The positive vibe at the 2022 Bates Nationals made it a pleasure to be involved. It was truly an all-round team effort, ably led by Event Manager Cassie Freeman and well supported by a brilliant group of officials and volunteers who carried out their roles with a wonderful combination of professionalism, experience, knowledge and of course, a sense of humour when it was needed.
The event was superbly supported by many sponsors, some long standing and some new – our heartfelt thanks to you all.
It was a nationals with a difference, deferred from March, and giving us the opportunity to combine with the ever-popular FEI Dressage World Challenge, Livamol New Zealand leg. The concept was great, attracting a strong South Island contingent across both events. One of the main challenges however proved to be the weather! Gazebos wrecked after taking off in random and unexpected strong wind gusts and temporarily attaching themselves to volunteers vehicles, marquees which couldn’t quite cope with the torrential rain….
The horses and riders – I can only support our major sponsor's impression - “the standard of dressage in New Zealand has taken a giant step forward” There is no single factor that contributes – this really is a whole of sport achievement of which so many play a part. But the horses and riders play the star roles, and they inspire us all. Thank you.
The Pathway to Paris countdown begins in earnest in just two weeks with the quest for a Paris Olympics individual place. Another huge team effort coming up - we look forward to you joining the quest.
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” Thank you from Dressage NZ to all the members and fans who have dedicated so much to our sport during 2022.
Happy festive season
The DressageNZ Bulletin is the official magazine of Dressage NZa discipline of Equestrian Sports NZ
Editor: Wendy Hamerton
E: dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz
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Copyright © Snaffle Design & Dressage NZ 2022
Cover Image: Wendi Williamson & Don Vito MH Photo: Libby Law Photography
Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Libby Law Photography
This year saw the 42nd edition of the FEI Dressage World Challenge take place, run here in New Zealand with the wonderful support of Livamol who are now into their sixth year as naming rights sponsor for this event. The four strong NZ team put up the best results possible with a trio of wins and a second placing in their respective classes.
TEAM NEW ZEALAND 2022 (L TO R) Susan Tomlin and Dance Hit SW (PSG), Margs Carline (Selector), Lucy Cochrane and Gymanji (PSG), Kerren Beatson (Sponsor), Karen Anderson (Chef d'equipe), Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria (Youth), Barbara Chalmers (Selector), Jody Hartstone and Just Vincent (Int I)
gelding Dance Hit SW taking the win with 70.368 and Cochrane into second on 66.470. The winner of this class is also presented with the Fetterman Trophy, donated by Andrea Raves and Helen HughesKeen, which was a victory made extra sweet for both Tomlin and Raves as co-owners of Dance Hit SW.
Youngest team member 13-year-old Paige Fitzgerald (Christchurch) took out the Pub Charity Youth FEI Children’s Team Test, finishing on a superb 74% score. There was some great riding and scores in this class, with Frankie Lawn (New Plymouth) and Pied Piper Trick or Treat going into second place on 71.9, closely followed by Grace Purdie (Mahoenui) riding Skyhi Leandro K for 71.6.
Susan Tomlin and Dance Hit SW (Palmerston North) and Lucy Cochrane and Gymanji (Christchurch) were on-form picks for the quinella in the Syncroflex Prix St Georges and didn’t disappoint.
There were just three starters in the Livamol WDC Intermediate I following Anna Gale’s decision to withdraw Lumino. It was Raglan’s Jody Hartstone aboard Alma Abrahams’s Just Vincent for top honours (64.633), edging out second placegetters 17-year-old Gemma Lewis (Springston) and Ruanuku R by fractions of a percentage (64.338), with third place going to Jenny Scotter (Kaiapoi) and Mardi Gras on 63.383.
With nine starters in each, the biggest classes were the Astek Stud Senior I (Elementary/Medium level) and the Classic Equestrian Senior II (Advanced Medium). The former was won by Waikato’s Amy Sage and HPH Furst Welcome with a very classy performance to finish on 72.283, and the latter went to Lucarne Dolley (also Waikato) with her very consistent HPH Sir Wolkentanz (68.484) - a thrill for breeder Stacey Hartshorne to see two of her horses –siblings in fact - in such good hands being produced beautifully!
New Zealand has been taking part in the World Dressage Challenge since its inception 42 years ago. The goal of this FEI competition is to give less experienced Dressage riders the opportunity to compete on the global stage without the big commitment of overseas travel, and the chance to gain international rankings both individually and regionally. “It’s a very longstanding, popular competition,” said Dressage NZ Sport Manager Wendy Hamerton. “A lot of riders really like it as it’s a good introduction to CDI
competition, with a trot-up and being under FEI rules. It has changed a little bit over the years, but things are always changing and evolving.”
One of the most significant changes has been the judging panel: there are no longer a pair of dedicated Challenge judges visiting each country, the panel now consists of one international and one national judge. “This is quite good because it provides a developmental opportunity for our national judge,” explains Wendy. This year we welcomed FEI4* judge Ricky Macmillan (AUS) and A level National judge Mary Craine to make up the Challenge panel.
Any rider who meets the criteria for each class can apply to participate in the Challenge when nominations are called for. Up to forty 40 combinations are accepted to take part each year (up to forty-two with FEI permission) This year there were thirty six starters on the day with one combination withdrawing after the first horse inspection. The selectors announced 4-member NZ representative team is picked and announced the day before the competition by the attending DNZ selectors who, after scouring the form of all the combinations at recent shows, watch the horses during the arena familiarisation and make their final selection.
A big thank you to the FEI for the ongoing support of the global event and our home based sponsors for their valued support: Livamol, Syncroflex, Classic Equestrian, Astek Stud, Pub Charity, and Exclusively Yours.
YOUTH – Piper Crake – Rheinhart’s Steel
INTERMEDIATE I – Jody Hartstone – Just Vincent
SENIOR I – Sandy Houston – Southwell Razzmatazz
SENIOR II – Samantha Belsham – Dolcetto II
PRIX ST GEORGES – Henrike Puketapu – Alexander M
With Sponsor Anna Gale and Judges Mary Craine & Ricky MacMillan
South Africa, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong are the other Zone 9 countries with all results still to be verified by the FEI.
The New Zealand 2022 teams best three scores currently total 245.606 points. The New Zealand team score in 2021 was 237.441 points putting them in second place in our group behind Chinese Taipei. The PSG and Int I team scores carry a x1.2 coefficient, and the Youth x1.1.
Of interest, the only confirmed world team ranking result confirmed to date is Ecuador on 234.723 points. Ecuador is not in the New Zealand group but competes against Honduras, Venezuela, and Bolivia. The New Zealand team score in 2021 was 237.441 points putting them in second place in our group behind Chinese Taipei.
Final team and individual scores will be posted by the FEI in the New Year at https://inside.fei.org/fei/disc/fei-world-challenge/dressage/results
Susan Tomlin (PSG) Dance Hit SW 84.442
Paige Fitzgerald (Youth)Greenmoor Euphoria81.400
Lucy Cochrane (PSG)Gymanji 79.764
Jody Hartstone (Int I)Just Vincent 77.560 NZL TEAM TOTAL 245.606
Jody Hartstone Just Vincent 64.632
Gemma Lewis Ruanuku R 64.338
Jenny Scotter Mardi Gras 63.382
Susan Tomlin Dance Hit SW 70.368
Lucy Cochrane Gymanji 66.471
Anna Wilson Neversfelde Rupert 64.926
Kathryn Corry Anuschka PSH 64.853
Rebecca MobberleySayonara FE 64.118
Toni Louisson Back on Track Devonian STS 63.088
Henrike PuketapuAlexander M 60.441
Lucarne Dolley HPH Sir Wolkentanz 68.485
Philippa McLeod Donneregal 68.182
Sandy Fryatt La Peregrina 66.818
Cindy Wiffin Sanata MH 66.061
Samantha BelshamDolcetto II 65.909
Becky Corlett True Donnar 65.379
Georgia Mullins Kingslea Busy Bee 63.258
Nicole Bours Galileo DHU 61.439
Rachel Hughes HPH Benedict 59.318
Amy Sage HPH Furst Welcome 72.282
Henrike PuketapuHSP Soe 69.134
Sandy Houston Southwell Razzmatazz 68.977
Anna Gale Bloomfield Furst Love Song 68.431
Kirsty Schist Epiton MD 66.843
Gemma Lewis Pennyweight Effervescent 63.204
Ashleigh WebsterDu Soleil SSH 59.870
Lenore McIver Anaruby II 58.981
Carissa Mae FlavellSilver Spur Mistique 58.199
Paige Fitzgerald Greenmoor Euphoria 74.000
Frankie Lawn Pied Piper Trick or Treat 71.900
Grace Purdie Skyhi Leandro K 71.600
Charlotte Muir Vollrath Legato 68.875
Emily Townsend Astek Ginsling 67.950
Piper Crake Rheinharts Steel 67.125
Georgia Lewis Madison Grey 56.600
THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS...
The 2022 Annual FEI Awards were something extra special for the dressage community this year with the Best Athlete Award (decided by international popular vote) being a win for the World Champion Lottie Fry.
Crowning an incredible year which saw her win two gold medals in the Individual Grand Prix Special and the Individual Grand Prix Freestyle, as well as Team silver at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN), 26-year-old Dressage sensation Charlotte Fry (GBR) took home the coveted Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award.
