy and I had to choose which horse we wanted, with many ‘fights to the death’ threatened before meeting the horses! Luckily, we each preferred a different horse and none of our empty threats had to be exposed! Amy's choice was lovely kind level 3 horse called Thornfield Rhyan, while I had a beautiful big level 4 horse called Gangstar. SI Young Rider Convenor Julia and her daughter Grace were very generous and helpful, and we found our schooling session an enormous help towards getting to know our horses a little bit better! Above: Nicole Sweney and Gangstar Photo: NZEquine Left: Amy Sage and Thornfield Rhyan, Georgia Gibbons and Tallyho Jester, Nicole Sweney and Gangstar
Richmond Saddlery InterIsland Challenge Round 1 SOUTH ISLAND 1ST
TOTAL
Grace Thomson
Trevalda Mountain Storm
203.860
Millie Thompson
Rifesyde Prancer
197.103
Tess van Bruggen
Fiorenza
201.508 Total 602.471
NORTH ISLAND TEAM 2ND Georgia Gibbons
Tallyho Jester
198.358
Nicole Sweney
Gangstar
189.771
Amy Sage
Thornfield Rhyan
187.393 Total 575.522
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| DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 11
PRODUCT REVIEW
WORLD-CLASS LONDON OLYMPIC SURFACE ARRIVES IN NEW ZEALAND Article by John Cottle
The arena surface used in London is now available in New Zealand and Australia through their exclusive Australasian distributor, New Zealand Olympian John Cottle. We invited John to introduce us to the Andrews Bowen surface and to explain why it is such a good option for dressage arenas in this part of the world.
During my long International riding career, I have witnessed and experienced significant advances in technology relating to arena design and the specification, installation and maintenance of arena surfaces. The focus on good footing for competition and training facilities is one of the major factors contributing to the elevation of the standard of dressage and show jumping performances worldwide. My concern has always been that New Zealand was lagging behind in this key area of performance and horse safety. I wanted our riders and horses to be able to experience the difference and the benefits that the very best surface technologies in the world can deliver. I was aware that Lars Roepstorff (Professor in Equine Functional Anatomy at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) had conducted research into the properties of equestrian surfaces around the world as part of a long-term scientific footing study for the FEI. In the first ever scientific assessment of an Olympic equestrian surface, he measured properties of the Andrews Bowen surface installed at London, including surface firmness, elasticity, the dampening capacity of the footing, and grip. He concluded the London Olympic footing was one of the very best in the world and that it was the most consistent he had ever worked on.
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Most competition riders are aware that biomechanical research demonstrates the legs and hoof of the horse have to withstand great forces when the hoof hits the ground, as well as when turning and increasing and decreasing speed. To avoid the risk of injury arena surface’s need to have a certain amount of ‘’slide” or shock absorption and uniformity. I therefore found Professor Roepstorff ’s highly favourable assessment of the London Olympic surface – which was supported by official FEI observers – particularly compelling. I reached out to Andrews Bowen as a result, to see if it was possible to bring that quality of arena surface to dressage and jumping riders and horses in this part of the world. Both Andrews Bowen principals, David Andrews and Simon Bowen, have strong equestrian backgrounds. David show jumped Internationally and his wife Julie is currently jumping in Nation Cups. Simon rode as a teenager and is the son of David Bowen who was Great Britain’s reserve rider for the Los Angeles Olympics. I was also impressed by the fact Andrews Bowen weren’t resting on their laurels – they were constantly researching and developing new products, and had been awarded the prestigious UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2012 as a consequence. Equimulsion, for example, is a new environmentally-friendly wax- based product developed by Andrews Bowen that provides a great alternative to
PRODUCT REVIEW
THE LONDON OLYMPICS ARENA SURFACE
NOW AVAILABLE HERE The new surface was christened at the recent Waikato Dressage Championships Photo: Take the Moment Photography
watering. The function of the wax is to coat and bind the sand and fibre, eliminating dust and repelling water while requiring less maintenance than other surfaces. I have now been fortunate enough to be hosted by David and Simon in the UK to learn more about their products and installation methods, and to work with them on new arena installations – most recently the new indoor surface at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo. The wide range of Andrews Bowen fibre materials available, together with the correct specification and selection of local sand products, means I can now recommend and produce the most suitable blend for arenas in any part of the country. For new arenas, the composition of the arena sand is particularly important, and this is something we will help our clients with, selecting or blending the best locally available sands to match Andrews Bowen’s recommended specifications as closely as possible. That’s very exciting. And, of course, their range of fibre products will greatly improve any existing sand surface.
As a consequence of our relationship with Andrews Bowen, we can now also offer our clients two under surface watering systems and their Pro Grade Groomer. The Ebb & Flow watering system and the new state-of-the-art Equiflow watering system, both provide very uniform saturation, which is key to creating a world-class surface. Surface grooming is an oftenneglected aspect of arena surface performance and horse safety. And we certainly recommend anyone installing a new Andrews Bowen arena surface should also consider a Pro Grade Groomer in their budget calculations. I’ve owned one myself for a significant period – it’s a pleasure to use and is an expense I’ve never regretted.
The Andrews Bowen surface is used on a wide variety of international arenas, including the HOY Show NEC Birmingham, at Hickstead, at the Bolesworth Castle International and the British Military Tournament at Earls Court; the Pan Arab Games in Qatar; the Wellington Equestrian Festival Florida and NOW the Taupo Indoor facility - to name just a few. If quality footing is important to you, contact the New Zealand and Australian agent, John Cottle for further details.
JOHN COTTLE john@johncottle.com 021 220 0275 andrewsbowen.co.nz
FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 13
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
GAL MAKES RETURN TO PODIUM Article by Louise Parks
Edward Gal and the young talent Glock's Zonik All photos: Tony Parkes FEI
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Germany’s Isabell Werth and Weihegold are awesome in Amsterdam while Glock’s Zonik shows so much promise for Dutch runner-up Edward Gal; Germany's Jessica von Bredow-Werndl rockets up leaderboard when clinching third as she continues to inspire, just months after giving birth to her first child.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Defending series champions, Germany’s Isabell Werth (48) and her magical mare Weihegold OLD, cruised to victory at the sixth leg of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2017/2018 Western European League in Amsterdam (NED). The dynamic duo floated through their Freestyle test to post 88.54%, almost a full percentage point more than their winning score at the third leg of the series on home ground in Stuttgart in November. The capacity crowd packed into the RAI Arena included stars of many other sports along with Dutch royal family member Princess Margarita, Countess of Colorno, who is a Board Member of the show organisation, Jumping Amsterdam. But it was the German Dressage queen who claimed centre stage when pinning the home side’s Edward Gal with Glock’s Zonik into second, and her compatriot, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl into third with Unee BB. “Weihe was really fantastic today, I can’t describe the feeling of this power and collection, she’s like a metronome - we can do whatever we want! The atmosphere in the arena was electric so I had to be careful because she was very hot. She produced really magnificent piaffe/passage, but I stopped breathing in the collected walk because she was SO ready for the canter!” Werth said.
Last to go she was chasing the super leading mark of 81.86 produced by Gal and his exciting young stallion who really settled to his job. “It’s five weeks since we finished third at Olympia (London) and there is a visible improvement” said the man who claimed the FEI World Cup™ Dressage title in 2010 with the great Totilas. This was just the third Freestyle test for the 10-year-old Zonik. “He’s getting stronger and stronger and more motivated, suddenly we are making big steps forward and I have high hopes for him for the future!” he added. As Werth rode into the arena, her compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was just leaving after posting an impressive 81.195 with Unee BB who couldn’t take his eyes off Weihegold. “The older he gets the more powerful he gets - I think he’s going through a second youth, he certainly had plenty of extra energy today!” said von Bredow-Werndl of her 17-year-old stallion. And today’s result has moved her up to second place on the Western European League leaderboard behind Sweden’s Patrik Kittel who once again wowed the crowds with a great performance from Deja to finish fourth. As title defender Werth doesn’t earn points at the qualifiers but must compete in at least two legs of the Western European League with the horse she intends to take to the Final in Paris in April and with two in the bag, and both winning ones, with Weihegold she is now turning her attention to her backup ride, Emilio who topped the line-up in Lyon in November. “Obviously Weihe is my first choice, but Emilio will go to the last two qualifiers in Gothenburg (SWE) and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED)” she explained. She’s missing the next leg on home ground in Neumunster in three weeks’ time due to another commitment but she has her fourth FEI World Cup™ Dressage title clearly in her sights. Asked how she is feeling ahead of the 2018 Final which will take place in the French capital from 10 to 15 April she replied, “I’m happy but I never say
I’m confident, that’s not my way. This is sport, you never know what’s going to happen so you always have to stay awake!”
