Dressage NZ Bulletin Issue 44 August 2020

Issue 44 | August 2020

Breeding FURST HIT EDH

from Elite Dressage Horses

HIGH PERFORMANCE SQUADS ANNOUNCED Hello to a new lifestyle ¯ Sarah Wilkinson PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT - EQUINE LAW Feeding youngstock ¯ with Hygain HOLLY MOORMAN & BRIGID GRAY

EDITORIAL

GUEST EDITORIAL WELCOME TO ISSUE FORTY FOUR OF THE DRESSAGE NZ BULLETIN

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YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE HERE sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz

ver since running the National Dressage Champs in 2019, I’ve had a new appreciation for just how much time and energy some of our volunteers put in to ensure our shows happen. It’s not just the long hours at the show, it’s also all the behind the scenes work that goes in before and after that no one sees. For months leading up to Nationals, all my evenings and weekends were consumed with emails, phone calls, meetings and everything else that goes into organising a show. It was a lot of work, and I was so thankful for the fantastic team of volunteers I had supporting me and helping me through it all.

These are the amazing people that make our sport possible, and we need more of them to keep it moving forward.

As riders, it is up to us to continue to put our hands up to help, and not always rely on the same volunteers to do everything. And since that show and witnessing firsthand just how many amazing and passionate people we have in this sport, I’ve been inspired to keep getting involved in any way I can. So, when the role of Marketing and Communications Manager came up, it seemed like a fantastic way for me to give back to the sport I love.

I am honored to have been appointed on the Dressage NZ board. I was a bit apprehensive at first. I have a busy life – I work full time in a demanding marketing role and have three horses in work. But I truly believe if you are passionate about something, you will find the time and you make it work.

With my first board meeting coming up next month, I am excited to see what we can achieve over the next few years.

Alicia

Alicia Cameron

While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter contained herein. The reader of this publication assumes all responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional. The Dressage NZ Bulletin asserts copyright on all material published within abode and none of it shall be reproduced, wholly or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

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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 2020 Cover Image: Victoria Wall and First Hit EDH Photo: Christine Cornege

CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

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THE FUTURE IS NOW

HELLO TO A NEW LIFESTYLE

FEEDING YOUNGSTOCK

MARKETING FOR THE NOW

We profile Furst Hit EDH and Victoria Wall from Elite Dressage Horses...

Sarah Wilkinson has taking the plunge and relocated to the UK with her two horses...

Feeding your foals, weanlings and yearlings with Hygain...

Chanelle Reid shares 6 tips on how to develop a loyal following...

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28

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36

NATIONAL NEWS

HOLLY MOORMAN

SI TRAINING CLINICS

OUR PEOPLE

For the season ahead and from the recent AGM and conference...

Holly shares with us how life has been in Germany during Covid, there's been plenty to do...

Barbara Chalmers and Melanie van der Pol review both training clinics...

Focusing on Judith Newton & Clare Banks...

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 3

BREEDING FEATURE

THE FUTURE IS NOW Article by Wendy Hamerton Photos by Christine Cornege

He is black, he is beautiful and he is the perfect mid-size 16.3hh. The four-year-old Furst Hit EDH brings tremendous depth of super sire blood to New Zealand breeders.

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BREEDING FEATURE

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urst Hit EDH's sire Furstenball (Furst Heinrich/Maradonna) brings tremendous rideability and consistent temperament. He has already been firmly recognised as a sire of beautiful horses, easy to train and able to be enjoyed by amateurs as well as professional riders. They might say Furstenball sires “ladies horses”, but enough are coming through now to Grand Prix with international riders aboard to prove he’s not a one trick pony. A great example of this is the nine-year old Danish warmblood mare Heiline’s Danciera (by Furstenball x De Niro) who represented Denmark at the World Young Horse Championships 2016, 2017 and 2018 with Carina Krüth. The pair went straight from developing Prix St Georges to Grand Prix in 2019 and then scored 74.48% in Grand Prix and 80.11% at the Herning CDI.

Friday's dam is the very special imported Sandro Hit x Jazz mare Neversfeld Jazz Hit. Victoria regards Josie as her very best investment ever. “She is my golden goose” she jokes. But really it’s not a joke. Her progeny so far have been exceptional.

Josie’s sire, Sandro Hit, is probably the most famous Hanoverian sire of modern times, having sired a staggering number of licensed sons to date. Both his progeny and that of Jazz (Josies dam sire) are seen littering top international competitions worldwide including the Olympics and WEG. No one could really argue that Jazz isn’t the most famous and influential KPWN sire to date. His blood is more often than not seen in the pedigree of most successful Dutch dressage horses. If you look further back in Josie’s pedigree you will also find Koenigsberg T, a famous German warmblood show jumping sire, who competed all his life and sired both Grand Prix show jumpers and Grand Prix dressage horses.

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 5

BREEDING FEATURE

“I think that is where the extra edge of quality comes from. Yes, the first two generations are very important, and it’s hard to improve on that with Friday, but it’s that earlier strong blood that sets some horses apart. I am always in interested in that old blood across four and five generations, especially on the dam side, because the mare influence is so strong. I also love jumping or TB blood in my mares.

An athlete is an athlete and they always bring a great hind leg.”

The plan for this lovely stallion is to compete in the Young Dressage Horse competitions later this year and focus on licensing now he has been approved. “He is not yet four, so I am very mindful it is what you do with them now which determines whether you are still riding them at thirteen or fourteen.

So many horses are broken when they are babies. Their spine and sacroiliac does not stabilise and fuse until they are six, their hocks not until they are 4-5yrs and at 3-4yrs are just not capable of dressage training proper daily without repercussions later. So much as I love training Friday, I am having to sit on my hands a bit.

He offers collection already, and I cannot say no because I will want that very soon, so I just don’t get on him much!”

Furst Hit EDH is based in the Waikato at Elite Dressage Horses 6 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

in Whatawhata. He does all his collecting at Equibreed and they handle the co ordinating of mare owners . “Its just easier for me. I am involved with Elite Equine Nutrition and have three horses in work at the moment and I like to keep the breeding part separate from riding and training. I want to make it easy for him to compartmentalise his job and stay focused and happy. He knows when the truck ramp goes down and Travis is waiting for him, then it’s all on … when he is not, it is business as usual!”

If you ask Victoria what her plans and goals for her breeding operation, it is clear that she does indeed know where she is going. “I am so

passionate about our dressage journey as a country and we are improving so incredibly fast, faster than any other country actually, but I am mindful of the horsepower we need to get to the podium. Look at riders like Simone Pearce and Charlotte Fry who ride for Sprehe and Van Olst. They are riding just incredible horses. These horses have more talent than we have seen before. They are continually rolling off the production line in Europe and getting better all the time. They are also unaffordable. The quality of NZ bred horses is skyrocketing thanks to some very ingenious choices by NZ breeders, so we just need to keep the momentum

BREEDING FEATURE and focus on producing horses of this quality here in New Zealand.

Unless we have our own horses of this quality, it will not matter how well we ride. I think we need to stop just thinking about following what they are doing overseas and get right up there with it. Yes, we need riders who can ride these horses, but we already have that. Often the best riders are not the wealthiest so breeding and buying foals is more affordable way of owning a very good horse. Once they are under saddle the good ones can be sold on the international market for mega bucks. We need to keep training and focus on breeding horses that can foot it with these super horses. It is totally do-able but we need to be fussier about our mares if you want to breed a top international horse. I always think your mare needs to be so good that if she popped out as a foal you’d be happy.”

Victoria has a three old black Furst Romancier mare that she thinks is international quality. This mare was embryo transferred last season so she could ride her. “ But then I thought, this is stupid and departing from the plan. She is so good she should be producing a foal every year… she is actually worth more doing that! I changed my mind and she will be bred this year and carry the foal herself.

I cannot wait to see the foal she produces to Furst Hit EDH in around 3 months from now.”

Victoria’s breeding plan is to use both her own stallion and a select few sires from Europe to introduce different blood through the mares.

The goal is to breed another stallion to stand alongside Furst Hit EDH at some stage depending on the fortunes of the breeding gods!