Fry’s Grand Prix Freestyle winning performance in Herning earned her a score of 90.654% and a place among the handful of the world’s top athletes who have broken the 90% barrier internationally. In 2018, Fry won the FEI Dressage World Championships for seven-yearold Young Horses in Ermelo (NED), riding Glamourdale the horse which took her to the top of the podium at the CDIO5* Grand Prix at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ in Compiègne (FRA) in May 2022.
She was a member of the British Dressage team at the FEI Dressage European Championships in 2019 and 2021 as well as the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, where she won Team bronze and finished 13th in the individual competition. In 2021, she also won gold at the World Championships for Young Horses in Verden (GER) with the Dutch-bred Kjento.
Receiving the award from Peden Bloodstock’s Managing Director Martin Atock, Fry said, “To be the Best Athlete in 2022 is kind of crazy! I am still taking it in and not really sure what to say about it yet, but it’s incredible. The people who I need to thank the most for all my successes so far is definitely Anne and Gertjan Van Olst for giving me so many amazing opportunities and allowing me to ride horses like Glamourdale every day. And of course to my whole team, sponsors and my family at home who I had to leave behind when I moved here and to everyone who voted for me to become the Best Athlete for this year. Thank you Peden Bloodstock for the FEI Best Athlete Award 2022.”
Charlotte Fry of Great Britain took first place at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ London ExCel show on Friday, putting a new Grand Prix Freestyle personal best score of 90.995 percent on the leaderboard with Dutch Warmblood stallion Glamourdale.
The current world champion from Herning last summer also won Thursday’s Short Grand Prix test with another personal best of 84.026 percent.
It was a 1-2 victory for the home crowd, as Gareth Hughes finished second with Classic Briolinca. The silver medal was another British personal best, with Hughes and the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood earning 84.590 percent from the five judges.
Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, also a multiple gold medalist in Eventing, went home with the bronze medal, having won 83.170 percent with Franziskus FRH, the Hanoverian with whom she took the World Cup qualifier this season at Stuttgart.
It was a jam packed house at ExCel for one of the glittering highlights of the London International Horse Show, a holiday tradition featuring
many riding disciplines. Ten nations were represented in the 15 starts at Leg 5 of 11 for the Western European League. Combos lined up to snag qualifying points on the road to Omaha, host of the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals in April.
The first half of the evening’s entertainment had the audience well primed, following spectacular performances from the first eight duos. At the interim, Great Britain’s Andrew Gould led the pack on 78.065 percent, a personal best with Indigro,
only nine years old and new to the international circuit.
Simone Pearce of Australia was in second place on 76.320 percent with Fiderdance, and third place was held by Ireland’s Abigail Lyle and Giraldo, who earned a score of 75.250 percent in their first Freestyle. Caroline Chew of Singapore also turned in a personal best with Tribiani (aka “Joey”) at 74.775 percent.
Gould’s score as only the second rider of the night was certainly a gauntlet thrown down for the rest of
the field. Neither Olympian Emile Faurie and Bellevue nor Richard Davison and Bubblingh, always fan favourites, could top his marks, earning 76.130 percent and 75.475 percent, respectively.
But Gareth Hughes and Briolinca changed that with a gorgeous programme that saw them win 79 percent in technical marks and 90 percent for their artistic elements. On 84.590 percent, they rocketed to the top of the board, with four pairs left to compete.
Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands moved into second place for the moment on 79.305 percent, following a performance aboard Glock’s Dream Boy that showed why he was the 2016 World Cup champion.
That didn’t last long, though, with Charlotte “Lottie” Fry up next, eager to top her World Championship score of 90.654 percent with Glamourdale. In a very difficult, very British programme to music by Queen and the Beatles, bookended with “God Save the King,” the two
posted a whopping 90.995 percent for a new personal best and a lead that was impossible to beat.
Ingrid Klimke gave it her all with Franziskus, but their score of 83.170 percent wasn’t quite enough to threaten Fry, although it did land her on the podium at the end.
Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg, another former World Cup winner, finished strong as well with Annabelle, but their score of 82.135 percent forced them to settle for fourth place when their campaign in England was done.
Minderhoud took fifth place, followed by Gould, Pearce, Faurie, Davison, and Lyle in the top 10.
“It was just a complete honour to ride him tonight here in front of the British crowd,” said Charlotte Fry of Glamourdale. “We’re kind of full of all emotions tonight.”
Calling their Freestyle performance the “perfect end of the year,” Fry said she hoped it was the “beginning of a long career.” She added: “I’m really excited for the future.”
Will that future include the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals at Omaha next spring? Fry may have her sights set further on the FEI European Championships in the summer of 2023, but fans are hopeful a showdown between the world champion and Olympic champion Jessica von BredowWerndl will happen sometime soon.
Gareth Hughes (GBR) and Classic Briolinca
Photo: Jon Stroud
As the year finally starts to crank towards summer – the persistent rain in the North Island and a tempestuous spring in the south has already seen the arrival of mild temperatures with interspersed wet soggy cooler periods.
As we struggle with the 'do I have the right cover on for the weather?' scenario that can give many riders a bad day at the office as the sudden weather change that wasn’t forecast deemed the cover or sheet that was put on before we left this morning unsuitable, some of our equine friends are beginning to suffer from skin allergies that seem to occur as
the weather warms up.
The first signs that something has gone wrong can often be seen as the horse starts to scratch itself to relieve the itch. There are many skin conditions that don’t initially cause itching however it may develop as secondary and yeast infections occur. Immune system function plays an important role with the front lines of defence
Nutritional support in the form of antioxidants may help diminish symptoms and in some cases, strengthen the immune system enough to prevent the allergic response.
MITAVITE® PERFORMA 3® is a rich, natural source of Omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids. By combining Omega 3 rich vegetable and fish oils with added garlic, PERFORMA 3® contains high levels of usable EPA and DHA's.
MITAVITE® SUPER ANTI-OX® is a high strength curcumin based antioxidant formulation combining 3 distinct, naturally derived, antioxidants known for their support of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints for horses undertaking strenuous exercise or racing.
being the physical and mechanical barriers such as the skin, cornea of the eye and the membranes that line the respiratory, digestive, reproductive and urinary tracts. Providing the right types of nutrition to give those immune system defences the best support against invaders can often be tricky as many foods can be allergens in themselves for sensitive horses.
Skin allergies can be a hard thing to pin down as to exact cause and best treatment and some horses can be more prone than others, more than occasionally they also require veterinary intervention. The whole topic is a complex one and requires more room than we have here so we are providing a link to the website so that you can do some more reading of your own over the holiday season.
https://hygain.co.nz/blogs/library/ how-to-feed-horses-with-skinallergies
From us here at Mitavite and Hygain we would like to wish all our riders and equine friends a very happy and fun filled festive season as we go into summer holidays. Merry Christmas everyone!
With a hat trick of wins in the Grand Prix, Special and Freestyle, Wendi Williamson and her ten year-old Don Vito MH (by Don Frederico) took home the Bates National NZ Grand Prix title and the Burkner Medal for 2022, culminating a sizzling show for the entire Team Williamson.
“He’s still pretty green but felt like he stepped up a level,” says Wendi of her impressive chestnut Don Vito MH. “The whole team stepped up a level I think, particularly on the last day where we all won our tests across five grades.”
Technically this is Don Vito MH’s second season at Grand Prix but last season didn’t go to plan in the worst way, with the horse developing an infection and becoming incredibly sick. “He nearly died,” confirms Wendi, “and he also took the end of my finger off! He was a bit grumpy as he had to have penicillin twice a day and one evening I was a bit blasé with him. So it was all a bit of a disaster and a bit doom-and-gloom for a while! But he made a really good recovery.”
Wendi describes Don Vito MH as similar to her spectacular Dejavu MH who won the same title in 2017 (DJ sadly passed away in 2018). “He is quite a lot like DJ in that he tries really hard to do the right thing. He’s probably a bit easier than DJ to ride,
in that he’s not quite so crazy! But is still so motivated. He’s pretty cool and has such a desire to help you out in a test and do his job.”
At just ten years old and only at the beginning of his Grand Prix career there is so much more to come for Don Vito MH, however Wendi isn’t thinking too much about
taking him further afield at this point. “There’s more competition here than there is in Australiawe’ve got Melissa [Galloway] and Gaylene [Lennard] and Vanessa [Way], it’s a really strong Grand Prix field here at the moment so I don’t feel the need to go to Australia. And we already have lots of shows here
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with Nationals and HOY. But we’ll certainly see what happens!”
While Wendi hasn’t joined the online coaching movement - “just because we have really bad Wi-Fi at our place!” - but has a few selected people that she trusts to help with her riding and training. “I have a few people that watch me and give me a really honest opinion. For example Coralie Williams, who was one of my first dressage coaches years and years ago, we’ve reconnected and she’s been amazing. Christine Weal is a really good friend and she’s particularly good helping me at shows - we try to get together when we can.”
Another aspect that Wendi is really enjoying these days is the team element, with daughter Becki competing, along with Team Williamson riders Madi Schollum and Tiffany Owen. “It’s so good,” she says. “It’s just not all about me anymore because I don’t really like that kind of focus! We just have a great team, they’re all really driven and try hard, and we’ve got loads of horses for them to ride so it’s good for them too. They get the opportunity to learn how to train young horses through the grades. I know that they know they’re onto a good thing!”
“Our team is not just the riders either, we’ve got weekend girls that are all Young Riders, a lady that’s worked for me for five years now and she’s kind of like a camp mother farm manager and all the girls love her - she glues everyone together. It’s awesome and we’re extremely
lucky. When it all goes off like it did at Nationals it really just feels like the whole thing is worthwhile. It’s not all about one person and dragging everyone along! It’s a team thing with multiple people achieving goals.”