RESULTS: 1. Weihegold OLD (Isabell Werth) GER 88.450; 2. Glock’s Zonik NOP (Edward Gal) NED 81.860; 3. Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 81.195. FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2017/2018 WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6 IN AMSTERDAM (NED): 1. Patrik Kittel SWE - 74 2. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER - 59 3. Dorothee Schneider GER - 55 4. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER - 50 5. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven SWE - 45 6. Morgan Barbancon Mestre ESP - 43 7. Daniel Bachmann Andersen DEN- 39 7. Madeleine Witte-Vrees NED - 39 9. Belinda Weinbauer AUT - 38 10. Hayley Watson-Greaves GBR - 37 10. Marcela Krinke-Susmelj SUI - 37
FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 15
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
MELBOURNE’S MARY HANNA WINS TICKET TO PARIS FEI WORLD CUP FINAL ESNZ logo 500mm
Mary Hanna and Calanta Photo: Stephen Mowbray
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Mary Hanna and her stunning 11-year old KWPN mare Calanta will represent the Pacific League in the FEI World Cup final in Paris in April. Mary convincingly won the Freestyle and the trip to France in the IRT Grand Prix Freestyle following a surprising eighth place in the Grand Prix the previous day. Mary is a very experienced international competitor having lined up in three World Cup Finals, five Olympics and three World Equestrian Games. Her freestyle score of 75.365% was tantalisingly close to Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten’s Australasian record of 76.3% which remains nicely intact. Nine of Australia’s best combinations contested this year’s League Final.
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In the Grand Prix, Brett Parbery aboard the 16 year old DP Weltmieser (by Weltmeyer x Dutch Courage) owned by Susan Duddy headed the podium with 70.696% ahead of Hanna and her 2016 Rio Olympic ride Boogie Woogie (by Du Moulin) on 68.609%. Shannan Goodwin and Aristede with a score of 68.478% took third place. This meant Parbery was the only combination to attain the EA WEG qualification score of 69%. In the Freestyle, Alexis Hellyer scored one of her best placings ever in senior competition guiding the 13-year old Baden Wurttemberger bred Bluefieldss Floreno (by Florencio x Roy Black x Akzent II) into runner up on 71.545% ahead of DP Weltmieser on 71.150%.
IN MEMORIAM
REFLECTIONS:
IN MEMORIAM JEANETTE TREVELYAN Dressage New Zealand Selector from 2001 – 2012. During her eleven year term as South Island based National Dressage Selector, Jeanette won the hearts of the dressage community. Her quiet, but firm when necessary approach, her knowledge and integrity earned her the utmost respect from all who were privileged to work alongside her, from squad members and competitors. She nurtured the next generation as SI Young Rider convenor – a role which she truly loved and selflessly undertook to see the sport develop. As a judge her eye was very perceptive and her comments fair and constructive. The knowledge she imparted to all came from both practical experience as a rider and a humility which resulted in Jeanette always mindful that there is always something more to learn about dressage. Dressage NZ offers condolences to Jeanette’s family. Her contribution to our sport will be forever in our history.
"I met Jeanette about 25 years ago when she started lessons with me in Timaru. She trained her horse “Tavi” from Prelim right through to Prix St George and had success at all levels. Sadly “Tavi” had an accident and his life was cut short and so Cotopaxi was her next project, a beautiful off the track TB that looked like a warmblood whom she produced to level three before retiring from riding at the age of 63. Jeanette then became more involved with judging and became a National Selector in 2001 We stayed in contact and worked together during some South Island Young Rider Training Camps. Even when she was ill she came and watched my lessons in Christchurch. After her family Dressage was her passion. She gave everything she did 150% of her attention. We had many discussions about dressage and even last month when I rang her she wanted to know what was happening regarding our riders aiming for the World Equestrian Games!!! I will miss her very much."
- Andrea Raves
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MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH
YOUR MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH QUESTION FROM ALI ADDIS:
Ali rides the 144 cm pony Whistledown Kristopha successfully in adult competition at Level 5 and plans to train on a young horse in the future.
“WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TRULY HAVE MY HORSE IN FRONT OF THE LEG AND HOW CAN I TRAIN FOR THIS AT HOME?" ANSWER FROM ANDREA RAVES:
For me a horse is in front of the leg when it goes forward willingly whilst accepting a contact. It takes the rider forward without him or her having feeling they have to be constantly encouraging the horse forward or feeling like they need to hold it back. When the horse is in front of the leg, the rider is able to easily control the tempo the horse responds to subtle forward aids and half halts.
A horse should go forward off the smallest leg aid from the rider. We often see riders who kick their horse constantly to get or keep it going. If that is the case the rider has to make the horse more sensitive to their leg aid. To do this he applies a normal leg aid in walk and if the horse does not react with the desired amount of forward energy the rider should immediately make a little noise like a click. If the horse does still not go forward (which is normal in the beginning) the original
DO YOU HAVE A QUERY REGARDING THE CARE, MAINTENANCE OR TRAINING OF YOUR DRESSAGE HORSE?
aid has to be backed up by a tap with the whip or a strong kick with both legs but not much contact so the horse can go forward. This stronger aid should send the horse into a trot at least or even better a canter in which it does not try to slow down by itself. The rider then pats the horse, brings it back to walk and asks it again with the original aid to go forward. If it goes easily, it gets rewarded with a pat – if not we need to start the process again. Make a noise and give a stronger aid. Soon the horse will learn to go forward on the original aid or at the latest when it hears the noise otherwise there is a “consequence”. Horses that are running away are not in front of the leg either. They have to learn to respect a rein aid better so the rider can control their forward energy and start using a leg aid as part of a half halt. Lots of transitions from walk to trot and trot to canter as well as transitions Go to the DressageNZ Bulletin Facebook page and submit your training questions, A question will be selected and sent to one of our participating coaches to answer for you! The winning question will receive a bag of Mitavite feed.
within the paces will assist the process to create and control the energy (impulsion) we need to get a horse truly in front of the leg and connected over the back, and help improve the balance and confidence of the horse.
ABOUT ANDREA
• Holder of Pferdewirtschaftsmeister (German Master of Horse Trainer & Instructor) • Equestrian Sports NZ Elite Coach, Dressage NZ A Grade Trainer • Coach to 2016 Rio Olympic competitor Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten
Thank you Mitavite and thank you Andrea Raves for supporting Dressage NZ Congratulations Ali, we know your pony will enjoy your prize!
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MASTERCLASS Tips from one of the world's greatest, Victoria Wall and Letty Lei EDH listen intently as Jonny Hilberath explains.