Furst Hit EDH will be available as fresh/chilled after the National Dressage Championships November 2020. Frozen semen is available for earlier mares. $2000 gst incl excluding collections LFG. Victoria Wall - Elite Dressage Horses Email: xhaltnz@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 027 282 7944 www.elitedressagehorsesnz.com

The legendary Sandro Hit (Friday's Dam Sire)

Friday's sire Furstenball

Although young and still developing, Furst Hit EDH makes a striking impression with his famous bloodlines ever present in his appearance and type.

Furst Hit EDH - Rheinland 2016 Black colt, EMH 16.3hh by Furstenball x Sandro Hit x Jazz FUERST HEINRICH

FLORESTAN I DARWINA

FURSTENBALL

DONNERHALL

MARADONNA MARELLA

FURST HIT EDH

FIDELIO RAUTE DONNERHALL WIBKE DONNERWETTER NINETTE CLASSIKER MAUREEN

SANDRO SONG

SANDRO

LORETTA

ANTENNE II

SANDRO HIT NEVERSFELDE JAZZ HIT JAZZ KPWN

COCKTAIL CHARMANTE

NEVERSFELDE JULIA NEVERSFELDE FARIKA

KOENIGSBERG T

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 7

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

HELLO TO A NEW LIFESTYLE Article by Wendy Hamerton

After four years in Germany, Sarah Wilkinson and her partner Jack have made the bold move to a UK lifestyle.What they didn’t expect was to move a week before lockdown!

Hello, Gareth Hughes & Sarah Wilkinson are all smiles after a training session Photo Sophie Taylor

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“

I learnt so much while I was working and riding in Germany, and in those four years and I was so lucky to experience riding so many different horses and learning from different trainers. It was great learning from Ellen ( SchultenBaumer) and Tom (Berg) .They taught me so much which I’ve taken on in my own training and also how a professional dressage stable is run.

But ultimately we found living in Germany was a long way from home, family and friends, and Jack and I both missed that a lot. The German culture is completely different to NZ and while we tried to make our life in Germany as homely as possible we decided it wasn’t for us long term. We love it here in the UK so far; the culture is so similar to home in NZ. Jack has family here and better work opportunities. I’ve been overwhelmed by the help we’ve had from people here. And obviously the UK equestrian scene is great for me.”

Sarah has always really liked the riding style in Britain “It somehow looked more suited to my body type so I was so excited to start training here. I was often being told I needed to weigh more to be able to make it all work with my riding but I didn’t like ‘strong heavy riding’. I’m small so don’t have much weight behind me to really drive the horse. I need to use my body and seat differently compared to someone heavier. Gareth has been really good with that as he recognises what works for me instead of getting me to ride in such a driving way where it’s not possible for me to make it work.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Being able to spend more time with her horses has been an upside and finding GBR team member Gareth Hughes as her regular trainer has been a real bonus. “In just the last couple of months training with him I’ve experienced a big improvement with Hello and my five-year-old Koko.

I really like Gareth’s training style - he’s so good at pinpointing the issues I know I’ve been having. That gives me a lot of confidence to improve them by myself. I’m very black and white by nature, and Gareth is so confident in what will improve and fix movements, it makes it so much easier for me to put the theory into action” Their new stable base is with an Australian eventer, Sammi Birch, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire “It’s so relaxing here and my horses have settled in so well, I think they love the change too plus it’s just a short drive from where Jack and I live. It was scary and difficult moving countries with two horses, especially when I didn’t really have many contacts but now it’s done we’re so happy and really enjoying it here. Now that lockdown has eased competitions are livening up and we are in a really good spot for them.

Within an hour there are a dozen good venues. Cirencester really is an equestrian hub!

Without doubt, Hello's (now officially named Horacio) UK debut has been impressive. At their first

outing which was according to Sarah “a bit of a tester to see where were at”, they scored a 67.36 in the advanced medium for a first place and then went on to an event at Hunters Equestrian Centre near Cirencester scoring two wins on 74.34% and 75.29% in Advanced Medium. Prix St Georges is the plan for next season. Koko (Desperado/ Johnson) just had his first outing for two wins in Novice at 80.42% and Elementary with 76.38% (also at Hunters Equestrian).

A BIT ABOUT GARETH...

British born Gareth Hughes spent much of his childhood competing in a variety of equine sports including Dressage, Showing, in hand and Western riding whilst living in Australia. He returned to England, aged 23, and worked initially at Broadstone Stud, Paradise Farm in Oxfordshire.

Sarah & Koko Photo Picture Pure

After six months Gareth moved to the North West of England where he began freelancing and in 1999 he was offered a horse to ride and introduced himself to Stephen Clarke, whom he then based himself with. Stephen has been one of Gareth’s main influences throughout his career.

In 2001 he first set up his own yard in Cheshire and in 2004 moved back to Paradise Farm in Oxfordshire to launch Aspen Grove Dressage with one of his owners Mrs Ann Newton. In 2011 Gareth, with his wife Rebecca, moved onto their own premises in Warwickshire and Hughes Dressage was born.

Over the past 10 years, Gareth has amassed more than 60 National and International Titles including International wins both in the UK and abroad. He is a member of Team GBR with numerous Nation Cup wins and European and World Equestrian team medalist.

Photo Kevin Sparrow

2019 was a hugely successful year with Gareth being in the top ten individually at the Europeans Championships and earning nine international titles.

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 9

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Gareth Hughes & Classic Briolinca in Rotterdam Photo: Liz Gregg

ON THE TOKYO OLYMPICS I am in the very lucky position to have four Grand Prix horses. But with the change from this year to Tokyo 2021? – let’s hope it does happen.

I have a couple of vey promising prospects for Tokyo. My main mare Classic Briolinca was a team horse at the European Championships in 2019. She has a very good chance of getting on the British OG team. But it’s a tough team to get on with a lot of very high scoring horses. We are very much working towards selection for next year.

We spoke with Gareth Hughes ON THE TRAINER – RIDER RELATIONSHIP I would say most important thing is trust. The rider must have a lot of faith in the trainer. To train any horse to a high level takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of experience from the trainer. So that trainer has got to know when it is the right to push and press harder and when to back off. The trainer must know when it is the right time to push the rider out of their comfort zone when training the things that are new to them. The rider has to have a lot of trust and confidence in the trainer when they are asked to do things that are new to them during the learning stages.

When you are learning you fail a lot so the rider needs to be confident that they are being asked to go in the right way and they will come out the other side. This is especially so when you are training people over a long 10 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

term. In our industry the trainer-rider relationship is a very personal one.

Trust and confidence are the two main requirements in a successful relationship.

ON AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND I have visited Australia a lot. I trained the Australian eventing team from 2012 until last year so had a lot of trips down under. I grew up south of Brisbane and still have family there, so it was nice to go and see them. New Zealand is a country I never managed to get to even when I lived in Australia. Sarah Wilkinson is the only New Zealand rider I train at the moment but who knows once we get through this terrible period that the world is experiencing at the moment - who knows in the future that there may be a trip that could happen…

This year they’ve pretty much stopped the sport (because of Covid) so we are now doing very few international competitions as there is nothing to qualify for and its quite expensive always going across the water to the continent. So, now many of us are just doing a lot of training and a lot of national shows. We’ve done a couple of mock competitions with some FEI 5* judges which has been really good – probably the closest thing to a selection trial we’ve had so all the horses are ticking along.

Next year sounds a long way away but it’s not. By the time we get through this summer period and into winter before you know it you’ve only got a few months before they start thinking about selections. We are all proactively working towards it – we all have an idea about what we think or hope our chances are – it should be quite an exciting period.

British Dressage is very strong – it makes it very tough, but it does make it exciting - it’s a team that’s very competitive for the medals so again if you’re in a team like that, it’s very competitive to get on and now that the Olympic format has only three riders in a team, it makes it even harder – so it will be interesting.

If Tokyo doesn’t happen next year then hopefully they will reinstate the Europeans which were cancelled this year otherwise it will be two years without a championship and that does have a big knock on effect through the industry.

The ultimate breeding feed.

with Hygain Balanced that they receive as they are getting closer to foaling down and we maintain this diet while they are feeding their foal at foot.

Once the foals start eating some hard feed, they also enjoy the combination of Tru Breed and Balanced with lucerne chaff and Hygain Fibressential

”

Kristy Jarvis, Dynamik Stallions

Tru Breed® is an extruded feed designed to match the complex feeding management of stallions, pregnant and lactating mares and growing horses. Tru Breed provides a balance of digestible energy, soluble fibre, quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals with controlled levels of starch (low GI) for optimum digestive health. High in essential amino acids, promoting maximized milk quality and lactation duration, fertility and optimal growth and development of the musculoskeletal system.