With fifteen horses in work and twenty-five in total on their Waitekauri Farm property there’s no shortage of rides. “I get the pick of the ones I want to ride,” laughs Wendi. “But there’s a horse for everyone!”
“ We’re not particularly good at selling them but I guess eventually there will be some that will move on. I think for me it’s not about training to sell, it’s about training because I love training and seeing how far I can get with them. There will be some that won’t get to where I want them to get to, but they’ll be lovely trained horses for someone to hop on and that would be my goal - to train them as best I can and make them the best I can.”
• Burkner Medal for the Grand Prix Championship (points from all three Grand Prix classes).
• Vom Feinsten Trophy for the Grand Prix class winner.
• Tironui Trophy for the Grand Prix Freestyle winner.
• NZ Hanoverian Society Award: For the best Performed Hanoverian Advanced Medium-Grand Prix.
The feeling was just so positive to see the number of combinations contesting the Grand Prix classes, with ten horses starting in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Grand Prix (also a Superior Rubber Surfaces Super 5 qualifier), and the Pixio Pixem NZ Grand Prix Special.
Nine lined up for the Saturday evening final, the NZ Hanoverian Society Freestyle. Riders presented original and interesting choreography, which was fun to watch, matched up with some great choices of music.
First up was Lucarne Dolley and Ardmore, always cool calm and collected, with a super pi-pa finish up the centreline for 69.335. Next in was Vanessa Way and NSC Andreas with their always-impressive, powerful trot work and showing a high degree of difficulty with pirouettes between piaffe and canter (71.27). It was a delight to watch former Olympian Kallista Field and the German bred Felix Westfalia FE, such an expressive horse and so light on his feet with foot perfect music to match (69.1). Jody Hartstone and Ali Baba were fourth to go, always crowd favourites and putting 65.65 on the board.
Next in was Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH captivated the spectators with an uber professional performance with highlights including double canter pirouettes and fabulous extended trot work to score 74.48.
Blenheim’s Diane Wallace and her attractive VDL Prestige gelding Profile saved his best for lastDiane’s smile saying it after the final halt and a 65.8, followed by Jen Sim (Karaka) and Stoneylea Lancelot who were hot on their heels for with 65.7.
The ever effervescent combination of Chelsea Callaghan
and Sisters II Etta J had super cool music for their tempi changes and hit the seventies with 70.37 for a well-deserved third place, and last to go was Cooper Oborn and a rather excited Aphrodite, the crowd loving their passage tour to the Poi E soundtrack, and the nod to Australia in there too with some Waltzing Matilda (66.945).
The Freestyle was a wonderful finale to the competition and then followed by the celebrations of the prize givings came to an end the Bates 2022 National Championships - an event we had all waited eight months for – it was undoubtedly worth the wait.
Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Libby Law Photography
New faces, old faces, beautiful horses, gorgeous ponies, great riding, and lots of positive sportsmanship - everyone was happy to be back at Nationals and there was so much to see!
Jess Roberts rounds up the action across the levels.
It was so good to be back amongst all our friends and colleagues at the 2022 champs last month. It feels like the standard of dressage in New Zealand has taken a giant step forward - there are so many talented young horses and riders coming through.
Once again thanks go to the organizing committee and the large number of volunteer workers that put their hand up giving their time at no charge to ensure the show ran smoothly and it did... so many of us don’t see the behind the scenes of these events and have no idea of the challenges these good
people go through to keep the wonderful smooth facade when behind the scenes quite often I’m sure the challenges present themselves. As we catch up now that the COVID restrictions are behind us, it’s not long before we can catch up again in March for the 2023 champs. How exciting this event will be as part of the road to Paris.
We look forward to catching up again then.
The Bates National Preliminary Championship and Aztec Trophy went to Zoie Gray (Te Awamutu) and the sparkling Fursten Look mare Wonderland CWE, who chalked up three impressive 70%+ tests for two wins and a second in their Preliminary campaign. Three consistent performances from Greg Smith and River Park Sienna earned them reserve spot from a strong field of almost 20 starters.
The homebred Wonderland CWE (or ‘Alice’) has been a team effort for Zoie and Christine Weal to produce at their Te Awamutu base. “Christine does a lot of the groundwork, with me doing the riding on the breakers and young horses,” explains Zoie. “I rode Alice for the first few months and then Christine took over her training. I’m really busy with work and only rode Alice a couple of times the days before the show so it’s really all Christine’s training, not mine!”
Zoie says the four-year-old mare was quite tough at the start but has quickly settled into her new life. “She really enjoys it now. She loves to come into the box to have pats and cuddles and is a real smooch! She’s one we will keep to be part of Christine’s dressage team - with [Christine’s] back not being great though I’ll do the first scary season!”
Gisborne’s Henrike Puketapu took out the Bates National Novice title, aboard her beautiful six-year-old Hanoverian mare HSP Raven (Rey du Sol/Gribaldi). From classes with almost 30 starters this combination gave three quality performances for a win and two second placings to secure the winners rug, and their name on the Killala Trophy. Following them into reserve was Cassandra Dally and Jazdan Dark Kennedy CD.
Winning the Novice title was a major milestone, says Henrike, who with her husband imported Raven as a two-year-old from Germany. “She can be a bit exuberant at times but is always 100% focused on her work,” says Henrike. “I simply love riding
her, whether that’s in the arena, on the beach or over our little farm. She is so trainable and most certainly not a moody mare, she’s very snuggly. And absolutely loves bananas!”
The icing on the cake for the pair was the NZ Hanoverian Society Award for the Best Performed Hanoverian in the PreliminaryMedium section.
The “look at me” imported buckskin Epiton MD looked fabulous in his Bates National Elementary Championship sash with owner and rider Kirsty Schist (Rangiora). The combination won both the Dressage Rider Training Elementary & Animal Therapeutics Super 5 and DuraVision Arena Mirrors 3C tests. Reserve champion went to fourteen-year-old Claudia Younger with her eye-catching homebred chestnut five-year-old CDS Donnerstern (Donnerubin). A real thrill for the Younger family to have bred and produced this young horse and rider pair to national level success early in their career.
The Bates National Medium Championship and Doornbos Trophy went to Amy Sage (Waikato) and HPH Furst Welcome, rising to the top of a sixteen strong field. Kieryn Walton was closely into reserve with Shimmer VP.
The stunning HPH Furst Welcome is a labour of love for Amy who has owned ‘Floyd’ since he was eighteen months old and done all his training since he was green broke with the help of her coach Vanessa
Way. Now a seven-year-old, Floyd has real character. “He’s got a huge personality and always keeps us entertained, with his greatest fear in life being chickens!” says Amy. “He’s very chilled out about life but he’s also very sensitive and hot to ridehe’s only 16hh but has a huge engine. He has a real talent for the piaffe and passage so I would really love to train him up to Grand Prix. But mostly just enjoy the ride along the way.”
ADVANCED MEDIUM: COOPER OBORN AND JANIRO CROWNED ADVANCED
The stunning Glocks Johnson TN gelding Janiro was expertly piloted to top spot in the Bates National Advanced Medium Championship by Cooper Oborn in a quality field of over twenty starters. After finishing down the ranks on day one, Penny Pearce’s Papanui Just Dynamite (Donnerubin) found his feet to end strongly in reserve with a win and a second in the final two tests.
Penny is very excited about Papanui Just Dynamite, who she has owned for five months now. “He was bought on by Nicki Winter and had some good basics installed,” she says. “He feels like he has an engine and an aptitude to go to Grand Prix so we will see in the next few years! I’m enjoying riding my two gingers [Penny also competed her GT Jake gelding Just a Spark RE at Advanced] so my future plans are to enjoy producing both towards Grand Prix and have a bit of fun along the way.”
It was a three-way tussle for the title in the Bates National Advanced Championship with often just fractions of a percent dividing the placings between Susan Tomlin, Wendi Williamson, and Vanessa Way. While they were all on smoking form, in the end the glory went to Susan and Dance Hit SW - along with the Hobson Trophy - with Wendi and the elegant Fugato SW
going into reserve.
Wendi has two super competitive horses at this level, with Fugato SW’s stablemate Ducati MH right up there with him. The pair were first and second respectively in the Dressage Waitemata Advanced 6B. “He’s a very hot horse,” says Wendi of Fugato SW who was initially imported by Sterling Warmbloods as a breeding stallion, but since gelded. “But when I first rode him I just felt something and thought that I’d really like to ride a horse like this
in my career. I love riding him and where we get to, we get to - that’s what I’m kind of striving for now, the enjoyment factor.”
It was three tests for three wins for Team Williamson rider Madison Schollum, proud and deserving winner of the Small Tour Championship and Surrey Trophy, which included an especially
polished FEI Inter I Freestyle with a score of 71.167%. Into reserve was Jody Hartstone and Just Vincent from a field of eleven starters - great to see these numbers at this level and especially a pleasure to see Sharon Field in the lineup with her super Donnerubin gelding Nico FE.
Madi was justifiably proud to be able to produce competitive tests with her beautiful mare at this level, and to win. “It was incredibly rewarding and I’m so proud of how far we have come in our training, and to be able to pull that off in the arena,” she says. “It was also my first title at a Nationals so that made it even better! I absolutely love working with Golda and we work really well together.”