JOINING THE DOTS WITH JONNY HILBERATH Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Libby Law
Part Three of a Four Part series This month we feature two combinations clearly on the pathway to Grand Prix but it’s still all about getting the basics right......... CAROLYN MCCREE AND ANTIPODES (AUCKLAND) Now 13, Antipodes was a late starter to dressage, as the big Percheron/ Clydesdale cross was a regular on the hunt field til he was eight years old! Carolyn is now working towards Grand Prix with him. Whilst acknowledging that Antipodes does all the Grand Prix movements, Hilberath says he thinks there is still work to do on the rideability: he is a big-moving, strong horse and Carolyn is a petite rider. “He’s a little bit ‘in your way’, if you call it, to real success and harmony,” he explains. “So again, let’s start with very basic with transitions. Because through the transitions the
horse needs to respond and concentrate on the rider which helps to get him a little bit more into the ‘mind tunnel’ of you as the rider. So just do lots of walk and trot transitions, and as soon as you feel a bit uncomfortable in trot because he gets too strong, then walk for a few strides and back into trot again. Until you can sit and ride without a big effort.” “It’s important, if you sit on a horse like this that has this energy and power and will to go, that you don’t believe that if you hold him back you will make him quieter by doing that. He has to go. You have to ride the trot and not hold the trot. The more you hold him back, the more excited he will get. Let him work from behind and through
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his back so he gets more loose. Change the tempo; that is the key. He has to do something with his energy,” Hilberath maintains. “And forward again. Good. And forward again. Exactly, excellent,” he says, before telling Carolyn to halt. “For me, it’s very important to have this break where the horse can just breathe out and think ‘thank god it’s not so difficult’. His body language gets a little bit calmer, a little bit more easy. “Good, now go on. Now with this horse, it’s [taking the] time. I mean you always have to have time when you ride horses, but especially when you have a hot horse, you just have to have time enough to settle the horse in and get in communication with him. Now, you can put a little bit of the transition to
MASTERCLASS passage in. This is something that can have the same result as the transitions. Keep the front of your horse straight and ask a little more. Yes – and now trot away,” he instructs. “And it helps to get the horses attention – straighten the neck, Carolyn. Much better. Before, Carolyn has bended the horse a little too much – as soon as she got the horse straighter then he got in more balance and more regular.” Hilberath says that as the horse is a little nervous and sensitive, there was no real plan for this lesson, and together he and Carolyn had decided to work with whatever came up. He asks her what she’d like to work on, and she replied with canter pirouettes. “Good,” says Hilberath. “Because the canter in the Grand Prix is a big part where you lose or make the most points, because you have a coefficient in the zigzag, in the pirouettes and the one-tempis. Three movements. People are always really focused on the trot, and on the trot extension, which doesn’t help to get the points higher. You have to concentrate on the movements of the canter.” He tells Carolyn to start by working on collecting the canter, to prepare the horse. “Stay still with your hands, show your horse through the quietness of your hands that he is allowed to stay forward. If the hands get too active it is difficult for the horse to ‘hear’ your seat and your leg. You don’t want your hands to be ‘loud’. Good, well done,” he encourages. “It’s not easy, pat him, make it friendly for him. This is a very good example of how to build up confidence,” he adds, turning to the audience. “Super – pat him again, very nice!” The crowd claps and Antipodes gets worried. Hilberath, of course, isn’t bothered by this and reminds Carolyn to see it as a wonderful training opportunity. “I hope your horse can benefit a little bit from that you know, because that’s what happens at big shows - a lot of things going on, and a massive crowd, and it was very good training for him I think – thank you for coming!” RIDER SIX – VICTORIA WALL AND LETTY LEI EDH Victoria Wall and her Limonit mare, Letty Lei, are also working toward Grand
Prix and have started at FEI Intermediate level this season, including a fourth placing at Equidays 2017. Hilberath is complimentary about this combination as they are warming up. “This is a very light and electric horse, and I’m a big friend of power and energy and electricity, so I like - a lot - a type like that. Where you also can get yourself as a rider a little bit back, and just sit and watch the horse and let the horse come out, which makes it very easy if you’ve found the buttons for control. Sometimes it’s not so easy to find them, but I think Victoria has done a wonderful job with this sensitive horse,” he nods approvingly. He outlines the plan for Victoria and Letty Lei’s session, which is to get a little bit more expression and elasticity not only into the trot work, but also into the piaffe and passage. He asks Victoria to start off with a little bit of lateral work, and get the horse responding to the aids. He questions the crowd. “It’s really silent, yes? That’s what I like, when you can’t hear the horse moving, when it’s naturally balanced and she’s very good in her self carriage and makes it look easy and elegant and light. It’s a very good example of a modern dressage horse. “Be brave – we want to have big power today Victoria, because there is
a lot of power in your horse. We have great possibilities! Also this horse has a naturally active and well-connected hindleg, which again makes it rather easy for the horse to do this lateral work. Before we passage we want to have even more energy coming forward to the contact. So, Victoria, go down the long side in medium trot, a little more forward so you take this energy into the passage. Now, don’t stop her with your hand, don’t touch her mouth, just use your seat. Keep the energy alive.” Letty Lei loses a little bit of balance. “Keep your arms a little lower,” Hilberath advises. “And that is a good example that the horse got a little behind your aids – try again. When your hands are too high, that causes a little problem for the balance, the horse can’t find a connection from the back to the front. It disturbs a little bit the natural way of the horse balancing himself. That’s better,” he says, before reminding that “the hand will not help you – and again. Very nice, very nice well done! That’s a very simple and stressless way of training the horse, we don’t need to act with our spurs or our whip to make this happen, we just have to understand how we can use the transition to help us.” The pair repeat the transition into passage from trot. “Again, too much
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MASTERCLASS
" It’s important that the human as well as the horse relaxes during the stretch and lets the stress out." backwards tendency,” Hilberath repeats. “I think there, you try to slow her down to collect, which is not what you have to have - you want to have the horse bouncing off the ground and in front of you, in front of your hand. You have to make it playful, you can use the whip in a friendly way – create more energy but not more stress. Keep your hand down – give her all possibilities with the neck. Now pat her and let her stretch out. It’s important that the human as well as the horse relaxes during the stretch and lets the stress out. Now we give her a little walk break and then we’ll try the piaffe,” Whilst they stretch, Hilberath expands on his ideas around the use of the whip. “I personally use the whip to explain myself to the horse. For example, when I start teaching the horses piaffe I do it from walk, like we did with Nikita before with the half steps. A rather hot and sensitive horse I can get a little bit more collected and excited, and sooner or later they start a little bit to jog off and get naturally into the half steps. If I have a horse that is a little bit either laid back, or not so quick, I use the whip to loose up the hind, I have my whip over my leg and point actually on the top of the tail, and while I’m walking I start a taptap-tap rhythm with the whip, like an extension of my aids, just to get a reflex. The horse should not be afraid of the whip,” he reiterates. “If he gets tight and tense, then his body and mind just get blocked. So if you use a whip, especially when it comes to piaffe passage, just use it as a tool that explains.” The training begins again and Hilberath’s eye for detail brings more suggestions. “You can see here that Victoria got a little bit forward with her seat to ride the horse a little bit more soft and careful, but that has the side effect that the weight is brought
forward, and the horse a bit more on its shoulder - which we don’t want, when it comes to collection. So her part now is to sit a little bit more upright, which gives the horse the chance to present herself a little bit more uphill into the piaffe.” This makes an immediate difference. “You can see already that the horse gets more under herself and out in front. Super! Different quality. Stop her, and pat her,” he instructs. “Remember to tell your horse when she has done something good. Try it one more time. Release the contact a little bit, super!” Victoria and her mare earn themselves a big round of applause from the crowd. “The jaw and the mouth is extremely important for the training and performing, because if the mouth is too dead, the whole horse is dead. If the mouth is too nervous and busy, the rider’s aids don’t get through. If the mouth does not stop working, it’s almost not listening to what the contact wants to say. She loses her energy and spring. So you have to communicate
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and deal with that, Victoria.” Victoria was very grateful to be a part of the Masterclass and says Hilberath’s real strength as a coach is his communication. “Why we do things and how are a big part of how he coaches. Other strengths are his humility, warmth and love of the horse. I got so much out of it. They say in dressage that the basics don’t change, and they don’t, but how you get there is quite individual to each coach and there’s always differences in approaches, and special techniques and exercises and insights that are so valuable to us.” She says working with Hilberath was an incredible opportunity that we simply would not normally have. “These initiatives that bring these trainers here are more than just an exciting thing to be part of, they’re actually fundamental in developing the sport in New Zealand and internationally.”
RIDER HEALTHMASTERCLASS AND FITNESS
SQUAT TO REDUCE WEAKNESS AND REALISE YOUR GOALS
Ricki Jacobs is a qualified Personal Trainer and the Head trainer at the Rangiora Fitness Centre, as a former semi professional rubgy player, Ricki now specializes in helping athletes to improve their movement quality and physical performances.
Article by Ricki Jacobs
The fitness industry is a lot like the fashion industry, an ever changing world of “cool” and “uncool” exercises, methods of training and gym attire!