A diet for healthy mares and happy foals.

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 11

Eric Lloyd Photography

our mares hit late gestation in the third trimester, Hygain Tru Breed is “ Once added to their feeds. We slowly increase the amount of Tru Breed combined

NUTRITION

FEEDING FOALS, WEANLINGS & YEARLINGS Article by Tania Cubitt, PhD - Consulting Nutritionist to Hygain

Fewer topics in equine nutrition stir more controversy than feeding the growing horse.

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any factors add to the confusion of providing nutrition throughout these critical stages of life. For example, growing horses may have different commercial end points. Some will be shown in halter futurities where maximum growth and condition are required at a young age. Others will be prepared for sale, again requiring a “well-grown” individual and many will be kept on the farm to be used as replacement horses or future performance horses. These horses often have less pressure on them to look their best at a young age.

A healthy foal will grow rapidly, gaining in height, weight and strength almost before your eyes.

From birth to age two, a young horse can achieve 90 percent or more

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of its full adult size, sometimes putting on as much as 1.5kg per day.

Feeding young horses is a balancing act, as the nutritional start a foal gets can have a profound effect on its health and soundness for the rest of its life. As the foal’s dietary requirements shift from milk to feed and forage, your role in providing adequate nutrition is vital.

The critical nutrients for growth are protein (amino acids), minerals and vitamins. Nutrition imbalances have been recognized as one potential cause of growth disorders in young growing horses. Therefore, it is important that the diets of young horses be properly balanced with nutrients known to be vital for optimum development.

When you plan a feeding program for your young horses, several important factors need to be considered: • Body changes involved in growth, • Nutrient requirements of that particular breed of horse, • The feed’s nutrient content, • Anatomical limitations of a young horses’ digestive system.

For example, you cannot feed young horses’ low-energy, bulky feeds because their digestive tracts are not large enough.

Instead, young horses need concentrated sources of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to meet their nutritive needs.

NUTRITION

THE NURSING FOAL

THE WEANLING

THE YEARLING

Foals will meet their nutritional requirements in their first 2-3 months of age from the mare’s milk and pasture. If a foal and mare are in good condition, the foal does not need to start creep feeding until it is at least 2 months old. However, some may need to start creep feeding by 30 days of age. In the third month of lactation the mare’s milk production drops while the foal’s nutritional needs keep increasing. Therefore, foals have a nutrient gap. Creep feeding (that is, using feed that the mare cannot get to) can provide the foal with extra nutrients to fill this gap.

Generally foal performance decreases immediately after weaning. To minimize this “post weaning slump,” make sure foals are consuming enough dry feed at weaning to meet their requirements. One way of doing so is by creep feeding. Managing growth during this time is very important because excessive weight gain may cause bone abnormalities and long-lasting skeletal problems.

As a yearling’s growth rate slows considerably by the age of 12 months, yearlings can consume more kilograms of dry matter.

Therefore, they need lower nutrient concentrations in their ration. Feed grain to yearlings at approximately 0.5 to 1.5 kg/100 kg of body weight.

Even though yearlings require only 12% crude protein in the total ration, a 14% crude protein concentrate ration gives you more flexibility. With this level, even if you use different types of hays with protein variations, the horse will still get enough protein. A 400 kg yearling may receive 1.5 to 2kg of concentrate per day plus free choice hay or pasture. The amount of concentrate required varies due to forage quality and quantity.

Several aspects of creep feeding are very important: • Start creep feeding when foals are about 8 to 12 weeks old. Make sure the feed is fresh daily and that foals are consuming it adequately.

• Use a creep feeder designed so that mares cannot gain access and so that foals will not be hurt.

If you do not want a field type feeder, you can tie the mare in her stable, allowing the foal to eat.

• Put the creep feeder where mares gather frequently.

• Feed the creep feed at a rate of 1% of the foal’s body weight per day (max – 1 kg/100 kg of body weight).

• Choose a feed that will be easy for the foal’s baby teeth to chew such as a pelleted feed like HYGAIN® PRODIGY® or HYGAIN TRU BREED®.

Hygain Prodigy®

Feed weaned foals on a combination diet. Firstly, they should be fed good quality forage. They should have access to all the good quality hay they will consume and allowed all the voluntary exercise they want. Research has shown that exercise strengthens bone, increases cortical thickness and makes for a sound future athlete.

Secondly, weanlings should be fed concentrates between 0.5kg – 1.5kg per day as per the recommendations listed on the product bag. Be careful not to feed weanlings too much concentrate.

If you feed them high levels of concentrates, they will grow more rapidly and this rapid growth may harm skeletal and tendon development. Therefore, adjust feed intake to avoid overfeeding.

By the time yearlings are 18 months old (known as long yearlings), their growth rate has slowed even further. Although long yearlings only require 10% protein, you do not need to formulate a new ration for them. You can feed them the same ration as a 12 month yearling. As horses have highly individual requirements, you need to adjust feed consumption to account for changes in individual condition. Therefore, you must combine your knowledge of nutrition, your eye for condition and common sense to make the final adjustments on feed intake.

Hygain Tru Breed® AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 13

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PUT IT ON PAPER PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT with Megan Gundesen, of FairPlay Equine

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t doesn't matter if you're starting out in Dressage and looking to buy your first horse or if selling and buying horses is how you make a living. As the value and quality of horses improves so too do the requirements for a professional etiquette in dealing with equine business negotiations.

equestrian lawyer Megan Gundesen has created a database of user friendly horse agreements.

“Having a written agreement promotes quality communication at the point of sale. People need to be clear about their liability and risk." explains Megan.

When you have found the right horse or the right purchaser, avoid the deal going wrong by capturing the agreement in a fast, easy, and affordable way.

An increase in demand has sees the launch of a boutique equine legal service that goes by the name of Fairplay Equine. Taranaki

Four simple steps for creating the perfect sales/purchase contract...

1

2

Buy the agreement which suits the level of coverage required (from simple to comprehensive).

Answer the required questions online.

Try out Megan’s FREE Hold Agreement – or see how an online automated interview works. (A Hold Agreement ensures the seller does not sell the horse before you get there to view it). https://autom.io/o/fairplay/985036c0-916c-11e9-9beb-93f31693fa27/embed

3 Receive and revise your agreement.

The ultimate protection All for the price of your horse's next winter rug!

THE FAIRPLAY EQUINE SALE & PURCHASE SYSTEM...

HORSE SALE & PURCHASE AGREEMENTS FROM $195

• Is designed for the first pony buyer to the top sporting competitor • Includes an automated legal interview for free • Gives you free Fact Sheets and Checklists to make it all feel much easier • Gives you confidence that you have the legal issues covered

• Available for a simple sale • Sale with a trial period • Sale with a vet check • Sale with both a trial and a vet check AND MORE TO COME…

• Grazing Agreement • Horse Lease Agreement • Payment by Instalment • Riding School Shared Use Agreement

www.fairplay.co.nz | equine@fairplay.co.nz | 027 464 8859 14 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

4 Finalise and sign off your wonderful new agreement. Enjoy your new equine partner!

NATIONAL NEWS

Above Hannah front row second from L with her fellow junior officers Middle Hannah on Moby''ll Do at Gisborne Champs Right Hannah on her graduation day

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? From a CDIY rider to a Warfare Officer

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hakatane’s Hannah Van der Horst first emerged on the dressage scene nine years ago on the cutest pony called Spiceacool. From there she graduated to I Romulus at Advanced Medium then to Mobý’ll Do at CDIY level at the 2017 National Championships and Horse of the Year Show.

When she completed her time at Whakatane High School it was off to France for a year on a Rotary Youth Exchange Programme. On her return she spent a year working in Bunnings Whakatane Store. During that time she was grateful to pick up the ride on Astronamour owned by

Louise Seebeck. And even now she still has a hankering to be involved with horses. Her mum Janine chuckles and says ”She wouldn’t say no if an Aucklander needed a hand from time to time to scratch an itch!”

Hannah says “But I had been thinking about it (the navy) for a few years. I have an uncle in the Reserves and he suggested it would be something I would enjoy. I had a look online and found things that sounded like me. The travel and meeting new people also appealed”.