Madi has now been working as part of Team Williamson for the past two years. “It feels like it has gone so fast! I really enjoy it up here and I am learning so much. It is really rewarding to see the horse’s progress in training and see them perform so well at shows. I’ve got such a cool Auckland family, so I feel very lucky.”
With wins in both the LH Equestrian & AR Dressage Super 5 Inter B, and the Brett Kendall & Rosemary Carter FEI Inter A/B Freestyle, Rebecca Williamson
and Bon Jovi MH were crowned Bates National FEI Intermediate Champions and awarded with the Trotter Trophy. Reserve went to Napier’s Nicki Sunley and her Limonit mare Laila Dawn.
“There were some aspects that we were a bit rusty on, especially to begin with,” says twenty-year-old Rebecca. “But overall I was pretty pleased with how it went, he felt energetic and positive in his movements.” She explains the challenge for her has been developing a relationship with the Bonifatious gelding in a short space of time. “Obviously he was Wendi’s horse for so long and they had already established their relationship.”
The pair looked great together and sealed the Intermediate title with their 66.38 win in the freestyle. Rebecca is now aiming towards a start in U25 Grand Prix at the Young Rider Championships next month, and then look towards competing in the Medium Tour at HOY.
MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION DOORNBOS TROPHY
Amy Sage & HPH Furst Welcome
RESERVE Kieryn Walton & Shimmer VP
ADV MEDIUM BRONZE CHAMPION
Samantha Belsham & Dolcetto II
RESERVE Renai Hart & Smilla
ADV MEDIUM SILVER CHAMPION
Sophie de Clifford & Riverrock Nigella
RESERVE Abbie Deken & Natasia
ADV MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION KENTUCKY TROPHY
Cooper Oborn & Janiro RESERVE Penny Pearce & Papanui Just Dynamite
ADVANCED CHAMPION HOBSON TROPHY
Susan Tomlin & Dance Hit SW RESERVE Wendi Williamson & Fugato SW
SMALL TOUR CHAMPION SURREY TROPHY
Madison Schollum & Kinnordy Golda RESERVE Jody Hartstone & Just Vincent MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION TROTTER TROPHY
Becki Williamson & Bon Jovi MH RESERVE Nicki Sunley & Laila Dawn
GRAND PRIX CHAMPION BURKNER MEDAL Wendi Williamson & Don Vito MH RESERVE Vanessa Way & NSC Andreas
FEI YOUNG RIDER CLASSIC Ben Weir & NPE Del Rico RESERVE Gemma Lewis & Ruanuku R
FEI PONY CLASSIC Paige Fitzgerald & Greenmoor Euphoria RESERVE Frankie Lawn & Pied Piper Trick or Treat
VW DRESSAGE PROAM CHAMPIONSHIP ADVANCED Becky Corlett & True Donnar RESERVE Philippa Gibbons & SWE Diamant Stern
VW DRESSAGE PROAM CHAMPIONSHIP SMALL TOUR
James Blackwood & Arkenwood Donnervalde RESERVE Kathryn Corry & Anuschka PSH
VW DRESSAGE PROAM CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIUM TOUR Nicky Sunley & Laila Dawn
VW DRESSAGE PROAM CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX Jen Sim & Stoneylea Lancelot RESERVE Diane Wallace & Profile
PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE II CHAMPION
Aimee Prout & Laghmor
RESERVE Nicola Essex & Mirako SP
PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE III
Rachel Hughes & HPH Benedict RESERVE Rachel Hughes & HBS Alliance
PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE IV
Louise Duncan & Wolkenstein BC
RESERVE Louise Duncan & Northern Ivanthus
PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE V
Chelsea Burns & Prestige Pete
PARA EQUESTRIAN TEAM WINNERS
Chelsea Burns & Prestige Pete
Rachel Hughes & HPH Benedict
Louise Duncan & Northern Ivanthus
The Para Equestrian National Championships took place alongside the Bates Nationals, with ten combinations lining up across the grades to compete for the trademark pink winners’ rugs donated by naming rights sponsor Webb Equestrian.
Tauranga’s Aimee Prout and her good-looking brown gelding Laghmor were proud Webb Equestrian Grade II champions. Aimee has been riding since she was a four-year-old, beginning at Riding for the Disabled in New Plymouth, and has been riding and competing Laghmore for almost nine years. The pair have a great bond which was evident throughout their tests. “He’s got so much character” she says. “And most of all, he’s got all the patience in the world for me.” Into reserve
champion spot was Nicola Essex and Mirako SP (by Omkara).
It was a double for Rachel Hughes (Pokeno) in the Grade III championship, taking the title on HPH Benedict and runner up with HBS Alliance. What made the win even more special is that both horses have the same dam - Kinnordy Widia - with the twelve -year-old chestnut gelding HPH Benedict being by Ballettmister, and his younger sister and stablemate HBS Alliance by Anamour (7yrs). The icing on the
cake was winning the Hunniman Trophy with HPH Benedict, for the highest cumulative percentages over the three tests.
Louise Duncan successfully defended her title over in the Webb Equestrian Grade IV, the championship rug going to her lovely Wolkenstein BC and reserve to her other mount Northern Ivanthus (Falkland Victory). Louise is part of Team Webb - along with parents Lloyd and Frankie, and husband Justin - and are long-time competitors, supporters and sponsors of dressage and para equestrian. “At shows we help each other when we can and we keep away from each other when we need to,” says Frankie. “We’ve been doing it for so long we usually know what needs doing, who needs what and when. Taupo is a bit of a problem as sometimes certain team members disappear for a spot of fly fishing at inopportune moments!”
The Webb Equestrian Grade V championship went to Chelsea Burns (Manukau) and the super grey stationbred Prestige Pete, who previously evented to 3* level, now enjoying life with Chelsea (also part owned by Stefanie Liefting). As well as competing, Chelsea is head coach at Meadowbank Pony Club in Auckland, and has another role that you might be surprised to know - she is Board Chair of IHRA NZ, one of the governing bodies of drag racing in NZ!
Put the multi-talented Ben Weir in a dressage or showjumping arena and he’s equally at home… and equally successful. The twenty-year-old Auckland rider took out the coveted Treadlite Dressage Young Rider Classic for 2022 with Trevor and Melissa Steed’s NPE Del Rico.
Ben and NPE Del Rico (Doringcourt) aced both their tests to take the title, well-earned especially in the very competitive Musical Freestyle field. The pair finished on 70.358%, chased closely by seventeen-year-old Gemma Lewis (Springston) and Ruanuku R who were second with 70.192% and overall reserve champions. Morgan Beere (Waikato) was also right up there for 70.1% and third place with Redwood Furst Affair - a great achievement after
importing this horse from Australia as a two-year-old and doing all the training herself.
Although “not feeling quite himself” said Lucy Cochrane of Gymanji, this combination still managed a very creditable 65.95% for fourth, with Anna Wilson (Waikato) and Neversfelde Rupert just the tiniest whisker behind her on a harmonious 65.833%, these two really looking like they’ve consolidated their now two-anda-half-year partnership. Sixth went to Masterton’s Rebecca Mobberley and her striking bay Salutation mare Sayonara FE, also just a fraction behind Anna for 65.667%.
Ben has known Melissa Steed’s thirteen-year-old NPE Del Rico since the horse was a four-year-old and been riding him for the last six years. “He was quite tricky as a young horse but has matured a lot now and we
know him pretty well,” says Ben, who plans to keep working towards Grand Prix. “I would like to keep doing it and see how far we can go. He’s got all the ability there to do it and it’s such a cool opportunity, and cool that we’re working our way up together.”
Predominantly a very successful showjump rider, Ben says his dressage experience has really helped with the jumpers. “It’s great for their way of going, getting them through in their bodies and being able to train them to bend their bodies and stay light on the reinall that basic stuff,” he explains. “I do really enjoy doing dressage and I’ve got a bit of a dressage family. Melissa [Steed] has been there on the ground almost every single day since I’ve been riding Rico.”
A full-time rider, Ben sits on 1012 horses a day and has a full show schedule. “I’ve been away almost
every weekend since the beginning of August - it’s been pretty hectic with the jumpers. And when we’re not jumping we’re at dressage! I’m often travelling down to Vaughn Jefferis’ with the jumping horses to train.” For dressage, Ben trains with Melissa and also has regular lessons with Vanessa Way. “I’m very lucky to have the best trainers. They’ve all helped to set me in a good direction and give me good advice. The more riding I do the more I realise how lucky I am to have had that early education, having ridden for Melissa for around ten years now. And there’s a lot more to learn!”
While he doesn’t have any plans to ditch jumping for dressage any time soon, Ben says he will take some of his younger mounts out to dressage events. “Maybe I will be (only) in the dressage arena one day… never say never!”
The pair finished well ahead in the six strong field contesting the Pony Individual Test, being the only combination to hit the seventies (70.901%) and then sealed their title bid with their freestyle win (67.4%). Hot on her heels and classic runners up were New Plymouth’s Frankie Lawn and her charming palomino Pied Piper Trick or Treat (Golden Strike).
No stranger to the competition arena, Paige has grown up in the show ring, contesting the Lead Rein classes at just 4 years old and progressing over the next six years to the Open ring, collecting a handful of Horse of the Year titles along the way. After dabbling in some dressage with her show
ponies, she was then offered the ride on the wonderful pony Apsley Backchat Kid for a season, where she well and truly caught the dressage bug!