Hence the full circle the lycra has done from being cool in the 80's, to uncool in the 90's an 2000's, where as today its very unusual to step foot in the gym and not see at least one female (and sometimes male ) wearing something tight or Fluro coloured! One side of fashion you definitely wont be seeing me catch on to! One trend in the fitness industry that has come full circle that I am really thankful for is it is now “cool” to be squatting, deadlifting and lunging, basically using compound movements to achieve your desired physique, strength or fitness related goals. The old age sayings of “ I don’t squat because I have bad knees “ or “ I cant deadlift because of my back” are slowly becoming uncool and for very good reason. A good saying I would like to hear on everyone’s lips is “ if you have bad knees, you SHOULD be squatting” or “ if you have a bad back, you SHOULD be deadlifting” Before you turn the page and think im crazy, hear me out.
When doing these movements they do not need to be with the kind of weights you see videos of Arnold Schwarzenegger using, it may simply be as little as your own bodyweight, light resistance bands or even dumbbells. Think about how often you squat, lunge or deadlift in your everyday life to pick objects up, move around objects, climb up hills, stairs etc. Your whole life is basically full of squatting, lunging and deadlifting therefore it is of the utmost importance that you learn to perform these movements efficiently. This is where I'd like to give you a quick tip, do these movements dependant on what your body needs, and what your goals are. For instance, if you have bad knees and they go past your toes when you squat, this will obviously cause knee pain due to excess pressure on the quads, the fix, start doing box squats weighted or unweighted, focus on shifting the hips back and keeping the knees behind the toes and weight through the heels. This will improve your ability to move pain free and
strengthen the posterior chain EG glutes, hamstrings and hip flexors. Plus it will help tone the butt - win, win! The same principle applies to lunges, if your knees hurt when lunging try taking a longer stride, leaning forward slightly and keep the knee behind the toes again, If walking lunges still aggravate the knees with this method (use a wall or something to hold onto if balance is an issue) or even reverse lunges. I hope these tips will help you enjoy your training pain free and help you get more out of your sessions, I will cover the deadlift in another article.
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EDUCATION
Sezuan - the triple Dressage Horse World Champion pictured as a seven year old with Dorothee Schneider (GER) Photo: Dirk Caremans
THE YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE Article by Linda Warren-Davey (FEI 3* and NZL Young Horse Judge)
For the first time in NZ Dressage, 2018 sees four national Young Dressage Horse events where combinations can ride and compete against each other in age group specific classes. OBJECTIVES AND PHILOSOPHY The primary objective is to evaluate the potential and correct training, appropriate to each age group, which demonstrates the correct foundation for the YDH to continue to compete successfully at the higher levels of dressage. The emphasis is first and foremost about the horse, with lesser emphasis placed on the rider and the movements themselves. JUDGING GUIDELINES The judging of the Young Horse classes is carried out by judges who have had specialised training in the evaluation of the correct training principles and young horse development. There is always a minimum of two judges, who judge from the 24 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
side, and in competitions where there are two rounds, the final round from ‘C’. The YH tests are very different compared to standard dressage tests, in that the individual movements are not judged separately; instead the rider receives five marks plus detailed feedback from the judges on: • Walk • Trot • Canter • Submission, (trainability), and • Overall Perspective. The tests have been designed to emphasise the paces, and the training requirement that is required and/or expected for each age group.
EDUCATION
4 YEAR OLD DRESSAGE HORSE This is the phase of understanding where the training emphasis is placed on the first three stages of the Training Scale; rhythm, suppleness and contact. These three phases are also known as the development period. Judges will be looking for • Looseness • Elasticity • Good freedom and movement in the shoulder • Adjustability within the frame and steps • Horse is responsive and willing Judges are not looking for collection yet, as it is too early, but the horse should show good activity and seek an elastic contact. The main emphasis is on the regularity of the paces, and an ability to lengthen the steps in trot and canter. Below are minor mistakes, therefore leniency is given for • ¼’s in at times, but not crookedness. • concentration lapses • momentary shortness in the neck • momentarily above the bit • halt not straight etc
5 YEAR OLD DRESSAGE HORSE As well as the above, the judges will place a little more emphasis on straightness. An understanding of the medium and collected paces is now required to be shown at times in the tests, as are simple changes through walk. The horse is required to show a willingness to collect and demonstrate increasing balance and self-carriage when executing the serpentines and half 10 metre circles. Full collection is not required at this level and formal precision of the movements are also not required, but a little more rideability is expected with the horse listening to the rider, showing self- carriage and comfortable with the demands of the test. Emphasis will be placed on the stretch on the half circle - this is a very important movement to demonstrate suppleness and obedience. The horse needs to follow the contact which should be demonstrated clearly by the hands releasing forward in front of the wither. The movement should appear controlled with the horse letting go in the back and yet remain up in the shoulder. The contact should remain steady, the activity evident in the hind legs, and the horse should accept the shortening of the reins and frame without resistance. Considered to be minor mistakes, therefore leniency is given for • Moments of tension at beginning. • Not totally attentive or straight in the halt. • Transitions not on the markers. • Wrong lead but immediately corrected. • The odd ‘whoopsie’ is acceptable. Left: Leo Donna and Alicia Zeludko – now successfully competing at Prix St Georges Photo: Libby law
6 YEAR OLD DRESSAGE HORSE The horse should now demonstrate an ability to collect in trot and canter. It’s important that the judges can observe that impulsion is being created from an active hind-leg and a relaxed swinging back. A higher degree of submission and obedience is required, with self- carriage and a correct contact established. The judges will be looking for self-carriage in the give and retake of the reins. This should be demonstrated by both hands moving forward along the horse’s neck and giving up the contact with the mouth. Flying changes are optional. When evaluating the flying changes, the judges will look to see they are initiated from behind, and balanced. The quality of canter before and after is important, as is straightness, and an uphill frame. Judges are still not requiring complete accuracy of movements and transitions at markers but looking for obedience and control which together produces precision. Considered to be minor mistakes, therefore leniency is given for • Lateral movements not always starting or finishing at marker • Some loss of bend at end of movement in half passes • Flying changes not at marker – emphasis to be on quality. 7 YEAR OLD DRESSAGE HORSE This level has been added recently to further encourage the natural training progression of the young horse, introducing working half pirouettes and 3 flying changes every 4th stride. The judges are looking for expression and cadence in the collected work, and good ground cover with a difference in the medium and extended paces. The tests include the stretch circle and the release of the reins over 3 strides, so the horse can demonstrate through-ness over the back, self-carriage, and balance. The horse will demonstrate straightness and an even connection on both reins. The collection required is relative to this level with the horse showing an ability to carry weight with a lightness of the forehand.
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focused on the rider’s aids. A good dressage horse must have presence and expression. This expression is based on the overall attitude of the horse and the way in which it presents itself during the test. The horse’s natural charm, the way it moves and the freedom and cadence in the paces will determine its expression and presence. (As per the FEI Dressage Handbook, guideline to judging).
The judging panel changes and consists of three judges, with one judge at ‘C’, judging only the technical execution of the test (movements) and the remaining two judges sit at either ‘E’ or ‘B’ and judge the quality of the horse. The technical marks and the quality marks contribute equally to the final score. Considered to be minor mistakes, therefore leniency is given for • Slightly swaying • Not totally balanced in series of changes • Momentary loss of balance in canter pirouettes
SUBMISSION MARK TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION Rideability, adjustability, and trust should all be apparent between the rider and the horse. The horse should be displaying a steady connection, with the poll being neither too high nor too low, yet at the highest point without any restriction in the neck. Suppleness and elasticity is sought throughout the gaits and in two track work, with the combination showing a balance between harmony and energy. Self- carriage is important right from the beginning, with a more horizontal frame being acceptable in the 4 and 5 year old.
The emphasis is on three basic quality paces with the training of the horse in parallel to the Training Scale. Conformation, temperament, natural talent and the ability to perform at a high level is also taken into consideration, as is the ability to collect and take weight (Push and carry). (Refer to FEI Handbook, YDH section). Potential cannot compensate for lack of obedience or lack of performance.