Twenty-year-old Hannah recently graduated from the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Junior Officer

Common Training class 20/01 at Devonport Naval Base. Her official title now reads Midshipman Hannah Van der Horst. Her training ran across the Level 4 lockdown, meaning her officer training was extended from 22 to 27 weeks .

“That was pretty rough for all of us having five weeks in lockdown. We still trained to a modified schedule.

Our classes were in three separate bubbles, and we connected by Zoom. We could do things like our history essays and mindfulness training, but there’s things you can’t do when you can’t have instructors within two metres. But I was with an awesome group of people to be with for five weeks.

The toughest part of the course was when the team role-played a Navy team helping with disaster relief in an island country with civil unrest” says Hannah. ”That was physically and mentally challenging, but it’s an awesome test of how far you’ve come, and it allows you to put your leadership skills into practice.”

Hannah has plans to return to her old school to give a talk to the students.

“I’ll tell them, take every opportunity that comes your way.

If you don’t take it, you’ll wonder, ‘what if’?”

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 15

NATIONAL NEWS

DRESSAGE NZ & ESNZ HIGH PERFORMANCE SQUADS 2020/21 YOUTH SQUAD Rebecca Williamson & Don Tobio

Waitemata

Stephanie Baker & Popstar MH

Waitemata

Morgan Beere & Redwood Furst Affair

Waikato

Lucy Cochrane & Gymanji

Canterbury

Reece Downham-Smith & Georgia MH

Northland

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

1.

Wendi Williamson & Don Vito MH

Waitemata

Wendi Williamson & Bon Jovi MH

Waitemata

Casey Burton & Fanfare MH

Northland

Mandy Littlejohn & Dolce Vita RB

Central Districts

Rebecca McKee & Solo

Southland

Kellie Hamlett & Astek Geromino

Bay of Plenty

Vanessa Way & NRM Timbermill Prequel

Taranaki

Haydee Wells-Parmenter & Royal Dream

Auckland

Haydee Wells-Parmenter & Foxleigh Mr Darcy

Auckland

Tessa Van Bruggen & Fiorenza

Marlborough

Amanda Berridge & GS O Jay

Waikato

Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Day

SCNO

SMALL TOUR SQUAD 2.

Brina Carpenter & Leo Donna

Auckland

Chanel Flyger & Hot Chocolate MH

Waitemata

BIG TOUR SQUAD

3.

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Vanessa Way & NSC Pronto

Taranaki

Amy Sage & RM All About Me

Waikato

Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore

Waikato

Victoria Wall & Letty Lei EDH

Waikato

Kieryn Walton & Rosari Don Carlos

Waikato

Melissa Galloway & Windermere Johanson W

Marlborough

1. Melissa Galloway & Windermere J'Obei W 2. Lucy Cochrane & Gymanji 3. Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Day

NATIONAL NEWS

4.

5.

ESNZ HIGH PERFORMANCE Wendi Williamson & Don Amour MH

Waitemata

John Thompson & JHT Chemistry

Australia

Melissa Galloway & Windermere J'Obéi W

Marlborough

HIGH PERFORMANCE FUTURES Chelsea Callaghan & Sisters II Etta J

Wellington

Christine Weal & Schindlers Liszt

Waikato

Gaylene Lennard & Jax Johnson

Waikato 6.

4. Brina Carpenter & Leo Donna 5. Tessa Van Bruggen & Fiorenza 6. Vanessa Way & NRM Timbermill Prequel 7. Wendi Williamson & Don Vito MH 5. Gaylene Lennard & Jax Johnson 8.

7.

All Photos: Libby Law

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AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 17

MARKETING

6 WAYS TO DEVELOP A LOYAL FOLLOWING Article by Chanelle Reid, ICE Marketing

Loyalty and customer relations go hand in hand with marketing. Without these two pieces, the marketing puzzle will never successfully fit together.

This month, I wanted to share with you 6 Ways to Develop a Loyal Following. Some or all these practical ideas can be implemented into your equestrian business and apply to everything from professional riders to coaches to retailers to brands.

Equestrian Marketing Specialists The equestrian market is one that requires intimate knowledge and understanding to be able to successfully market people and products.

If you are a brand, product, rider, breeder, retailer or coach that needs to capture the attention of an equestrian audience, we are here to work alongside you to achieve your goals.

www.icemarketing.co.nz/equestrian Chanelle Reid chanelle@icemarketing.co.nz | 021 446 642 | Follow us on social www.icemarketing.co.nz/equestrian | chanelle@icemarketing.co.nz | 021 446 642 @icemarketingnz | Follow us on social @icemarketingnz

18 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

MARKETING BE CONSISTENT: Success comes from what you do consistently, not occasionally.

In relation to developing a loyal following, you will need to be consistent with your connection and communication with them. If you are creating regular content, if you are consistently answering comments and messages and engaging, this will go a long way toward cementing a loyal following.

Prioritise consistent effort and input.

ADD VALUE: There are lots of little ways that you can add value to your clients/ followers, without huge expense or effort. For coaches, it can be adding some extra time to a lesson (if you don’t have someone else waiting), for retailers it can be adding in a bonus for a customer that purchases a big ticket item, for professional riders it can be contacting your sponsor and offering them some time at their trade stall at Horse of the Year show (for example).

You could also consider adding value through your online forums, which could be in the form of free educational videos to your group or fans on social media.

SHOW APPRECIATION: Showing appreciation is something that can be overlooked in our fast paced, modern lifestyle. There are so many ways you can do this for your customers/followers and again, it does not have to be expensive. You could start writing hand written cards to thank clients who have been loyal to your services or given you referrals, you could take the time to personally message your clients via text or send a voice message on their birthdays, you could give a little gift bag to clients who book your stallion service.

These can only take you a few moments or a few dollars, but they have a big impact on the person you are doing it for. It is a remarkably simple and effective way to stand out from the competition and give your fans and customers something to rave about.

GIVE WITHOUT EXPECTING TO RECEIVE: Building a loyal following can be a thankless task sometimes! It might feel like you are doing all sorts of things for your followers or customers and do not feel like you are receiving anything in return.

It is that expectation on your side that can turn to resentment and it is important to reframe your thoughts, so you do not fall into this trap. Whilst we all like to be treated as we treat others and it should be a two-way street, there can be countless reasons why this sometimes is not how things end up. If you are adding value to others, either through online content, added extras or going above and beyond in some way, you need to be doing this because it is part of your business/brand promise rather than from a place of expectation to receive in return. Whilst many times, this will pay off tenfold, there will always be times when it goes seemingly unnoticed, and this can make you feel resentful or even like you should change your actions, but it is important to rise above this.

The saying “givers gain” still holds strong and it does so much more for our internal wellness and brand promise to be someone who can give without expectation to receive.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES: Networking and meeting other people in the equestrian space can be unbelievably valuable to your connections. Putting some consideration into this can be another way to build strong loyalty to your brand/service. You might choose to collaborate with other professionals in this space to add more education or learning opportunities for your following.

You could also make an effort to connect potential businesses together from your client pool, this could be within or outside the equestrian space. Setting up groups or communities on social media to allow for customers or followers to interact with not only you, but your connections can be a fantastic opportunity for some.

SHOW VULNERABILITY: Whilst you do not want to be pouring every detail of your life onto social media, showing a vulnerable side is part of nurturing a loyal following. It is important to be human and as humans we make mistakes, have bad days or loose our way at times. Being open to bringing your customers and followers on the journey with you is a solid way to nurture loyalty as it is a real and relatable experience that they will be a part of. And of course, we all know what great levellers’ horses can be!! One minute you are sky high and next minute can be (literally!!) sitting in the dirt! Sharing the highs and lows of your journey- whether it is as a professional rider, a breeder, a store owner etc- can help others. As humans, we share these highs and lows with friends, so sharing some of these with your customers or followers is your way of building the connection and relationship with them. Of course, I am not saying to make your communication a soap opera but being real and allowing people to get to know the person behind the brand is a sure-fire way to develop a loyal following.

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 19

2020 LIVAMOL NZL SECTION FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CHALLENGE The 2020 Livamol NZL Section of the FEI Dressage World Challenge will be held 29/30 October at the SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS – MASTERTON, prior to the AR Dressage & Kiwi Arena Rakes Premier League Event Thanks to the Event Sponsors who include Livamol (Team and Class) Syncroflex, Exclusively Yours, Aussie Equine Supplies and the Eastwood Motor Group (Masterton) who will supply cars for the Event Karen Anderson has been appointed as Chef dÉquipe for the NZL team which will be selected on Thursday 29th after the horse inspection Nominations will open on Equestrian Entries on Wednesday 5th August. Refer to the schedule for Nomination & Entry timelines and procedures.