Paige and Greenmoor Euphoria (known at home as Richie, an elegant Riding Pony Anglo Arab cross) have been a combination since the beginning of this year, stepping out at medium level. “Richie is a very cuddly pony, with a cheeky and funny personality,” says
Paige, who had the ultimate dream run at Taupo with selection for the WDC team, winning the Youth category and then moving on to take out the FEI Pony Classic.
Paige has regular lessons with Christine Weal, who travels south for coaching each month, and mum Sarah is always on hand to help with experienced eyes on the ground. “Mum is always there at home telling me if it looks good or not!” notes Paige. “I would like to thank my mum a lot for taking such good care of me and my pony, and for taking us on this amazing big trip!”
Luckily Richie is a happy and relaxed traveler as the next goal on their calendar involves another trek up to the North Island where they plan to contest the Pony of the Year title. No doubt these two will be ones to watch!
The long trek from Christchurch paid off for thirteen-year-old Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria (by Willowcroft Regal Emblem), the pair taking out the Pony Classic in style, finishing with a win in the Musical Freestyle.
Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Libby Law Photography
The River Park Farm 4YO class went to Holly Leach and HPE Barbados (Bordeaux/Franziskus, bred by Werner Dullweber, GER). Known for her ability to produce young horses, Holly showed that HPE Barbados was no exception with a thrilling mark of 81.6%. Following them into second was Zoie Gray and the stunning mare Wonderland CWE (Fursten Look/Limonit, bred and owned by Christine Weal) on 74.8%
with third going to Hawkes Bay rider Lauren Dolan and Flirtini MW (HP Fresco/Thewayyouare, bred by Melanie Washer) with 62.6%.
Holly imported the leggy 17.1hh HPE Barbados (Barney) from Germany as a three-year-old and described him as being incredibly challenging initially. “He had some big opinions!” Holly remembers. “Luckily - for me - as he’s gotten a little bit older he’s become very
trainable and a pleasure to have in the barn in all ways. He’s a real sweetheart. I’m really enjoying the journey with him and look forward to seeing how he progresses in the future”.
In the five-year-old division, it was a double for Greg Smith, topping the leaderboard with a whopping 83.8% aboard Swarovski Gold CFH (Swarovski OLD/ Anamour, bred by Ruth Lucas), and
The Young Horse classes saw a selection of beautifully presented, quality young horses being ridden kindly and correctly. Boasting some impressive bloodlines, they showed their star potential for judges Linda Warren-Davey (FEI YH judge) and Carol Eivers (National YH Judge) in the three River Park Farm sponsored age group classes and were rewarded with some top marks.
taking second with his classy bay mare, River Park Sienna (Swarovski OLD/Don Bosco, bred by Renai Hart) for 78%. Oh so close for third was CDS Donnerstern (Donnerubin DC/ Gymnastik Star, bred by Chevaux Dansants Stables) capably presented by Claudia Younger scoring 77.8%.
Fourth went to the South Island’s Kirsty Schist with her classy buckskin gelding Epiton MD (Escolar/Quaterback, bred by Marliese Dobberthien, GER), finishing on 73.4%. They were followed by Toni Louisson and her beautiful homebred Carbon Copy STS (Chemistry/GT Jake) for 67.4, and into sixth spot was Rebecca Merrick on a 66.2% score with Beaufield Florencia (Florenzio/Sandreo, bred by Tina Field).
Whilst by the same sire - the late Swarovski OLD - Greg says his two horses couldn’t be more different. “River Park Sienna is a sassy princess; we weren’t really sure how she would go at shows as she’s a real nosey parker and always has to know everything that’s going on!” says Greg. “She’s taken to it like a duck to water though. Nationals was only her third show and she behaved like a seasoned pro all week, finishing with the L1 reserve champion. While she’s great currently, I think she’s only going to get even better and come into her own more and more in the future.”
Swarovski Gold (Squirt) on the other hand is a real dude of a horse, says Greg. “Everyone loves him and he’s always my groom’s first pick to ride because he’s such a wonderful gentleman. He’s the epitome of a showman with an excellent work ethic and loves showing off, so the Young Horse classes are perfect for his way of going at the moment.”
Waikato’s Cassandra Dally took home the 6YO title with the impressive black Jazdan Dark Kennedy CD (Dark President/Royal Classic, bred by Jazdan Stud, AUS), clear leaders on 73.2. Into second place with 68% was Anna Williams and the beautifully presented HSP Levi (Vollrath Lessing/ Griffyndor, bred by Sarah Flitcroft), followed by Hannah Walton for third (67%) with her stylish bay HPH Fascination (Furstenball/ The Commander XX).
Jazdan Dark Kennedy CD was purchased as a foal by Cassandra from Australia’s Jazdan Stud, and she says he will definitely be a horse to watch for the future. “He’s very alert, very easy to train and has shown a high talent for the upper-level work when we just touched on it to see what was there,” she explains. “I love his never-say-no attitude - the future is bright for him.”
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Article by FEI and Wendy Hamerton Photos by Richard Juilliart (FEI)
Napier based scientist Dr Natalie Waran recently presented a session at the FEI AGA. She currently holds the position of Professor of One Welfare and Executive Dean at the Eastern Institute of Technology. Natalie has produced more than 100 research publications and describes herself as an applied scientist by training, and an educationalist at heart. Her research and education interests are in the field of ‘One Welfare’ – exploring the relationship between animal and human health and welfare, an interdisciplinary area combining aspects of: social sciences, health and veterinary sciences with education, ethics, and law.
In his opening to the session featuring the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWB), FEI President Ingmar De Vos said ”There is more that can be done, and more that must be done when it comes to protecting the welfare of the horse. We need to reconfirm and strengthen the position of equestrian sport in modern society. And to do this, we need to have the courage to look in the mirror and accept not only what we see, but also what the general public sees, unbiased without any filters.”
The independent EEWB Commission was created in June 2022 to focus on ways that the FEI equestrian community can strengthen its social licence to operate in light of growing public concern related to the welfare and wellbeing of horses in sport.
“We are all equestrian stakeholders, As the Commission, we will be blunt, we will be direct and we will tell you the truth. But in the end we will be here with you. There is change that needs to happen and we are here to develop a strategy, provide objective advice, make recommendations, and then see how these recommendations can be put into operation.”
As part of an evidence based approach to their work, the Commission carried out two surveys of equestrian stakeholders and the general public in order to determine the widespread perception of the use of horses in sport. Fellow expert and Commission member Professor Kathalijne Visser then took delegates through the analysis of the data from these two surveys.
In the third and final part of the presentation, Dr Waran provided an initial structure of an Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Strategy to address Social
License to Operate issues which is based on six main support pillars:
1. Evidence: to improve credibility through being research-led
2. Education: Promoting effective knowledge transfer to ensure optimised standards of equine well-being
3. Engagement: Requiring transparency, through clear and timely communication
4. Effective Regulation: Safe-guarding equine welfare especially where there may be competing agendas.
5. Enforcement: Ensuring clear understanding of the rules and effective compliance by all involved with sports horses
6. Empowerment: Promoting a culture of personal responsibility for equine welfare and wellbeing
There was widespread agreement that horse welfare and strong scientific research should be the basis on which the community takes decisions regarding equine wellbeing practice.
The Q&A session generated open discussions between members of the Commission and delegates in attendance and online. There were a broad range of subjects that were considered including the early recommendations provided by the Commission on double bridles and bits, ways to communicate to improve the image of the sport and horse activities more generally, the methodology behind the surveys and other research carried out by the Commission, and matters relating to measuring the emotions of horses, and the direct and indirect influence of the FEI even outside the sports area.
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PRELIMINARY CHAMPION
Keely Moir & Cinematic
RESERVE Alissa Geange & Maungatapere Floyd
PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION
Oliver Shattock & Buddy Brilliant
RESERVE Mckenzie Burrell & Pine Eyre Dash Light
NOVICE CHAMPION
Rilee McMeekin & Furst Love Note
RESERVE Mary Ellis & Skyevos
NOVICE PONY CHAMPION
Charlotte Baxter & Just Indi
RESERVE Sophie Laws & Jamaican Me Crazy
ELEMENTARY CHAMPION
Laurel Carre & Rocklanz Schokolade
RESERVE Emma Rodd & HL Double Happy
MEDIUM CHAMPION
Rebecca Lawrence & Don Darciano RS
RESERVE Anna Gale & Bloomfield Furst Love Song
ADV MEDIUM CHAMPION
Holly Hanson & Hot Gossip
RESERVE Julie Fraser & Fandango
ADVANCED CHAMPION
Amy Nicholls & Sanderson
RESERVE Vanessa Baxter & Jazzaway
SMALL TOUR CHAMPION
Lucy Cochrane & Gymanji
RESERVE Nicki Ford & Fernando
Diane Wallace & KP Dexter
GRAND PRIX CHAMPION
Diane Wallace & Profile
After a successful recent NZ Nationals where she placed in both FEI Young Rider tests, as well as representing NZ on the World Dressage Challenge team in the Syncroflex Prix St Georges, Lucy Cochrane has packed her bags - and her beloved Gymanji - and headed across the Tasman on an exciting new adventure.
The twenty-year-old from Christchurch is continuing to grow her already impressive portfolio of experience with a move to Lillian Savage’s Keystone Dressage in Victoria, Australia where she has taken up a position as competition rider. Her striking 13-year-old Gymnastik Star gelding Gymanji (known at home as Splash) has excitingly also made the move.