TEMPERAMENT AND EXPRESSION A young dressage horse has to be attentive by nature but nevertheless relaxed. It must be active and engaged but without tension. The horse must go willingly forward, without any pressure from the rider and should always be
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FUNDAMENTAL TRAINING ERRORS • Disobedience • Irregular and uneven rhythm • Unnaturally high neck and head carriage • Showing tension in the poll and jaw, tilting • Poor acceptance of the bit • Elevation of neck not relative to bend in the hindquarters • Not through • Lack of swing in the back • Obvious crookedness • Tending to pull rather than push • Lack of engagement in the hind legs • Stiff hindlegs • Repeated resistance • Clear lack of bend in lateral movements • Laziness and unwilling to move forward freely • Open mouth repeatedly The correct education and development of the young dressage horse is an essential component in planning a successful competitive future"....
NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
RESULTS L1 AMATEUR CHAMPION Bella Small and Ebony Affair RESERVE Maree Eggleton and Henton Amour
L5 OPEN CHAMPION Sharleen Royal and Sonic Spirit RESERVE Christine Weal and Schindlers Liszt
L2 AMATEUR CHAMPION Georgia Gibbons and LSH Constantine RESERVE Sarah Stone and Thornfield Amazing Grace
L6 OPEN CHAMPION James Jackson and Kinnordy Gasparo RESERVE Jennifer Sim and Stoneylea Lancelot
L3 AMATEUR CHAMPION Grace Farrell and Vollrath Luigi RESERVE Nicole Sweney and Flute Noir
L7 OPEN CHAMPION Greg Smith and Avante Garde RESERVE Kieryn Walton and Rosari Don Carlos
L1 PONY CHAMPION Piper Crake and Rebel Ricochet RESERVE Pans Masterton and KS Rose D'or
L8 OPEN CHAMPION Nikita Osborne and Alcatraz RESERVE William Millar and Centurion
L2 PONY CHAMPION Sophia Blackbourn and Champions League RESERVE Grace Farrell and Almost Legal
L9 OPEN CHAMPION Jody Hartstone and Ali Baba RESERVE Sheena Ross and Parkridge Disco SW
L1 OPEN CHAMPION Hannah Burden and Fanfare MH RESERVE Kieryn Walton and Shimmer VP
PARA GRADE III Chontelle Honour and Just Toffie PARA GRADE IV Rachel Stock and Chuck Taylor RESERVE Rachel Stock and HPH Benedict
L2 OPEN CHAMPION Kieryn Walton and Wisdom WDS RESERVE Hannah Burden and Aroha MH
PARA GRADE V Nicky Turnbull and TF Rory O'Moore RESERVE Jo Jackson and JD Flash
L3 OPEN CHAMPION Haydee Wells-Parmenter and Royal Dream RESERVE William Millar and Bella Dieci L4 OPEN CHAMPION Laura Saamu and Astek Rhapsody RESERVE Hannah Burden and Decandence MH
Dressage NZ Presents the
NORTH ISLAND FUTURE STARS CHAMPIONSHIP
Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Taupo 19-20 April 2018, www.nzeqeustrian.org.nz/dressage Entries close on 31st March at www.equestrianentries.co.nz Horses aged 4,5,6,7 Years, Ponies aged 4,5,6 Years Supported By NZ Hanoverian Society Kiwi Arena Rakes Equissage Equibreed
To be held alongside the FEI World Dressage Challenge FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 27
RESULTS
Team Taranaki - Wendy Hamerton, Caitlin Moseley, Abbie Deken, Becky Corlett, Vanessa Way (Absent Tania Smith & Brenda Bellringer) Photo: Dark Horse Photography
WAIRARAPA CHAMPIONSHIPS YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION AWARD Caitlin Rennie and Eastdale Foxtrot RESERVE Rachel Hucker and Must Be Magic HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 1-3 Raewyn Passey and Jembrae Rattle N Hum HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 4-9 Carole Christensen and Vollrath Leila MASTERS Penny Castle and Lord Alexis RESERVE Carole Christensen and Vollrath Leila DENIS REICHENBACH TEAM CHALLENGE Taranaki BEYOND THE BARRIERS THOROUGHBRED AWARD L1-3 Ann Webster and Rustic Challenge BEYOND THE BARRIERS THOROUGHBRED AWARD L4-9 Julie Pearson and All Rights Reserved L1 NON-GRADED Georgia Brown and Manuka Charlie RESERVE Ambyr Clay and Showtym Drifter L1 AMATEUR CHAMPION Caitlin Rennie and Eastdale Foxtrot RESERVE Sherree French and All Fun L2 AMATEUR CHAMPION Becky Corlett and True Donnar RESERVE Daldeep Dhillon and GF Floris L1 PONY CHAMPION Caitlin Rennie and Eastdale Foxtrot RESERVE Rachel Hucker and Must Be Magic
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L2 PONY CHAMPION Madeleine Leslie and Classic Beauty L1 OPEN CHAMPION Vaughan Cooper and River Jim RESERVE Leia McEvoy and Amon Ra L2 OPEN CHAMPION Penny Castle and Lord Alexis RESERVE Raewyn Passey and Jembrae Rattle N Hum L3 OPEN CHAMPION Abbie Deken and Pineridge Pirate RESERVE Ann Webster and Oranoa Morepork L4 OPEN CHAMPION Kallista Field and Felix Westfalia FE RESERVE Nicki Sunley and Leila Dawn L5 OPEN CHAMPION Chelsea Callaghan and Sisters II Etta J RESERVE Louise Duncan and Wolkenstein BC L6 OPEN CHAMPION Carole Christensen and Vollrath Leila RESERVE Liz Hutson and Hapsburg PSH L7 OPEN CHAMPION Rochelle Speirs and Vollrath Latimer RESERVE Mandy Littlejohn and Sparks Will Fly L8 OPEN CHAMPION Vanessa Way and NRM Andreas RESERVE Toni Louisson and Back On Track Astute L9 OPEN CHAMPION Abbie Deken and KH Ambrose
OUT AND ABOUT
2.
Wairarapa Championships - Dark Horse Photography 1. Jacinda Younger and Donnerubin 2. Kate Tobin and Bradgate DeRegent 3. Baldeep Dhillon and GF Floris 4. Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten 1.
5. Caitlin Rennie and Aaron Pinkham from Eastwood Motor Group
5.
4.
3.
FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 29
RESULTS
WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS AITHERY HIGHLANDER TROPHY Rider with best aggregate score (%) riding crossbred horse, not bred for Dressage - JACQUIE TEAGUE
L2 OPEN CHAMPION Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH RESERVE John Thompson and JHT Chemistry
4YR YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION Toni Louisson and Back on Track Devonian STS
L3 OPEN CHAMPION Wendi Williamson and Bon Jovi MH RESERVE Haydee Wells-Parmenter and Royal Dream
5YR YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION Jeanette Benzie and Libretto 6YR YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION Darcy Morgan and K P Don Jager L1 AMATEUR CHAMPION Grace Purdie and Taurimu Renaissance RESERVE Rachel Hucker and Must Be Magic L2 AMATEUR CHAMPION Sachleen Kaur and HPH Levitate RESERVE David Ringwood and Saatchi PSH L3 AMATEUR CHAMPION Rosie Richards and Don Douglas CFH RESERVE Kathryn Corry and Anuschka PSH OVERALL PONY CHAMPION Alison Addis and Whistledown Kristopha RESERVE Sophia Blackbourn and Champions League YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Rebecca Williamson and Don Tobio RESERVE Sachleen Kaur and HPH Levitate L1 OPEN CHAMPION Rebecca Williamson and Don Tobio RESERVE Kieryn Walton and Shimmer VP
30 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
L4 OPEN CHAMPION Gaylene Lennard and Jax Johnson RESERVE Betty Brown and Hot Gossip L5 OPEN CHAMPION Holly Leach and HP Fresco RESERVE Christine Weal and Schindlers Liszt L6 OPEN CHAMPION Christine Weal and Stoneylea Lord Locksley RESERVE Christine Weal FIS Lucifer L7 OPEN CHAMPION Kieryn Walton and Rosari Don Carlos RESERVE Greg Smith and Avante Garde L8 OPEN CHAMPION Toni Louisson and Back on Track Astute RESERVE Victoria Wall and Letty Lei EDH L9 OPEN CHAMPION Wendi Williamson and Don Amour MH RESERVE Debbie Barke and Lucrative SW
Dressage Musical Spectacular 2018 Incorporating the Kiwi Arena Rakes National and the CARTOWN FEI CDI*** Grand Prix Musical Freestyles
Manfeild Park Stadium, Feilding 6.00pm Saturday 17th February
GA $15.00 per person
Presales at www.eventfinda.co.nz (Booking fees apply) or Door Sales on the night
For corporate table sales please contact dressage@inspire.net.nz ATES SAD D LES
NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 2018 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 31
RESULTS
SOUTH ISLAND FESTIVAL OF DRESSAGE L1 PONY CHAMPION Lucy Cochrane and Winston RESERVE Maria Hendry and Willow Spring Jubilant
L4 OPEN CHAMPION Rebecca Rowlands and Solo RESERVE Nicki Ford and Fernando MH
L2 PONY CHAMPION Brittany Fowler and Apsley Backchat Kid RESERVE Meg Johnston and Little Blessing
L5 OPEN CHAMPION Nicki Page and Silver Reef R.E RESERVE Sonya McLachlin and Alliarna
L3 PONY CHAMPION Charlotte Thomas and Farview Free Spirit RESERVE Emma Copplestone and Dinky Di Doff
L6 OPEN CHAMPION Melissa Galloway and Windermere JObèi W RESERVE Nicola Maley and Astek Galahad
L4 PONY CHAMPION Millie Thompson and Rifesyde Prancer
L7 OPEN CHAMPION Sophie Griffith and Frangelico F RESERVE Lauren Haig and Westford Lanciano
L1 OPEN CHAMPION Wendy Butler and Sisters II Whitney H RESERVE Tracey Barrett and DT Defender L2 OPEN CHAMPION Belinda Field-Dodgson and Reid n Dale Oregan RESERVE Holly Merritt and Geppetto L3 OPEN CHAMPION Diane Wallace and KP Dexter RESERVE Lorraine Ward-Smith and Fernlea Diamond Day
L8 OPEN CHAMPION Melissa Galloway and Windermere Johanson W RESERVE Barbara Chalmers and Rossellini L9 OPEN CHAMPION Catherine Tobin and I Like It PARA GRADE OPEN Caitlin Holmes and Harold George RESERVE Anthea Dixon and On Twilight
Photos & Video On Demand High quality photos and video on demand. Receive ALL the photos from your test (30-50) - never have to choose again! Videos of all World Dressage Challenge Tests are available to purchase now. Email: john@nzequine.co.nz for further details. 32 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
NZ Equine Photography John and Rhiannon Moss Phone: 027 693 7846 Email: john@nzequine.co.nz Facebook: nzequine
OUT AND ABOUT
1.
South Island Festival of Dressage - NZEquine 1. Some of the wonderful OC, judges and officials. 2. Belinda Field-Dodgson 3. Tessa van Bruggen, Diane Wallace and Lorraine WardSmith 4. Janelle Sangster-Ward and SWE Furstinberri 5. Melissa Galloway 2.
6. Jan Morice and Denmark
6.
3.
5.
4.
FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 33
RESULTS SERIES LEADERBOARDS
SI ZILCO DRESSAGE TO MUSIC LEADERBOARD The SI Zilco Dressage to Music Leaderboards provided plenty of entertainment and excitement at the SI Festival in late January. This was the eighth and final round of the SI Leaderboards. The stand out performer was again South Canterbury’s Fernlea Diamond Day with Lorraine WardSmith who was the only combination to score maximum points in the series and now has to wait until Horse of the Year Show to see if she can win the Zilco National Hi-Points Prize. It was great to see pony power in level 4, proving a tussle between Canterbury riders Dani Simpson and Millie Thompson for the top honours. The Advanced and Level 8 were dominated by Marlborough’s Melissa Galloway who also added points from her North Island campaign early in the season. A huge thanks to Zilco NZ for their support of this increasingly popular series which encourages riders to be inventive and artistic alongside the technical component in the early stages of their training towards the higher levels. It’s such a fun series for riders, spectators and supporters alike.
LEVEL 2 Belvoir
Linda Cocks
36
1
Geppetto
Holly Merritt
31
2
Corundum
Vivienne Young
19
3
Whispers Matapiro
Emma Rowe-Pledger
17
4
Glenview Caballero
Estrella Mooney
17
5
Fernlea Diamond Day
Lorraine Ward-Smith
52
1
KP Dexter
Diane Wallace
32
2
Vollrath Fuerst Patrick
Tracey Heywood
23
3
La Peregrina
Joan Adair
19
4
Gurteens Velevt
Rachel Thomas
19
5
Greenmoor Euphoria
Danielle Simpson
43
1
Rifesyde Prancer
Millie Thompson
40
2
Solo
Rebecca Rowlands
38
3
Fernando MH
Nicki Ford
29
4
Denmark
Jan Morice
17
5
Alliarna
Sonja McLachlan
33
1
Southwell Rendevouz
Rebecca Rowlands
28
2
Lodestar
Seija Parkkali-Glew
26
3
Integrities Promise
Danielle Simpson
17
4
Arnage Rhumba
Julie Fraser
15
5
Windermere Jobèi W
Melissa Galloway
36
1
Cordacious
Gillan Edgar
19
2
Caithness Masquerade
Anna Terrell
17
3
Astek Galahad
Nicola Maley
16
4
Westford Lanciano
Lauren Haig
16
5
Windermere Johanson W
Melissa Galloway
36
1
Rossellini
Barbara Chalmers
29
2
Stoneylea Gay Duchess II
Helen Williamson
10
3
Leo Dreams of Gold
Fiona Sharp
3
4
II Divo
Gael Kofoed
3
5
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
LEVEL 6/7
LEVEL 8
Nicola Maley, Robert Kofoed (Zilco) and Melissa Galloway at the recent SI Festival of Dressage. Photo: NZEquine
34 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
SERIES LEADERBOARDS SOUTH ISLAND SUPER 5 LEAGUE FINAL SERIES POINTS VETPRO EQUINE SUPPLEMENTS LEVEL 1
SOUTH ISLAND SUPER 5 LEAGUE
Sisters II Whitney H
Wendy Butler
43
1
Solitar Storm
Rilee McMeekin
30
2
D’Malia
Jane Crichton
27
3
SWE Sandera
Janelle Sangster-Ward
16
4
Lartego
Carol Pointon
14
5
MATTHEWS HANOVERIANS LEVEL 2 Corundum
Vivienne Young
33
1
The 2018 South Island Super 5 League Series and Finals wrapped up at the Tavern Harewood Festival. Dressage NZ Chair of selectors Helen Hughes-Keen was at the event and was impressed with the standard presented.