FOR ALL EVENT INFORMATION CLICK HERE...

https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2020/08/livamol-fei-dressage-world-challenge-2020/

ET IN NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS K E N. G A T G SET TO RETURN IN 2021 DERS STILL BEIN

R AT E O Dressage Waikato are excited they E Lannounce M to O S , T S U G have stepped up to U a North Island Championships 1 Ahost O S E D February at the Taupo NEC. This Event20from 0 C L26-28 2 R RS FO O R D E event will also be the final round of the North Island Super 5 League will be a great lead up for the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show.

20 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

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AP SO

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NATIONAL NEWS

NEW ZEALAND NEWS DRESSAGE AGM & CONFERENCE

REPORTS

The 2020 Dressage NZ AGM on 19th July attracted sixty – five Zoom registrants interested in the future of our sport.

Dressage Portfolio Annual reports can be viewed here

Board members retiring by rotation were the Performance and Development Officer, Linda WarrenDavey and Marketing & Comms Manager, Michelle Zielazo. Chair Scott McKenna paid tribute to Linda and Michelle for their input and commitment to Dressage during their term.

Thank you to all members who participated in the survey. Results can be found here:

Taranaki’s Alicia Cameron was formally appointed as Marketing & Comms Board member and Christine Weal (Waikato) elected as Performance and Development Officer, both for a three-year term.

Thank you to Bill Noble for also accepting nomination as the Performance and Development Officer, and to applicants for the Marketing & Comms portfolio.

Dressage is privileged to have had such strong interest from experienced members for these roles. Bill remains as a co-opted member of the Performance Committee.

STRATEGIC PLANNING POLLS

DRESSAGE BOARD 2020-21 Scott McKenna (Chair), Sarah Hazlewood (Finance & Vice Chair), Sue Hobson (Judges Officer) Andra Mobberley (Technical) Alicia Cameron (Marketing & Comms) Christine Weal (Performance & Development)

COMMITTEES Performance & Development Christine Weal (Chair), Margs Carline (Chair of Selectors) Kellie Hamlett (Riders Rep) Bill Noble (co-opted) Coach Rep (Vacancy)

Young Rider Convenors Cathy Vennell (NI) and Lynda Dann (SI)

Judges Sue Hobson (Chair), Mura Love, Judith Cunningham (re- appointed until 2023). Lesley Jacobsen and Michelle Paterson (co-opted until 2021)

Riders Reps Jody Hartstone (NI) & Jude Nickolls (SI)

https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/Conference-Agenda-2020_v28June.pdf

INSIGHTS SURVEY RESULTS https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2020/07/dressage-send-us-your-insights-in-this-short-survey/

RULE CHANGES SUMMARY Effective 1 August 2020 A summary of rule changes can be found here https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/rules-regulations/dressage-rules/

The table below represents the results of the AGM poll where participants were invited to prioritize key issues they wanted the Board to focus on for the next three years.

SHORT TERM GOALS 84% Increased participants all levels 76% Financial Sustainability 76% Volunteer Succession Planning & Development 73% Development/Education Opportunities for all Members 45% Communication to all stakeholders 43% Improved Competition Facilities 35% Increased recognition of Dressage 29% Development Equine Athlete 22% Individual at Tokyo OG 12% Increased number FEI level Horses

MEDIUM – LONG TERM 86% Financial Sustainability 86% Development/Education Opportunities for all Members 75% Improved Competition Facilities 64% Communication to all stakeholder 64% Development Equine Athlete 57% Team at WEG 2022 39% Growth Development Pony Dressage 29% Increased number FEI level Horses

Dressage Steward General Rachel McCallum

NEC Reps Jon Williamson (NI) & Soo Wells (SI) AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 21

NATIONAL NEWS 2020 LIVAMOL NZL SECTION FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CHALLENGE The New Zealand FEI Dressage World Challenge will be held 29/30 October at the Solway Showgrounds, Masterton, prior to the Wellington Premier League Event Thanks to the Event Sponsors who include Livamol (Team and Class) Syncroflex, Exclusively Yours, Aussie Equine Supplies and the Eastwood Motor Group (Masterton) who will supply cars for the Event Karen Anderson has been appointed as Chef dÉquipe for the NZL team which will be selected on Thursday 29th after the horse inspection. Nominations will open https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2020/08/livamol-fei-dressage-world-challenge-2020/ on Equestrian Entries on Wednesday 5th August. Refer to the schedule for Nomination & Entry timelines and procedures. Click here for all event information.

NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS SET TO RETURN IN 2021 R

HHobsons orsecoaches & Motorhomes 2018 Ltd

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22 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

Dressage Waikato are excited to announce they have stepped up to host a North Island Championships Event from 26-28 February at the Taupo NEC. This event will also be the final round of the North Island Super 5 League will be a great lead up for the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show.

DRESSAGE NZ IS BOTH EXCITED AND PRIVILEGED TO ANNOUNCE A FULL STABLE OF SERIES SPONSORS FOR THE COMING SEASON Alongside the support from many loyal returning sponsors, some of which span a phenomenal three decades, we also welcome with pride, Animal Therapeutics, South Canterbury Saddlery and Oro Equestrian to our series team. Thank you all from the Dressage NZ team for making it possible to create this “Series of Inspiration” – each series targeting its own unique demographic of our riding membership, officials and volunteers.

SUPER 5 PRELIMINARY - Vetpro SUPER 5 NOVICE - Matthews Hanoverians SUPER 5 ELEMENTARY - Animal Therapeutics SUPER 5 MEDIUM - Dunstan Horse Feeds SUPER 5 ADVANCED MEDIUM - Back on Track SUPER 5 ADVANCED - Hobson Horsecoaches and Motorhomes SUPER 5 SMALL TOUR - Custom Logistic Services SUPER 5 MEDIUM TOUR - Andrea Raves Dressage SUPER 5 GRAND PRIX - Superior Rubber Surfaces MUSICAL FREESTYLE SERIES - Zilco NZ PREMIER LEAGUE - Kiwi Arena Rakes AMATEUR TOP 10 LEAGUE - South Canterbury Saddlery PONY & YOUNG RIDER AMATEUR TOP 10 LEAGUE Equizee PONY & YOUNG RIDER PERFORMANCE TOP 10 LEAGUE - AMS Saddlery SMALL STARS TOP 10 LEAGUE - Oro Equestrian MASTERS TOP 10 LEAGUE - Quin Buildings Direct DRESSAGE FUTURES - Prestige Equestrian VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH - Big Barrel OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH - Andrea Raves Dressage

NATIONAL CALENDAR

PREMIER LEAGUE & NATIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR Keep up to date with the latest competition calendar by clicking here... www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/show-dates-card-for-2020-2021/

SEPTEMBER 2020 26/27

Dressage SCNO Premier League Event

Waimate A&P Showgrounds

OCTOBER 2020 17/18

Dressage Central Districts Premier League Event (TBC)

Manfeild Park

24/26

Dressage Bay of Plenty Premier League Event

Taupo NEC

24/25

Dressage Marlborough Premier League Event

Marlborough Equestrian Park

31/1

Dressage Nelson Premier League Event

Rough Island Equestrian Park

31/1

Dressage Wellington Championships

Solway Showgrounds Masterton

NOVEMBER 2020 7/8

Dressage Gisborne Championships

Gisborne Showgrounds

7/8

Dressage Otago Premier League Championships

Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds

14/15

Dressage Ashburton Premier League Championships

Ashburton A&P Showgrounds

14/15

Dressage Northern Hawkes Bay Championships

Hawkes Bay A&P Showgrounds

19/22

Bates Dressage NZ Championships

Taupo NEC

19/22

Webb Equestrian Para Equestrian Championships

Taupo NEC

28/29

Dressage Canterbury Championships

McLeans Island NEC

DECEMBER 2020 5/6

Dressage Southern Hawkes Bay Championships

Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds

5/6

Dressage Southland Championships

Gore A&P Showgrounds

12/13

Dressage Waitemata Premier League Championships

Woodhill Sands

19/20

Taihape Christmas Championships

Taihape A&P Showgrounds

JANUARY 2021 15/17

Dressage Taranaki Championships

Egmont A&P Showgrounds

22/24

Auckland-Manukau Premier League Championships

Clevedon A&P Showgrounds

23/24

Wairarapa Premier League Event

Solway Showgrounds Masterton

29/1

Dressage NZ Youth Festival

Taupo NEC

FEBRUARY 2021 6/8

South Island Dressage Championships (Canterbury DG)

McLeans Island NEC

12/14

Dressage Northland Championships

Barge Park Showgrounds

26/28

North Island Dressage Championships (Waikato DG)

Taupo NEC

MARCH 2021 9/14

Land Rover Horse of the Year Show

Hawkes Bay A&P Showgrounds AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 23

NATIONAL NEWS

CHRISTINE WEAL Performance & Development Officer for the 2020 -23 term

I Photo: Libby Law Christine & Schindlers Liszt Photo: Libby Law

24 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

am deeply committed to seeing the sport in NZ grow. We have very good riders, owners, breeders, coaches, and judges who are supported by great sponsors and volunteers. The sport is at an exciting time and If we all continue to work together we can continue to develop pathways for the sport to keep growing, being more successful and have a sport that benefits everyone.