Vanessa Way, who mentored Lucy for two years as a working pupil at her Taranaki base was instrumental in helping secure the Keystone role. “We were actually looking at a couple of different opportunities,” explains Lucy, “but one night at about 11pm she rang me in a frantic state saying, ‘I’ve just been told about this, you have to go!’ I was lucky enough to have a bit of a trial to see if it was for me, and of course being the opportunist I am,
I thought it would be a pretty cool step in my career.”
Once the job was secured it was action stations to get a fundraising auction underway to help with the costs of getting Splash across the ditch and as usual, the equestrian community banded together with the final amount raised covering three quarters of the flight costs. “I can’t thank everyone enough for their support of Splash’s travel,” says Lucy. “From the riders, judges, stewards and supporters who all made the effort to come and find us to wish us luck at Nationals, to the fabulous people who took part in our fundraising auction - you are all amazing.”
Flying over three days after Lucy, Splash travelled up to Auckland from Taupo where he was hosted by the Belsham family prior to his flight. Lucy says everyone at IRT
loved Splash and were very excited as he was the most colorful horse they’d dealt with in a long time!
“He arrived in one piece but looks a bit like a racehorse now,” observes Lucy. “I don’t blame him as I didn’t realise how drastic the flight preparation is. The horses sat in their crates on the tarmac for five hours, weighing and packing the crates before they even think about the flight.”
Splash is now happily on holiday for a few weeks after an intense two months. Lucy felt he just wasn’t quite himself at National and he is currently in a paddock with Australian grass up to his knees. Whilst all the foals around the property are a bit much for his brain Lucy says, “I’m not sure what he’ll think when he sees the kangaroos!”
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Once back in work, Lucy’s plan for Splash is to contest the CDI-Y classes the Australian Youth Champs in midJanuary, followed by the prestigious Willinga Park, Dressage with the Stars and Sydney CDI shows. The aim is to step up to an U25 Grand Prix “towards the end of the season once his passage is a bit more established.”
With her official role as head competition rider, Lucy has some serious riding hours ahead of her. She currently has a list of eleven horses on her daily list (a mix of competition and sale horses) and is also assisting with starting the ten breakers that are ready to begin their education. “We start at
7am, however I like to get Splash organised before I start work so I’m up nice and early,” explains Lucy. “Then I’m riding through to about 2pm, have a lunch break and then head back out to finish off anything I didn’t get to until 6pm. I’m lucky to have a super team of horses between competition horses, sale horses, freshly started and breakers to keep me on my toes!”
Lucy has joined a small but impressive team at Keystone who work hard behind the scenes to take care of every detail. “I am the sole rider at the moment which is pretty wicked!” she says. “Our head groom and well-known Australian show rider Ava Holloran supports me in working the horses and will be my rock at shows. Rhianon Pettigrove, who rode for Keystone until recently is also helpful on the ground for handover now that she is pregnant. We also have two fantastic stable hands who are super lovely, and [Keystone owner] Lillian is also in the barn between her own work, and the Keystone admin and sales.”
In addition to their core team, Vanessa (Way) checks in weekly with online lessons and helps to ensure that everything is on track. Two performance horse body workers (an acupuncturist and massage therapist) visit each week and Lucy works alongside themplus the farrier - to help find ways of maximizing the potential of each of the riding horses.
“Lillian has also involved me in the competition schedule programming, the breeding and the sales strategy which is really great,” says Lucy. “She has been nothing other than fantastic so far. She has big goals just like I do, so together we are excited to get the horses out for a jam-packed season! And not only are we on a mission with the Keystone horses but she has been so supportive and inclusive of Splash which is so nice.”
Keystone is a huge dressage operation, set on 155 acres in Wurdiboluc which is located in the Surf Coast Shire southwest of Melbourne. Their facilities include three arenas, two round yards, a 6-stable young horse barn for breakers and foals, a breeding facility including laboratory, a 14-stable performance barn for the competition horses, and onsite accommodation. Altogether they have over 60 horses on their books between Australia and Europe.
The breeding component of Keystone is a big part of their operation, as they represent (and bring in semen from) Dutch stallions who need no introduction: Le Formidable, Desperado and Indian Rock. Keystone also imported the full brother of Asgards Ibiza, Keystone Kashmir (Desperado).
Keystone have spent 5 years building both their bloodlines and facilities to support their competition, sales, and breeding program. Whilst a lot of the youngstock are sold within Australia and internationally, they have a strong focus on bringing through a number of youngstock as ridden horses for the young horse market. Consequently, nothing in the barn is over 7 years old. All horses are prepared and trained in alignment with their age class, so they remain internationally relevant and (if they are ready physically and mentally) they are competed in their age class in the FEI Young Horse Classes.
PRELIMINARY NON-GRADED CHAMPION
Poppy Hart & Three Twelves
RESERVE Karen Withell & Diamonds Are Forever
NOVICE NON-GRADED CHAMPION
Lorna Minnear & Scouts Honour
RESERVE Caendal Harris & Something Good
PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION
Chloe Foster & Amberleigh Prima Donna
RESERVE Katie Fitzsimons & Rosemoor Diamond
NOVICE PONY CHAMPION
Lulu Maley & Dreammaker II
RESERVE Olivia McFarlane & Mr Silver
ELEMENTARY PONY CHAMPION
Heidi Kendrick & Flying with Style
RESERVE Heidi Kendrick & SWE Ferrero Rocher
MEDIUM PONY CHAMPION
Paige Fitzgerald & Greenmoor Euphoria
RESERVE Gemma Lewis & Pennyweight Effervescent
PRELIMINARY BRONZE CHAMPION
Louise Hipkins & Arnage Fendi
RESERVE Tracy Hunt & Ma douce Fonteyn
PRELIMINARY CHAMPION
Fiona Sharp & Fonzarelli
RESERVE Hess Vertogen & Vollrath Latte
NOVICE BRONZE CHAMPION
Heidi Hart & Furstenline
RESERVE Caitlin Merritt & Lady Liberty
NOVICE CHAMPION
Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Hall
RESERVE Rilee McMeekin & Furst Love Note
ELEMENTARY CHAMPION
Nicki Ford & Le Silence est D'or RESERVE Lynette Wood & Fernlea Don Reveille
MEDIUM CHAMPION
Rebecca Lawrence & Don Darciano RS RESERVE Jan Morice & Flash O
ADV MEDIUM CHAMPION
Lynley Stockdale & Leominster RESERVE Julie Fraser & Fandango
ADVANCED CHAMPION
Philippa McLeod & Donneregal
RESERVE Vanessa Baxter & Jazzaway
SMALL TOUR CHAMPION
Nicki Ford & Fernando MH
RESERVE Amelia French & Wisdom WDS
MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION
Diane Wallace & KP Dexter
RESERVE Rebecca McKee & Solo
GRAND PRIX CHAMPION
Diane Wallace & Profile RESERVE Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Day
PARA EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION
Caitlin Holmes & Harold George RESERVE Amelia Ashby & Sargent Major
Isla
RESERVE
NOVICE CHAMPION
Lorraine
RESERVE
Vicky
NOVICE SILVER CHAMPION
Nicki
RESERVE
MEDIUM CHAMPION
Allie
RESERVE
ADV MEDIUM CHAMPION
Sandy
RESERVE
ADVANCED CHAMPION
Anne
RESERVE
SMALL TOUR CHAMPION
Lucy
RESERVE
MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION
Seija
RESERVE
GRAND PRIX CHAMPION
Article by FEI Photos by FEI - Nacho Olano
Frederic Wandres
Duke of Britain FRH (GER) produced a brilliant Grand Prix Freestyle performance to clinch victory in the fourth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League in Madrid (ESP).
They showed their strength when winning the Grand Prix and then danced their way to the top of the scoreboard once again with a personal-best result of 84.830% in the Freestyle to clinch the all-important maximum 20 qualifying points on the road to the 2023 Final in Omaha (USA) next April.
Runner-up was Wandres’ compatriot Helen Langehanenberg partnering the mare Annabelle with the Netherlands’ Thamar Zweistra lined up in third with the young stallion Hexagon’s Ich Weiss
After his win, Wandres noted that while he knew he and his horse were in great form, he never takes anything for granted. “Like any competitive person you always have your expectations but you never know how you will end up because the others are also fighters, like Helen, she will always fight hard. I knew after the Grand Prix yesterday we had a little bit of a comfortable situation. I changed a little bit the lines of the Freestyle, the music was the same but there were some different new lines with a higher degree of difficulty, and it worked out very well and we came out with a personal-best!”
Talking about the relationship he has established with Hof Kasselmann’s Duke of Britain he said, “ We know each other inside out, and unless there’s a bomb exploding next to the arena we know we can show what we can show and bring out the highlights - especially in
the piaffe! “For sure every day is different and you to have to fight, you have to believe in yourself but you can never be too sure because that always brings mistakes in the end. But I know I can trust him and that’s what makes a relationship like the one we have!”
Nicky’s Story is as follows...
“There were always horses and ponies around when I was growing up as both my parents rode and we lived on a farm where we used horses for stockwork and mustering. As a child I really just cruised around the farm on my pony, no pony club or competing. I stopped riding for a few years through high school as I was boarding, except a little bit in the holidays, and it wasn’t until I was in my twenties, when I bought myself a young thoroughbred. I started a bit of showjumping up to about 90cm and some early attempts at dressage (it was probably a stretch to even call it dressage) and this set me on the path to wanting to learn more.