Whispers Matapiro
Emma Rowe-Pledger
23
2
Geppetto
Holly Merritt
21
3
Glenview Caballero
Estrella Mooney
19
4
Belvoir
Linda Cocks
17
5
Winners of the finals in south now must wait for the North Island Finals at the Bates Championships to know if they can keep a hold on the Super 5 national title which comes with a cash prize and trophy. Four of the SI Final winners, Diane Wallace, Melissa Galloway (two horses) and Kate Tobin will also contest the NI Final so it’s going to provide a grand finale to another “super” Super 5 League
HERITAGE EQUINE LEVEL 3
South Island Final Winners VETPRO EQUINE SUPPLEMENTS LEVEL 1 Sisters II Whitney H
Wendy Butler (Otago)
71.019%
MATTHEWS HANOVERIANS LEVEL 2 Corundum
Vivienne Young (Otago)
69.271%
HERITAGE EQUINE LEVEL 3 KP Dexter
Diane Wallace (Marlborough)
73.108%
Rebecca Rowlands (Southland)
71.171%
Seija Parkkali-Glew (Canterbury)
66.504%
FIBER FRESH LEVEL 5 Lodestar
Melissa Galloway (Marlborough)
71.373%
CUSTOM LOGISTIC LEVEL 7 Rakaunui Embracing
Jude Nickolls (Southland)
64.461%
ANDREA RAVES FETTERMAN LEVEL 8 Windermere Johanson W
Melissa Galloway (Marlborough)
65.125%
SUPERIOR RUBBER SURFACES LEVEL 9 I Like It
Kate Tobin (Wellington)
49
1
Gurteens Velvet
Rachel Thomas
30
2
KP Dexter
Diane Wallace
26
3
La Peregrina
Joan Adair
19
4
Fiorenza
Tessa Van Bruggen
16
5
DUNSTAN HORSEFEEDS LEVEL 4 Solo
Rebecca Rowlands
40
1
Greenmoor Euphoria
Danielle Simpson
37
2
Denmark
Jan Morice
26
3
Fernando MH
Nicki Ford
23
4
Gymnastik Gift
Rhiannon Moss
19
5
Southwell Rendevouz
Rebecca Rowlands
31
1
Arnage Rhumba
Julie Fraser
31
2
Alliarna
Sonja McLachlan
28
3
Lodestar
Seija Parkkali-Glew
22
4
Integrities Promise
Danielle Simpson
10
5
FIBER FRESH LEVEL 5
Windermere Jobèi W
Melissa Galloway
32
1
Profile
Diane Wallace
21
2
Caithness Masquerade
Anna Terrell
18
3
Astek Galahad
Nicola Maley
16
4
Gemstar
Pip Thompson
12
5
CUSTOM LOGISTIC LEVEL 7
HOBSON HORSECOACHES LEVEL 6 Windermere Jobèi W
Lorraine Ward-Smith
HOBSON HORSECOACHES LEVEL 6
DUNSTAN HORSEFEEDS LEVEL 4 Solo
Fernlea Diamond Day
57.529%
Cordacious
Gillian Edgar
19
1
Rakaunui Embracing
Jude Nickolls
18
2
Faemoss B.W
Sarah Wadworth
17
3
Frangelico F
Sophie Griffith
14
4
Westford Lanciano
Lauren Haig
12
5
29
1
Windermere Johanson W Melissa Galloway
26
2
II Divo
Gael Kofoed
5
3
Leo Dreams Of Gold
Fiona Sharp
3
4
ANDREA RAVES FETTERMAN LEVEL 8 Rossellini
Barbara Chalmers
FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 35
NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER
WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY 2018 | NORTH ISLAND (** Amended date) 10
Te Puke A&P 112th Lifestyle Show
Local
SG Rd, Te Puke
11
Dressage Waitemata Local Day
Local
Woodhill Sands
11
Dressage Wellington Summer Series
Training
Trentham Memorial Park
11
Northland Dressage Fundraising
Local
Barge Park SG
15/18
Bates National Championships
Back on Track Premier League
Manfeild Park
18
Taupo Dressage Group Accumulator
Training
Taupo NEC
25
Autumn Series Day 1
Local
Clevedon A & P SG
25
Gisborne Dressage Summer Tournament
Local
Gisborne SG
25
** Warkworth Dressage Group Local Day
Local
Warkworth A&P SG
MARCH 2018 | NORTH ISLAND 4
Dressage Wellington Summer Series
Training
Trentham Memorial Park
4
Waikato Equestrian Centre Autumn Dressage
Local
Waikato Equestrian Centre
13/18
Horse of the Year Show
INT/NAT/YDH Back on Track Premier League
Hawkes Bay A & P SG
18
Warkworth Dressage Group Local Day
Local
Warkworth A&P SG
25
Gisborne Dressage Autumn Series #1
Local
Gisborne Showgrounds
25
Taupo Dressage Group Accumulator day 2
Training
Taupo NEC
APRIL 2018 | NORTH ISLAND 7/8
Kaitaia Tournament
Local
Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds
8**
Horowhenua Dressage Autumn Tournament
Local
Foxton Racecourse
8
AMDG Autumn Series Day 2
Local
AMDG
8
Nth Hawkes Bay Autumn Series Day One
Local
Equestrian Park
8
Morrinsville/Te Aroha Ribbon day
Training
Waihou reserve
15
Dressage Waitemata Local Day
Local
Woodhill Sands
22
Gisborne Dressage Autumn Series #2
Local
Gisborne Showgrounds
22
Warkworth Dressage Group Local Day
Local
Warkworth A&P SG
25
Dressage Taranaki ANZAC Event
Local
Egmont A & P Showgrounds
29
Solway Dressage Autumn Ribbon Day Series #1
Training
Solway SG
NORTH ISLAND BACK ON TRACK PREMIER LEAGUE EVENTS 15/18 Feb
Bates National Championships CDI 3*/Y
Manfeild Park - Feilding
13/18 Mar
Horse of the Year Show CDI 3*/ Y
Hawkes Bay SG - Hastings
21/22 Apr
NZ U25 Dressage Championships
Taupo NEC
For more details of each event & venue, and contact details go to www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage/competition/calendar
36 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER FEBRUARY 2018 | SOUTH ISLAND 10/11
Otago Festival of Dressage
Local
Otago Taieri A&P SG
17/18
SCNO Summer Championship
Local
Winchester SG
18
NLEC Summer dressage
Local
Rangiora A & P SG
25
Dressage Marlborough Summer 3
Local
Marlborough Equestrian Park
25
NEG Day 2 Summer Series
Local
Harrs Road
MARCH 2018 | SOUTH ISLAND 4
Dressage Canterbury Autumn Series Day 1
Local
McLeans Island NEC
10/11
Dressage Otago Tournament
Local
Taieri A&P SG
17/18
Dressage Southland
Local
Gore A & P SG
18
NLEC Summer Dressage
Local
Rangiora A & P SG
25
NEG Day 3 Summer Series
Local
Harrs Road
APRIL 2018 | SOUTH ISLAND 1
Dressage Canterbury Autumn Series Day 1
Local
McLeans Island NEC
7/8
Dressage Southland Autumn
Local
Gore A & P SG
8
SCNO Graded & Training
Local
Winchester SG
14/15
Dressage Central Otago Autumn Tournament
Local
Cromwell Racecourse
14/15
ZILCO Festival of Future Stars
Local
McLeans Island NEC
15
NLEC Autumn Dressage
Local
Rangiora A & P SG
22
Dressage Ashburton Autumn Series
Training
Ashburton A & P SG
29
NEG April Day
Local
Harrs Road
Pony Levels 1-4, Young Rider Levels 1-9 Non Graded 12 Years & Under, Rider Equitation Classes Para Equestrian Under 25 Championships entries close on 31st March at www.equestrienentries.co.nz
Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Taupo 21 - 22 April 2018 www.nzequstrian.org.nz/dressage Find us on Facebook Dressage NZ U25 Championships
Go in the draw to win one of 3 free event t shirts FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 37
SEASON PREVIEW
SUMMER SEASON SERIES DRAWING TO A CLOSE
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/dressage-musical-spectacular-2018/feilding The national 2017-18 Super 5 League finals will wrap up at the Bates 20th National Championships but there is plenty of action still to come through until the end of April. In the north, the Horse of the Year Show in March will host the excitement of NI Finals of the Zilco Freestyle to Music Leaderboards and then we can announce the lucky winner of the national Zilco Hi-Points prize – a fabulous new Zilco cover of choice. Then the Equestrian Entries U25 Championships in April will see the winner of the AMS Saddlery Pony & Young Rider Performance League win a new saddle. Young horses and ponies feature strongly on the calendar in the autumn with Future Stars events in both islands at Christchurch and Taupo NEC’s. This is an ideal conclusion to the season for the future stars in our sport having had the season to consolidate in their different levels. For the very first time in its NZL history the FEI World Dressage Challenge will be held in the autumn rather than late spring, again the opportunity for combinations to show their best work following a season of quality competitions in the Back on Track Premier League. HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Hastings 13 -18 March 2018 This event features a CDI 3* / Y plus Young dressage horse classes for 4-7 year olds for the first time. Qualifications can be viewed on the ESNZ/Dressage website http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage/whats-new/news/2017/november/bateshttp://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage/whats-new/news/2017/november/bates-nationals-horse-of-the-year-qualifications/ nationals-horse-of-the-year-qualifications/ International Judges include: Mary Seefried and Maria Schwennesen (5*AUS) Hennning Lehrmann (4*GER) SI FESTIVAL OF FUTURE STARS NEC Christchurch 14/15 April 2018 Hosted by Dressage Canterbury – schedule to be advised NI FUTURE STARS FESTIVAL Taupo 19/22 April 2018 Incorporating the Elite Equine Young Horse Festival, the 2018 FEI World Dressage Challenge and the Equestrian Entries U25 National Dressage Championships Schedules to follow EQUESTRIAN ENTRIES NZ U25 NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS April 21/22 2018 - Taupo NEC Featuring the Hyland Pony Championship & Waldebago Young Rider Championship, York Corporation Inter-Island Team Challenge and the final round of the AMS Saddlery Pony & Young Rider Performance League. No prior qualification required. Entries only on www.equestrianentries.co.nz 38 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