Over many NZ winters I have been very lucky to have been involved with, and learn from some of the best trainers in Europe and Australia. During these times I was involved with many horses being produced to the highest level for some of the best riders in the world. I worked closely with Dr Ulf Moller whose horses were winning at the World Championships for young horses and other elite shows in Europe. Also with his wife Eva who is currently winning the International young horse classes.

In NZ I have been involved with riders on the Eventing HP squads so I have seen first-hand how these squads work for them. I’ve being involved with the Dressage NZ squads and over the last year been involved in getting these squads up

and running so the riders are gaining more support from these squads.

I’ve been lucky to been given chances to compete internationally and produced horses to this level.

So I understand what it takes to get to this level and the pressures the riders are under when trying to achieve their goals. I’m extremely passionate about High Performance sport, and the correct training that goes into producing good riders and horses, enabling them to compete at an International level. But equally I have a good understanding of the sport at a lower level and for many years been putting back in to my local area and younger riders coming through.

I am involved in the Waikato Dressage Group, which I am currently vice-president of, and I give my time to the area by the way of free coaching to encourage more amateur riders into Dressage.

Having personally benefitted from mentoring and Dressage NZ initiatives, I have always been invested in helping grow and promote the sport of dressage at all levels. I am excited this role is an opportunity to further develop and formalise that commitment.

NATIONAL NEWS

ALICIA CAMERON Board Member for Marketing & Communications for the 2020 -23 term

A

licia has many years experience working in numerous marketing and communications roles, including brand and sponsorship positions.

She currently is employed at Powerco in New Plymouth, managing the national sponsorship portfolio, and planning and delivering marketing activations for the business. She has worked for two local councils, where her primary role was internal and external communications. Through the experiences gained in various roles, she has become conversant at strategically planning marketing campaigns and activations, including setting realistic objectives, and working to deliver desired outcomes.

But her experience also extends to a wide variety of roles in equestrian sports. Most recently she has taken on the role of event coordinator for Dressage Taranaki and in 2019 worked with Dressage NZ and as National Dressage Championships Event Manager. At Horse of the Year 2019, Alicia worked as media officer

for the Dressage section, writing and sending out media releases, in addition to creating content for the Dressage Bulletin.

Alicia has only recently become involved in Dressage as a sport, having previously been avid showjumper. During that time, she was the secretary for Waitemata Showjumping group for a number of years. “I believe my vast marketing experience, teamed with my recent involvement with Dressage NZ will be an asset to the board. I returned to competing last season on a level 1 horse and have recently acquired a Level 6 schoolmaster in order to gain further knowledge of riding at higher level.

While I am still a relative newcomer to the sport, I am passionate about helping to further promote this sport, to see it succeed both at the grassroots level and internationally. I love giving back to sports I am involved in as a volunteer, and see this as a perfect opportunity to help Dressage NZ continue to move forward�.

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YOUNG RIDER NEWS

AMS SADDLERY PONY AND YOUNG RIDER PERFORMANCE LEAGUE

C

ongratulations to the pony and young riders who were placed in the AMS Performance League in the 201920 year. Forty-two ponies and forty-one horses contested the League. There was an exceptionally close contest in the pony division with just three points separating the section winners.

All section winners receive an AMS sash plus a $100 AMS voucher and national winners a national winner sash and $200 AMS voucher.

Piper Crake & Glenvar Bramble Photo: Libby Law

Dressage NZ is privileged to partner with AMS again for the coming season.

Nominations open on Equestrian Entries on Monday 17th August and close on 1 December 2020. Points will be allocated from all graded classes at Kiwi Arena Rake Premier League Events, and the Equestrian Entries NZ Youth Dressage Festival. A maximum 10 best combination scores will count for the final league points.

FOR FULL CONDITIONS CLICK HERE...

PONIES

HORSES

CHAMPION

Piper Crake

https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/dressage-series-classes/ Glenvar Bramble Waitemata 72

PRELIMINARY

Claudia Younger

Sandhill Trussardi

Central Districts

69

NOVICE

Piper Crake

Glenvar Bramble

Waitemata

72

ELEMENTARY

Samantha Belsham

Alpine Park Watercolour

Auckland

71

MEDIUM & ABOVE

Bella Small

Kingslea Busy Bee

Auckland

71

CHAMPION

Brina Carpenter

Plutonium Lady

Auckland

90

PRELIMINARY

Tayla McDonald

Wonda Why

Waikato

78

NOVICE

Colleen Ware

Wizsteal

Central Districts

62

ELEMENTARY

Willa Aitken

Geneva Star

Nth Hawke’s Bay

70

MEDIUM

Lucy Cochrane

Gymanji

Nth Hawke’s Bay

83

ADVANCED MEDIUM

Morgan Beere

Redwood Furst Affair

Waikato

82

ADVANCED

Brina Carpenter

Plutonium Lady

Auckland

90

SMALL TOUR

Lilly Jefferies

Lindisfarne Laureate

Wellington

80

MEDIUM TOUR

Amy Sage

RM All About Me

Waikato

44

GRAND PRIX

No entries

26 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

YOUNG RIDER NEWS

PRYDE’S EASIFEED YOUNG RIDER DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS Two young riders stood out for the Dressage NZ selectors and the sponsors for the 2019-20 year. The scholarships were awarded not just for competition performance but also took into account the riders’ approach to sponsor brand awareness, communication and sport conduct.

R

ecipients receive a lesson with a Pryde’s Easifeed sponsored rider, 8 bags of Prydes’s Easifeed of choice feed, a presentation rug and ongoing equine nutritional advice and support.

TESSA JONES (Queenstown) I am very excited and humbled to be the Prydes easifeed young rider scholarship for the South Island. This is such an incredible opportunity and I feel very blessed to be able to represent a feed brand such as Pryde’s Easifeed which I already use and love. I look forward to the upcoming season and to be able to continue to promote Pryde’s and Dressage NZ. Horse: Sanson Jones

REBECCA MOBBERLEY (Masterton) I am very thankful to have been selected as the North Island recipient of the Pryde’s Easifeed Young Rider Development Scholarship 2020. The Scholarship will help make my goals a reality, whilst keeping my horses in top physical condition with the support of Pryde’s products and advice. Pryde’s Easifeed has had an ongoing commitment to youth development in New Zealand dressage. We are fortunate to have such a generous and committed sponsor.

Horse: Sayonara FE

PRYDE’S EASIFEED YOUNG RIDER DEVELOPMENT CAMPS 2020 - Dressage NZ welcomes back Pryde’s Easifeed

as supporters of the 2020 Young Rider Development Camps.