I had a nasty fall resulting in a very badly broken leg, leaving me in hospital for two weeks and ultimately a para-rider. So the idea of moving onto a freshly broken-in four year old at that stage seemed insane but this young horse, TF Rory O’Moore, turned out to be the perfect horse for me.
I had the good fortune to meet up with Abbie Deken and she set about teaching me dressage, arena craft, what the movements actually looked like. With assistance from initially
Abbie, then Jody Hartstone and Julie Malcolm on my move back to Auckland, I rode Rory up to level 4 and Grade V para classes.
I e ventually sold Rory and decided that the time was right to have a short break from horses and travel a bit. Once I returned to NZ, I started on the judging path as a trainee judge as a way to stay involved in the sport and keep learning while I wasn’t riding.
I now have a lovely horse at home
that Jody Hartstone happened to have for sale. I’m not competing a lot at the moment, just enjoying the training journey. Judging has certainly opened my eyes to what good training looks like in the ring and it has changed how I ride and train my own horses.’’
Nicky is very involved in the Dressage Taranaki Group both as volunteer and judge. We wish her success and enjoyment on the judges pathway programme.
Whilst our committee is full of worthy recipients, Diana stands out as she is not only hard-working, incredibly effective and efficient, she gives so much back to the sport of dressage. With her many years of experience volunteering in Dressage, there is very little Diana doesn’t know about running dressage events!
This year, Diana has stepped up to share the Event Secretary role for Dressage Waitemata, although
this is a role she has ably assisted with in the past and one she also fulfills in her role as President of Warkworth Dressage Group, a “branch” of Dressage Waitemata.
For the past five years, she has forfeited riding at the Waitemata Premier League show so she can volunteer and lead the scoring team, help with general office tasks and assist with prizegiving. Diana is also an official Dressage Steward and supports our local days in this
capacity too. She also manages to capture images for our social media with her photographic skills!
Diana is a very accomplished rider, having taken her current horse, Anza, to Advanced level. She will travel to our venue at Woodhill Sands early in the morning, help set the office up for the day, then ride her tests, come back to the office and then drive the one hour back home. (Her lovely horse Anza deserves a nomination too!)
When not managing all of these roles, Diana is a dairy farmer with her husband Murray on their property in Port Albert, north of Auckland. And if that is not enough, she also works for Advanced Dairy and Pump delivering their products around the Northland region.
There is little this accomplished lady cannot do, from presenting trophies and sashes to repairing burst water pipes at WHS, having her tools handy and saving the arenas from flooding on the eve of our last PL show! Like so many volunteers, Di just quietly gets the job done with competence and humour – a true star and much loved and valued member of our Group.
Eighteen riders were selected from pony clubs all over NZ to compete in the PCIA Virtual Dressage show 2022. The Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA) is a representation of all the National pony club organisations from around the world. Countries in this alliance include New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland and the Cayman Islands.
Article by Ella Cooper-Levin Photos by Olivia Skidmore Photography
The competition has 5 classes: Training level (DNZ Level 1 equivalent) - 14 years and under, First level (DNZ Level 2 equivalent) - 18 years and under, Second level (DNZ Level 3 equivalent)- 25 years and under, Pas De Deux freestyle and Prix Caprilli. Riders were selected to compete in these classes by an NZPCA committee with preference for riders who competed at the 2022 NZPCA Championships week.
Riders were given from the 8th to the 16th of October to film and upload their test videos (from the comfort of their own home) to an online platform. The competition was then judged from until the 28th of October by a range of international judges. The final results were released on November the 12th, 2022 with the New Zealand riders achieving great results.
While not run like a traditional international show, this competition had its debut in 2021 when most countries were still experiencing COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. The competition offered a great opportunity for pony club riders. This year’s competition featured 160 entries, showcasing the immense talent from young riders all over the world.
PONY AND YOUNG RIDERS (L TO R)
Kate Hamilton, Kate Stalker, Neve Cruickshank and Jessica Buchanan
PRELIMINARY CHAMPION
Fiona Sharp & Fonzarelli
RESERVE Vicky Hammond & Galway Grey
PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION
Neve Cruikshank & Matariki Halo
RESERVE Jessica Buchanan & Emir Jabari
NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION
Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Hall
RESERVE Hannah Johnston & Worldly Wisdom
ELEMENTARY CHAMPION
Rebecca Clarke & Turbo Timer Ace
RESERVE Theresa Kingipotiki & Glenayr
Roulette
MEDIUM CHAMPION
Allie Harper & Hi D'Zine MH
RESERVE Cate Davidson & Rossellini
MEDIUM PONY CHAMPION
Kate Stalker & Rifesyde Prancer
ADV MEDIUM CHAMPION
Mary Davis & Denzel MH
RESERVE Judy Stalker & Dreams GT
YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION
Kate Hamilton & II Mafioso
RESERVE Heidi Kendrick & Kazmere Curiosity
ADVANCED CHAMPION
Sonja Swale & Gusto Dracaena
RESERVE Kerrie Morrison & Allitation
SMALL TOUR CHAMPION
Wendy Butler & Sisters II Whitney H
RESERVE Debbie Rutherford & Donna Lilly
MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION
Sonia McLachlan & Alliarna
RESERVE Rachel Thomas & Gurteens Velvet
GRAND PRIX CHAMPION
Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Day
RESERVE Fiona Sharp & New World Finesse
NZ HANOVERIAN SOCIETY AWARDS
PRELIMINARY TO MEDIUM
Allie Harper & Hi D'Zine MH
ADVANCED MEDIUM TO GRAND PRIX
Mary Davis & Denzel MH
YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION
Kate Hamilton & II Mafioso
RESERVE Heidi Kendrick & Kazmere Curiosity
PONY RIDER 13 – 16 YEARS
Kate Stalker & Rifesyde Prancer
RESERVE Neve Cruikshank & Matariki Halo
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National Championships at all levels plus Bronze and Silver Championships up to Advanced Medium (formerly known as Amateur) plus the ProAM Championships for Advanced to Grand Prix.
Young horse championships (4-7yrs) will be held over two rounds with the 22/2023 Championhips awarded.
A huge thanks to Bates Saddles and Weatherbeeta naming rights sponsors who have committed to March 2023 when we will have the opportunity to reset our routine with an all-important CDI CDIY 3* (Grand Prix level) and CDIY (Young Rider – Prix St Georges level ) – The CDI Grand Prix 3* and CDIY only under FEI rules. CLICK HERE TO READ https://inside.
With the strict requirement to follow the requirements of the FEI Horse Health App https://inside.fei.org/hub/it-services/mobileapps/%20fei_horseapp and arrival inspection.
All other classes at the 2023 event will be under national rules, and will incorporate
The 2023 Para Equestrian Championships for all grades will also be contested so once again, it is going to be an all-round superb extravaganza of dressage.
A more detailed timetable of feature events will be announced soon.
Sponsorship, marketing and trade stand opportunities are available by contacting Lisa Marcroft lisamarcroft123@gmail.com
General Enquiries to the Event Director Cassie Freeman: dressagenationals@gmail.com or Dressage Sport Manager at: dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz
Taupo NEC (NCH/RE) 27-28 January Friday & Saturday
ESNZ National Titles (NCH) Hyland Pony Championship (Pony FEI tests – Medium level) the Waldebago Trophy for Young Rider Championship (Young Rider FEI tests – Prix St Georges level), and the KH Arvan Trophy for the U25 Grand Prix. All other grades and /or age group competitions include event championship titles. No prior qualification required. The York Corporation Inter-Island Team Challenge will be another feature of the event.
DOWNGRADED HORSES & PONIES
May compete in any class or classes which do not contribute to an ESNZ National title as above Refer to Annex 3 of the 2022 Rule Book re Young Rider Competitions and Art 463 re Downgraded Horses & Ponies
Good news for all riders, there will be no prior qualification for the 2023 event but if excessive entries are received, then wait lists and balloting may be implemented.
South Island Zilco -FINAL Rider
The crowd pleasing Zilco Musical Freestyle Series will be a feature again this season from Novice through to Grand Prix. Refer to the current Dressage Test Book for the Freestyle Tests from Novice(L2) through to Advanced (L6). Small tourFEI Int I FS(L7), Medium Tour (L8) and Grand Prix (L9 use the current FEI tests) PLEASE CHECK FOR ANY FEI UPDATES THAT MAY BE EFFECTIVE FROM 1 JAN 2023
GO TO THE FEI WEBSITE FOR GUIDELINES ON THESE TESTS. (updated 2021)
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. Top 5 National Awards will be presented at the 2023 Awards Dinner.
Points table managed directly by Dressage NZ PROGRESSIVE RESULTS CAN BE VIEWED THROUGH THE SEASON BY CLICKING HERE....