SEASON PREVIEW
SUPER 5 DRESSAGE LEAGUE The 2017-18 Super 5 League comprises a points series in each island at all graded Levels 1-9 (top 5 points only to count) plus an island final at both the South Island Festival of Dressage and the Bates National Championships. National Super 5 rankings will be determined from % in each level at both these events. Tests used for Super 5 League at Premier League Events: Levels 1 to 5 - C Tests, Level 6 FEI PSG v 2017, Level 7 - FEI Intermediate I v 2017, Level 8 FEI Intermediate B v 2017, Level 9 Regional Events - FEI Intermediate II or Grand Prix 2017. South Island Festival of Dressage & Bates National Championships SRS Final - FEI Intermediate II 2017. Points table managed directly by Dressage NZ ZILCO MUSICAL FREESTYLE SERIES The crowd pleasing Zilco Musical Freestyle Series will be a feature again this season. The competition comprises two Island Series contested at Premier League Events (Top 5 scores to count). The North Island Series completes at the Horse of the Year Show and the South Island Series completes at the South Island Festival of Dressage. The series includes Levels 2 to 9 (Advanced levels 6/7 combined). Points table managed directly by Dressage NZ. Note: If events choose to split the 6/7 musicals into separate classes because of large numbers, then Leaderboard points may be awarded for each division subject to there being a minimum 15 starters in each class. If not the 5 highest % across both classes will be awarded points. ELITE EQUINE YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS The purpose of the competitions are to select the best young horse which is progressing on the correct way of training, with the potential to capably perform at International Dressage level. The Elite Equine National Young Horse Dressage Championship & Age Group Championships will be held at the Bates National Championships 15 –18 Feb 2018 at Manfeild Park. Elite Equine are also naming rights sponsors of the Young Horse Festival at Taupo NEC 19/20 April to be held in conjunction with the 2018 FEI World Dressage Challenge PRESTIGE EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE FUTURES PRIZE The Prestige Equestrian Futures Prize will be awarded to the best performed combination competing in the Super 5 League at Premier League Events from October 2017 – February 2018 and meeting the following eligibility conditions. 4 -10 year old horses competing at Levels 1 - 7 with riders who have no grading points in Level 8 or above on any horse. The prize is a fabulous Prestige Saddle. (Riders may only win the saddle prize once) Points table managed directly by Dressage NZ AMS SADDLERY PONY & YOUNG RIDER PERFORMANCE LEAGUE AMS Saddlery Pony & Young Rider Performance League aims to increase participation at a Pony & Young Rider level and to establish a culture where these riders compete against their peers of a similar age and experience. Every Premier League Event, will run Pony and Young Rider classes at Levels 1 and 2, plus scores will be taken from Super 5 tests at Level 3 and above. The league will culminate at the U25 NZ Pony & Championships in April 2018. Competitors must be 20 years or under at 1 August 2017 to participate. AMS League winner to receive a fabulous dressage saddle prize generously sponsored by AMS Saddlery (Auckland). Points table managed directly by Dressage NZ FEBRUARY 2018 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 39
SEASON PREVIEW
SUMMER SEASON SERIES DRAWING TO A CLOSE
FLYING HORSE MASTERS TOP TEN LEAGUE This competition is designed to promote dressage competition and participation for Masters Riders. The Flying Horse series provides an opportunity for riders to compete against peers at five different levels at all levels of events and competition regardless whether riders compete locally, regionally or nationally. The competition will be open to riders 50 years & over as at 1 January 2017 and is run in five main divisions plus special awards from 1st August 2017 until 30th April 2018. View full conditions and enter on www.equestrianentries.co.nz Entries only on www.equestrianentries.co.nz
YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE HERE sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz
ALLINFLEX AMATEUR TOP TEN LEAGUE The AllinFlex Amateur Top Ten League id held from 1 August 2017 until 30th April 2018. The competition is open to Category CN - C5 riders aged 21yrs and over as at 1 August 2017 (C5 riders have less than 15 Level 6 or above points) Riders must be annual competitive members of the ESNZ. All participating horses must be ESNZ registered and have an annual dressage for Dressage. View full conditions and enter on www.equestrianentries.co.nz Entries only on www.equestrianentries.co.nz HORSE SPORTS YOUNG RIDER AMATEUR TOP TEN LEAGUE Pony & Young Riders who have earned less than 15pts points at level 5 or above, and are competing on horses or ponies up to Level 4 at 1/8/17 can compete in the Horse Sports League. All participating riders, ponies & horses must be fully ESNZ registered and horses and ponies must have an annual start for dressage. Scores from 1/8/17 until 30/4/18 will count towards the Horse Sports League. Level 1 horses & ponies must be competed by riders with less than 15 Level 3 or above points at 1/8/17, Level 2 by riders with less than 15 Level 4 or above points and Level 3 & 4 and above by riders with less than 15 points at level 5 and above as at 1/8/17. The top 10 scores in graded competitions will count. In the event of a tie, the ave Top 10 score will win. There will be rosettes for the top placed horse and top placed pony in each area, plus national champions and reserves in all six divisions. View full conditions and enter on www.equestrianentries.co.nz Entries only on www.equestrianentries.co.nz
40 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2018
DIRECTORY
DRESSAGE DIRECTORY Dressage Area Group Websites and other useful links.
Equestrian Sports NZ/Dressage www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage www.facebook.com/DressageNZ www.facebook.com/EquestrianSportsNZ www.facebook.com/DressageNZU25Championships www.facebook.com/StableoftheStallions Dressage Bay of Islands www.sporty.co.nz/bayofislandsdressagegroup Dressage Northland www.sporty.co.nz/dressagenorthland
Dressage Central Districts www.sportsground.co.nz/dressagecentraldistricts
Dressage Waitemata www.dressagewaitemata.co.nz
Dressage Taranaki www.dressagetaranaki.co.nz
Dressage Warkworth www.warkworthdressage.webs.com
Dressage Wellington www.dressagewellington.org.nz
Dressage Auckland - Manukau www.amdg.org.nz
Dressage Horowhenua www.horowhenuadressage.com
Dressage Waikato www.dressagewaikato.co.nz
Dressage Wairarapa www.dressagewairarapa.com
Dressage Morrinsville -Te Aroha www.mtdg.co.nz
Dressage Nelson www.nelsondressage.webs.com
Dressage Gisborne www.gisbornedressage.org.nz
Dressage Marlborough www.sporty.co.nz/marlboroughdressage
Dressage Bay of Plenty www.dressagebayofplenty.co.nz
Dressage Canterbury www.canterburydressage.co.nz
Dressage Eastern Bay of Plenty www.sportsground.co.nz/ebd
Dressage Otago www.dressageotago.webs.com
Dressage Rotorua www.sporty.co.nz/dressagerotorua
Dressage Southland www.dressage-southland.com
Dressage Tauranga www.dressagetauranga.co.nz
National Equestrian Centres www.nzequestrian.org.nz
Dressage Taupo www.sporty.co.nz/taupodressagegroup
Tielcey Park Equestrian Centre www.tielceypark.co.nz (Manawatu)
Dressage Northern Hawkes Bay www.sporty.co.nz/dressagenhb
North Loburn Equestrian Centre www.nlec.co.nz (Canterbury)
Dressage Central Hawkes Bay www.sportsground.co.nz/chbdressage
Northern Equestrian Group www.freewebs.com/northerneq (Canterbury)
Dressage Southern Hawkes Bay www.sportsground.co.nz/shbdressage
Northgate Lodge www.northgatelodgeequestrian.com (Northland)
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