Unprecedented interest has been received for camps in both islands. Following a presentation on youth athlete development at the Dressage Conference in 2019, a change of policy around selecting youth riders for development opportunities has been implemented by Dressage NZ. All seventy riders who applied to attend the camps have been offered the chance to attend. A huge thanks to our Young Rider Convenors, Lynda Dann and Beth Condon in the SI and Cathy Vennell in the NI. More information about a new Sport NZ initiative for youth sport known as 'Balance is Better' CLICK HERE... https://sportnz.org.nz/focus-areas/youth-sport/balance-is-better-philosophy/

Top: Tessa Jones and Sanson Jones Below: Rebecca Mobberley and Photo: Kristel Mack Saunders Sayonara FE Photo: Belinda Platt AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 27

INTERNATIONAL NEWS FACING PAGE FROM L TO R Lisa Erlemeyer & Dancing Star, Warwick McLean & his Grand Prix horse Sir Henrich, groom Emily Symonds from Australia, Carolina McLean & Jack, Holly with F-Type OLD (by Franziskus) THIS PAGE Holly & Jackpot enjoying training in the sun

28 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

HOLLY MOORMAN REPORTS FROM GERMANY Photos by Jana Wi

“Despite the Corona Virus situation we have been lucky to be able to keep riding”

T

aupo’s Holly Moorman reports that life has remained busy at the McLean Reitsport stables in Germany. “I had returned for a little holiday break back to New Zealand in February, luckily just before it (Covid) all went global.

There since has been plenty of training at home, and more recently competitions have started again. I have some younger horses to compete in L level classes, as well as the Johnson gelding Bonsport’s Jackpot to compete at M level - I am

aiming for some Prix St George level starts soon.

The other riders in our team have had good success lately, qualifying two horses for the Bundeschampionat (German Young Horse Championships) in September, and also placing in Grand Prix classes. It is continuing to be a great learning experience over here being able to ride many talented horses on a daily basis and competing in German shows alongside high quality horses and riders.”

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AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 29

NATIONAL NEWS

CARTERTON’S BRIGID GRAY THRILLED TO WIN AMATEUR LEAGUE Photos by Belinda Platt

AMATEUR

CHAMPIONSHIP

Sponsors

30 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

NATIONAL NEWS

The 2020 Equissage Top Ten Amateur League was a sweet and inspirational victory for Brigid Gray. Sadly her eventing horse had soundness issues, and last May Brigid had to make the hardest decision – to put him to sleep. But along came two gift horses - The Keeper and Mt Tulloch Royal Legend, it was time to give up jumping and take on a new challenge.

B

rigid and her new team of two went on to take 1st and 3rd place in the Equissage Amateur League Bronze Section, the Amateur Owner Award, the North Island High Points Award and the Pot Black Trophy. From a maximum possible 100 pts, she scored 97pts with The Keeper and 94pts with Mt Tulloch Royal Legend.

Brigid Gray Reflects on her first season dressage experience

BEST PERFORMANCE? Central Districts Championships 2019. It was the first stay away from home for my big horse and trip longer than 10 minutes in the truck; to our third third competition. We were awarded champion preliminary and my little horse was reserve. What an adventure trying to get inside and keep it together for prize giving!! Our warmups were pretty full on also!

MOST CURRENT ACHIVEMENT: The Pot Black Trophy.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO IMPROVE? Both these horses who are like chalk and cheese but have fantastic attitudes which makes learning and competing so much more enjoyable.

I really enjoy competing and getting rewarded for hard work.

THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE DEVELOPED IN DRESSAGE Well I have absolutely no idea. I am so new to this, I do a lot of watching and learning from what happens in the yards, warm up, competition arena, and event how to dress.

WHAT DOES WINNING THE POT BLACK TROPHY MEAN TO YOU? It's an awesome thrill. When I was little, in the holidays my grandmother would send me and my cousins off to Ferndale riding school in Waikanae, owned by Margaret Harris for weeklong riding camps. I remember her beautiful black stallion Pot Black (Potty) came in each afternoon to go in his box.

All the kids had to be away and in cleaning their tack. He could be a bit explosive from memory! I also owned and evented a horse called Dalvey Pot of Gold who I believe was bred by the same stud as Pot Black.

OTHER INTERESTS? Gardening, woodworking, following what my three girls are doing.

FAVOURITE MUSIC? Queen, Six 60, anything really that I can sing along to and understand what they are saying!

FUTURE GOALS?

FOOD: Sweet tooth WINE: Cider person HORSES: The Keeper (10yrs, 178cm

I am hoping to make it to the nationals and want to start competing in Novice. I’ve got my music sorted and a little machine to play it which I hang on the fence post. Activating the start button and getting into the arena is fairly erratic at this point! Small steps enjoy the journey.

Mt Tulloch Royal Legend (15yrs, 151cm Morgan/Welsh X JMF Royal Secret/Star).

NZTB by Keeper). He’s just known as “Keeper”. He’s like a very overgrown pony really, unties things, throws things and gets into things that are not intended for horses! But he is a beautiful gentle affectionate boy.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL EQUISSAGE AMATEUR LEAGUE RESULTS https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/Equissage-Dressage-Amateur-Top-10-League-2019-2020-FINALS-1.pdf

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 31

TRAINING

SOUTH ISLAND OFFICIALS & RIDERS CLINICS

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We are a team...

ressage Otago hosted the first of three South Island one day clinics, with Dressage NZ National Judges Officer and presenter Sue Hobson then going straight on to Christchurch to team up with judge colleagues Mura Love and Linda Warren-Davey for another full session in Canterbury.

Otago had a great turnout with participants travelling from afar as Nelson, Te Anau and Invercargill – all coming out of COVID hibernation for the official clinic of the new season.

Canterbury hosted an equally interested group of enthusiasts. Both clinics included a presentation on the Stewards Education Pathway, ably led by Rachel McCallum and Jane Robertson.

Otago

- by Barbara Chalmers Firstly, our presenter – Sue Hobson, FEI 4* and FEI Young Horse judge; what a super ambassador she is for our sport – motivational, knowledgeable, entertaining, passionate, and immaculate in her presentation. A quote from one of the riders attending “I liken her (Sue) to the British Queen; you can’t help but respect her. I liked her push for “we are a team, riders, judges, stewards, we all need each other”.

I’m so glad this same rider had a great day with us as she originally went to another venue where a different organization was in the midst of a major cheese roll fundraiser. She initially thought the ladies with shower caps on must have been catering for us!

Luckily, she realized her mistake in time and managed to get a lift to the correct venue!

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Some of the Otago audience

The morning session started with Sue outlining new rules recently passed at the Dressage NZ AGM and the reasons for some of the changes.

This led to the judge’s pathway, the role of the Technical Delegate (TD) and the Steward and how vital all these roles are for the smooth and fair functioning our sport. Sue particularly encouraged riders to start on the judges’ pathway, and more judges (particularly the A and B levels) to take on the Technical Delegate role at least once a year.

Rachel expanded on the requirements of her role as Dressage Steward General, and the steward’s pathway. She emphasized stewards are there to help and gave many good tips on how to do this and how to cope with sometimes difficult situations. She provided the first insight into the role of a Steward / TD for many present and encouraged everyone to consider taking on these roles at a local level.

Before we knew it, it was time for a short 30-minute lunch break and then onto the afternoon sessions with the demo riders, covering movements from Preliminary through to Prix St Georges.

Sue always began with the positive aspects of how the horse was

going, and clearly likes to reward the positives but at the same time is not afraid to penalise when big mistakes happen, without getting hung up on the “wee moments”. The quality of the movement was discussed and how it affects the marks. But we were warned not to get carried away by a huge moving horse at the expense of correctness. It is so important to develop your eye to sort this out. It was beneficial to see different horses doing the same movements and be able to compare the different way they moved and react to the same questions being asked, dependent on their different levels of training.

Marks were discussed for different scenarios within the movements, and I think we need to do a lot more of this so people get more comfortable with presenting their views at clinics – it’s the only way to be open and learn.

The selection of demo horses was clever with each horse having a different way of going. It’s not always easy to be a demo rider and put yourself under the scrutiny of a large number of people but the vibe throughout the whole day was excellent, the riders all willingly showed examples of movements and differences at various levels and

TRAINING

the audience was very positive and enjoyed learning – much of this warmth was due to Sue’s excellent coaching talent as she helped the riders, making them feel relaxed and ensuring all comments were positive.

The riders worked through and showed different movements correctly, then incorrectly, and then were given things to work on to make the correct version even better. As various movements were performed the spectators were asked to allocate marks and reasons for that mark. Discussion was robust, Sue’s emphasis was always on looking for the good in the way the horses were working, and was the training correct and consistent with the German based scale of training, (rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, and collection) at their level.

A measure of how successful the day was that everyone stayed rivetted till the end. People really

appreciated being brought up to date and being able to watch and mark real horses in the flesh, not just on TV/Video.

succession enabled the comparison of the requirements of each level.