Novice
Fernlea Diamond HallLorraine Ward-Smith 101010 40 Furst Love Note Rilee McMeekin 7 17 TH Jamie Hannah Forsyth 7 14
Jamaican Me Crazy 1 Sophie Laws 7 14 Monteleone Ronda McLaren 57 12
Elementary Le Silence est D'or Nicki Ford 77 21 Glenayr Roulette Theresa Kingipotiki 757 19 Rocklanz Schokolade Laurel Carre 7 14 Turbo Timer Ace Rebecca Clarke 77 14 Eyredale Warrior Sarah Harden 7 12 Medium
Hi D'Zine MH Allie Harper 757 19 Bloomfield Furst Love SongAnna Gale 7 14 Flash O Jan Morice 7 14 Don Darciano RS Rebecca Lawrence 7 14 Dream Girl MH Allie Harper 77 14 Advanced Medium
La Peregrina Sandy Fryatt 10 27 Fandango Julie Fraser 5 15 Denzel MH Mary Davis 5 10 15 Stellars Eagle Sarah Cornwall 55 15 Southwell RazzmatazzSandy Houston 77 14 Advanced Lovely Rita Anne Cochrane 575 22 Gusto Dracaena Sonja Swale 757 19 Vollrath Liaison Jennifer Kendall 555 15 Sanderson Amy Nicholls 7 14 Jazzaway Vanessa Baxter 5 12 Small Tour
Gymanji
Lucy Cochrane 777 31 Fernando MH Nicki Ford 10 57 29 Ruanuku R Gemma Lewis 777 21 Donna Lilly Debbie Rutherford 57 12 Sisters II Whitney H Wendy Butler 57 12 Medium Tour
The Analyst
Seija Parkkali-Glew 55 15 KP Dexter Diane Wallace 7 14 Alliarna Sonya McLachlan 57 12 Gurteens Velvet Rachel Thomas 35 8 Grand Prix
Fernlea Diamond
Rider Horse Central Districts Bay of Plenty Wellington Northern Hawkes Bay Southern Hawkes Bay
Novice 0.1
0.1
Revelwood Quickstep 101010 30 1 Raven 1010 7 27 2
Amanda Macpherson Revelwood Quickstep 101010 30 1
Henrike Puketapu HSP Raven 1010 7 27 2
Henri BHI 1010 20 3
Cooper Oborn Furst Henri BHI 1010 20 3
Fredrico 10 10 20 4 7 10 17 5 Elementary 0.1 77 10 7 31 1 Allalong 7 7 14 2 Donnerstern 7 7 14 3 Brombeere 77 14 4 SchnellKyrewood Monte Carlo 7 7 14 5 0.1 Star 10 7 10 27 1 77 7 21 2 KMH 777 21 3 Choice 7 77 21 4 Piper Trick or Treat 5 7 12 5 Advanced Medium 0.1 MH 5777 26 1 Liquorice 77 7 21 2 10 7 17 3 755 17 4 Ciel 7 7 14 5 Advanced 0.1 Hit SW 1010 7 27 1 Spark RE 10 7 10 27 2 Diamant Stern 7 7 14 3 FE 77 14 4 Special Effects 75 12 5 Tour 0.1
Kelly Diack Don Fredrico 10 10 20 4
Ann Webster Aysha 7 10 17 5 Elementary 0.1
Robyn Warren Alibi 77 10 7 31 1
Rachel Hucker BL Allalong 7 7 14 2
Claudia Younger CDS Donnerstern 7 7 14 3
Kelly Diack Don Brombeere 77 14 4
Sarah SchnellKyrewood Monte Carlo 7 7 14 5 Medium 0.1
Amanda Macpherson Frieden Star 10 7 10 27 1
Nikki Lourie Donnay 77 7 21 2
Ruth Fenemor Clarity KMH 777 21 3
Nicole Wallace First Choice 7 77 21 4
Frankie Lawn Pied Piper Trick or Treat 5 7 12 5 Advanced Medium 0.1
Cindy Wiffin Santana MH 5777 26 1
Carol Bloomfield Tuahu Liquorice 77 7 21 2
Cooper Oborn Joniro 10 7 17 3
Amy Brosnan La Ping 755 17 4
Jenny Clarke Mon Bleu Ciel 7 7 14 5 Advanced 0.1
Susan Tomlin Dance Hit SW 1010 7 27 1
Penny Pearce Just A Spark RE 10 7 10 27 2
Philippa Gibbons SWE Diamant Stern 7 7 14 3
Rebecca MobberleySayonara FE 77 14 4
Hannah ThomsonJalyn Special Effects 75 12 5 Small Tour 0.1
Track Devonian STS 777 21 1 Fan E' SAN Leren 777 21 2 Smitten 55 5 15 3 BlackwoodArkenwood Donner 77 14 4 DTS 535 13 5 Tour 0.1 Dawn 7777 28 1 About Me 7 7 2 will Fly 5 5 3 BC 5 5 4 Caprio MH 5 5 5 Prix 0.1 Westfalia FE 7 1010 27 1 Hapsburg PSH 55 5 15 2 77 14 3 Andreas 10 10 4 MH 10 10 5
Toni Louisson Back on Track Devonian STS 777 21 1
Baldeep Dhillon GF Yella Fan E' SAN Leren 777 21 2
Brenda Bellringer Truly Smitten 55 5 15 3
James BlackwoodArkenwood Donner 77 14 4
Judy Jeffery Pagan DTS 535 13 5 Medium Tour 0.1
Nicki Sunley Laila Dawn 7777 28 1
Amy Sage RM All About Me 7 7 2
Kim Schwass Sparks will Fly 5 5 3
Angela Hooper Surreal BC 5 5 4
Christine ReynoldsDe Caprio MH 5 5 5 Grand Prix 0.1
Kallista Field Felix Westfalia FE 7 1010 27 1
Liz Hutson Hapsburg PSH 55 5 15 2
Cooper Oborn Aphrodite 77 14 3
Vanessa Way NSC Andreas 10 10 4
Wendi Williamson Don Vito MH 10 10 5
The Prestige Equestrian Futures Prize will be awarded to the best performed combination competing at Kiwi Arena Rakes Premier League Events 20222023 and meeting the following eligibility conditions. Horses 148cm and over, 4 -10-year-old and 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) Follow the progressive scores on EvoEvents
There are AMS Saddlery Leagues for both Pony Riders and Young Riders this season Points will be earned from graded classes at Kiwi Arena Rakes Premier League events and the Evo Events Youth Festival. The Pony League is for riders 16yrs or under at 1 August, but if a rider turns 17 on or after 1 August, they may continue to compete in the Pony League. The Young Rider League is for riders 20yrs or under at 1 August 2022 but if a rider turns 21 on or after 1 August, they may continue to compete in the League
The AMS Saddlery Pony & Young Rider Performance Leagues aim to increase participation at a Pony & Young Rider level and to establish a competition where riders compete against their peers of a similar age and experience.
ENTRIES HAVE CLOSED. Follow the progressive scores on EvoEvents
A special series for Thoroughbreds competing in Dressage Equestrian Sports NZ and NZ Thoroughbred Racing proudly present the TiES (Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sports) Dressage series. View the 2022 / 23 conditions and news here. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/programmes/ties/ https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2022/09/esnz-and-nztr-join-forces/
For riders at least 50yrs as at 1/1/22 on horses or ponies
NATIONAL SECTION
1: Preliminary and Novice
Combination Classification Preliminary Bronze or Novice Bronze
2: Preliminary and Novice Combination Classification Preliminary Silver, Preliminary Gold, Novice Silver or Novice Gold
3: Elementary to Advanced Medium Combination Classification Elementary Bronze, Medium Bronze or Advanced Medium Bronze
4: Elementary to Advanced Medium Combination Classification Elementary Silver, Medium Silver or Advanced Medium Silver
5: Elementary to Advanced Medium Combination Classification Elementary Gold, Medium Gold or Advanced Medium Gold
6: Advanced and above
Newcomer (First year member)
No classification
Open to new ESNZ graded Dressage rider with no grading points in Dressage prior to 1/4/2022
Highest age horse/rider combined Partnership Award Horse may not have earned grading points with any other rider at any time.
Owner/Horse Combo Award
Ponies are eligible but must be ridden by riders who have reached the 17 years at the 1 August 2022
And for horses over 148cm and not exceeding 163cm (verified by RAS height certificate by 1/2/23) Riders must turn at least 12yrs in the calendar year of the beginning of the competition.
Points accrue from 1/8/22 until 30/4/23
BRONZE
Preliminary & Novice
S ILVER Elementary & Medium
GOLD Advanced Medium and above
The competition is open to riders 21yrs and over at 1/8/22 and over and is run in four National divisions plus special awards, with twenty area winners, this year aligning with Gold, Silver Bronze Divisions.
Preliminary Combination Classification Preliminary Bronze or Preliminary Silver Novice Combination Classification Novice Bronze or Novice Silver Elementary Combination Classification Elementary Bronze or Elementary Silver Medium and Advanced Medium Combination Classification Medium and Advanced Medium Bronze or Medium and Advanced Medium Silver
Newcomer (First year member) Open to new ESNZ graded Dressage rider with no grading points in Dressage prior to 1/4/2022
Amateur Owner Horse with zero grading points from any other rider at any time.
Ponies: Riders 16yrs and under at 1 August 2022
Pony Preliminary Combination Classification Preliminary Bronze or Preliminary Silver
Pony Novice Combination Classification Novice Bronze or Novice Silver Pony Elementary to Advanced Medium Combination Classification Elementary to Advanced Medium Bronze or Elementary to Advanced Medium Silver
Horses: Riders must turn at least 12yrs during 2022, and be 20yrs or under at 1 August 2022
Horse Preliminary Combination Classification Preliminary Bronze or Preliminary Silver
Horse Novice Combination Classification Novice Bronze or Novice Silver Horse Elementary to Advanced Medium Combination Classification Elementary to Advanced Medium Bronze or Elementary to Advanced Medium Silver
Top Score Rider North Island 12yrs & under at 1 August 2022
Top Score Rider South Island 12yrs & under at 1 August 2022
Newcomer ESNZ graded Dressage rider Must have not earned any dressage grading points on any horse or pony prior to 1/4/2022
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