Sue, Linda and Mura provided instruction to the riders to assist with increasing the quality they were showing enabling the observers to better understand why a certain mark could be given. All participants agreed they gained a lot from the day.

THANK YOU TO OUR OTAGO DEMO RIDERS...

Debs Morshuis Wendy Butler Lorraine Ward-Smith Debbie Rutherford Who all did a wonderful job for a very appreciative audience.

Canterbury

– by Mel van der Pol The Canterbury clinic followed the same format. Seven combinations from Preliminary to Advanced Medium provided much to discuss through the levels.

It was particularly interesting to have the facilitators work with the riders to develop their way of going and then to repeat movements which enabled the improvements of marks to be awarded. Having a number of horses presenting in

The clinic was informal and encouraging and increased the confidence in our officials and reiterated that we are all one team working together.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR CANTERBURY DEMO RIDERS WHO WERE BEAUTIFULLY TURNED OUT AND DID AN AMAZING JOB...

Shanon Brien Bailey McIntosh Olivia Goodwillie Sandy Houston Aubrey McRae Sarah Cornwall Nicki Ford

Canterbury spectators watching intently

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TRAINING

L to R Peter Barke (Parkridge Donnamour), Debbie Barke and Otillie Upshall (Regal Xavier)

SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND STORIES AT RAINBOW MOUNTAIN Article by Ottilie Upshall

A Winter Training Session with Dressage Rotorua

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TRAINING

We often read books or columns that make training horses sound like it’s straightforward as long as you follow the scale of training it will all fall into place - well it’s not like that, and the worst thing is that causes people to become frustrated and erodes their confidence.

- Debbie Barke -

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very winter, Dressage Rotorua endeavours to provide a variety of training opportunities for our members.

2020 was no exception, so after lockdown had lifted and things seemed to be approaching normal again, the group contacted Debbie and Peter Barke to set up some dates for clinics at their Rainbow Mountain facility. Debbie came back not just with some dates, but also with a proposal to add a new dimension to the training sessions - a demonstration/discussion where members could come along and interactively watch horses and riders working, and have the chance to discuss the nitty gritty of some of the basic concepts of training the dressage horse through the levels.

Debbie explains “I was inspired

by Jeremy Steinberg’s column “The No BS Trainer” in The Chronicle of the Horse, May 13th, 2020. We often read books or columns that make training horses sound like it’s straightforward - as long as you follow the scale of training it will all fall into place - and well it’s not like that, and the worst thing is that causes people to become frustrated and erodes their confidence. Peter and I wanted to do a day to give back to our clients and for Dressage

group members to socialise, get involved and ask as many training questions as possible. As Dressage groups we should be sharing knowledge and stories about our horses.”

We asked members in advance what topics they would like to ‘unpack’, and eventually settled on a general theme of conformation and temperament, and how theses would influence decisions in training. The day ran with two 90-minute sessions, with social lunch break in between.

In the morning the group observed Peter on Dee and Debbie on Jai, both four-year-old mares, one physically strong and mature but a little babyish mentally, and the other a finer type, more lightly built but with an ‘old soul’ brain. It was a new experience for these youngsters to have an audience in their arena, so there were a few ‘baby moments’ which gave a great opportunity for the riders to demonstrate how to quietly and safely ‘guide’ the horse through a moment of spook or tension and direct them into constructive work. During the session both riders explained what they were doing to encourage straightness, develop connection to the bridle, and playing with energy

using exercises such as transitions within and between the gaits, shoulder in and leg yield.

In the afternoon session we had again two very different types of horse: Peter on Doris (Parkridge Donnamour) a mare who needs to be reminded to stay forward, and myself on (Regal) Xavier a hot, compact pocket rocket - both competing Intermediate I and training the Grand Prix movements. Debbie led the discussion from the ground, walking the group through the different strategies employed to make the most of each horse’s strengths and manage any weaknesses. It was possible to see how the themes developed in the morning session (straightness, bending and flexion, energy, and contact applied when asking for the higher-level movements. Debbie’s real time commentary gave the audience the opportunity to tune the eye and hopefully provide some insight into the importance of the basic training which provides the foundation for the horse to perform the harder movements easily and correctly when asked, but also having the flexibility to problem solve with each horse as an individual.

YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE HERE sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 35

OUR PEOPLE L to R Felicity Dobell-Brown & Gill Chambers making a presentation to Judith Newton

Judith is the recipient of this month’s Big Barrel volunteer prize.

Check out their range of products at www.bigbarrel.co.nz

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udith has been a stalwart of on the Northern Hawkes Bay Dressage Group for nineteen years. She joined all those years ago to support her daughters Kyla and Erin in their riding careers. Now they are married with families, and she takes an active interest in her grandchildren’s careers.

In her capacity as an office manager, Judith has taken charge of all those behind the scenes jobs integral to a Dressage show being a success and turned them into a thing of beauty - paying judges, organising runners and writers, preparing test sheets, thank you cards and nice touches like lollies taped to the pony riders test sheets.

She has proved to be very hard to replace in this role. Group President Gill Chambers said of Judith “She is one of the silent types that just gets everything done and every task she does is done to perfection”.

She has what has been dubbed the “Macgyver Box” a suitcase packed with everything required to run the office at an event. This has become

36 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | AUGUST 2020

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH JUDITH NEWTON Sponsored by Big Barrel

a bit of a point of humour for the group, “ask Judith and she will have it in the box”.

During the most gruelling week for volunteers in NZ equestrian sport, the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show, Judith manages the competitions on the polo grounds.

She also finds all the writers for the show, organises show entry tickets for all volunteers and officials many of which she takes the time to deliver personally. Talking to Chris Paston she said “Judith does not forget a thing and I would not be prepared to carry on my role as

Dressage Convenor without her input. Judith has been a dedicated writer for Chris and Felicity DobellBrown and travels away with them frequently, ……a show secretary's dream is a judge that brings their own writer!

Judith has recently resigned from the Dressage Northern Hawke’s Bay committee so we hope this will give her more time to spend with another of her great interests. She is a keen gardener and grew the beautiful topiary buxus plants you see in the presentation area at the Horse of the Year Show.

OUR PEOPLE

Clare is the recipient of the AR Dressage Official’s prize. For further information on AR Dressage contact Andrea at tetch@xtra.co.nz.

Clare Banks and Winsome

OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH CLARE BANKS Sponsored by AR Dressage

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ressage Otago has nominated Clare Banks to thank her for her longstanding contribution to Dressage.

Clare has been a Dressage judge for many years and fondly recalls travelling to Christchurch to undertake her upgrading to List 2 with Tiny White over a weekend of judging in the 1990’s.

Clare told the Bulletin “I had a lovely time competing in Dressage for many years and I just want to give back to the sport. Dressage has given me a great deal of pleasure and as a result I am very happy to judge. I enjoy judging at low key ‘Have a Go Days’ and Winter Dressage just as much as the higher levels. After all, if you haven’t got a judge you haven’t got anything”.

After focusing more on showjumping, eventing and hunting since her early teens Clare began focusing on dressage in 1985, competing on her OTTB, Zoe, up to Open Medium level. Zoe went on to produce three mares that Clare also competed. She quotes her competition highlights to include winning the SI Musical Freestyle over all grades in 1997 and the SI Points Trophy with Gethsemane in 1999. Winsome, the last of Zoe’s progeny was the SI Young Dressage Horse in 2004. Clare continued to compete on her in dressage until 2013 and still enjoyed riding until quite recently. But after having two total knee replacements she has finally decided to hang up her boots and hat.

Clare has also been an actively involved committee member of Dressage Otago. She originally became a member of the Junior and Dressage group in 1972. She was a founding committee member of the Otago Dressage Group when it was formed in the mid 1980’s filling the roles of President (twice) and National Committee Dressage Delegate (twice) and some three decades plus is still on that Committee.

Dressage Otago is indebted to Clare for the generous manner she shares her wealth of knowledge and ongoing help, support, and dedication.

In her professional life, Clare has been a physiotherapist since 1970, and still practices three days a week.

She is also heavily involved with Altrusa, an international service organization, and was recently presented with a prestigious national award for services to that organisation. Amazingly Clare has spare time for other hobbies, enjoying cycling and is a keen gardener. Clare and her husband Austen also enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren.

AUGUST 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 37

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