SOUTH ISLAND DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS - A SWELTERING SUCCESS

The Crawford Hill Jewellery South Island Dressage Championships 2023 was outstanding with thanks to the composite South Island Area Committee capably led by the SI Riders Representative Anna Gale.

Glyn East Hall, visiting judges from Queensland (Karen Herald and Jobina Kennedy) numerous trade stands and the best competition from 155 horses and ponies all making for a three-day dressage fest. There were many stunning performances across the grades.

There was always agreement that the centrally located and well-appointed Christchurch NEC was the ideal venue for the event, but the organisation always landed with the Dressage Canterbury team who felt over committed to a number of local events, Canterbury Championships and the annual Festival of Future Stars.

But now in their second year of a combined area organising team, the concept has been an outstanding success. the venue was picture perfect. The entry was marked by stunning roses in the Jill Gould Memorial Garden, add in the new judges’ huts, numerous well-presented arenas, a refreshed

A special congratulations is much deserved for Lorraine and Archie Ward-Smith from Oamaru who should be justifiably proud of three home bred Fernlea stars. To breed, raise, train and compete not just one but two horses of the quality of the ten year old mare Fernlea Diamond Day (Donnerubin DC/ Fernlea Danndi/Donnerwind V) and the six year old full brother Fernlea Diamond Hall, to Grand Prix Reserve Champion and Novice Champion respectively is an extraordinarily inspirational achievement. Add to this, the seven-year-old Elementary Champion Fernlea Don Reveille (Donnerubin DC/ Anarose/ Anamour) also from their boutique stud, owned and competed by Lynette Wood, it truly shows what can be achieved by a smart breeding programme combined with superb horsemanship.

2023 naming rights sponsor, Kelly Crawford from Rangiora based Crawford Hill Jewellery was truly impressed by the event noting it had great spectator appeal, and at Monday’s final prize giving announced their commitment to support the event again in 2024.

The event wrapped up another season of the SI Super 5 League and Zilco Musical Freestyle Series. Both series were well supported all season with riders travelling to contest these and the newly introduced Land Rover Team Leagues.

Sixteen South Island teams entered in the inaugural Land Rover Team Leagues, eight each in the Youth and Welcome Leagues.

The Youth League was very tightly contested with just 11 points separating first and second after eleven qualifying events. A great win for the South Island Red team who maximized their chances with all seven team members scoring points for a total 519, but all credit must also go to the Blue team whose team of four scored 508 points.

The Welcome League was truly outstanding win for the all Canterbury Forward Power team who notched up a massive 929pts to win from the Mainland Defenders who scored 528. With just one qualifying event remaining in the North Island, the South Island team look to be hot favourites to win the National League with their closest rivals, the DC Divas currently on 664 points.

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Crawford Hill Jewellery South Island Dressage Championships 2023

YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE 4YO

Rilee McMeekin and Furst Gemini

YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE 5YO

Fiona Sharp and Fonzarelli

RESERVE Sharon Templeton and Los Angeles AH

YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE 6YO

Candice Nichol and Falcon O

YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE 7YO

Julie Fraser and Fandango

BRONZE PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Anna Bryant and Highly Deceptive

RESERVE Anna Bryant and Jenga

OPEN PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Mikayla Wildermoth and Donnerock EH

RESERVE Fiona Sharp and Fonzarelli

PONY PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Chloe Foster and Amberleigh Prima Donna

RESERVE Paige Jopp and Kaimai Huckleberry

NON-GRADED PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Catherine Somerville and Queen of Swing

RESERVE Karen Withell and Diamonds are Forever

NOVICE BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP

Charlotte Johnson and Lady Cartier

RESERVE Heidi Hart and Furstenline

NOVICE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Lorraine Ward-Smith and Fernlea Diamond Hall

RESERVE Rilee McMeekin and Furst Love Note

PONY NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

Olivia McFarlane and Mr Silver

RESERVE Scarlett Rodd and Almost Legal

NON GRADED NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

Tania Boyd and Arcoda’s Natural Honour

RESERVE Victoria Barrell and Archeron

ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Lynette Wood and Fernlea Don Reveille

RESERVE Nicki Ford and Le Silence est D’or

PONY ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Alice Murfitt and Arapito Kowhai

MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Candice Nichol and Falcon O

RESERVE Cherie Pearson and Dulcet

MEDIUM PONY CHAMPIONSHIP

Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria

RESERVE Gemma Lewis and Pennywise Effervescent

ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Lynley Stockdale and Leominster

RESERVE Sandy Fryatt and La Peregrina

ADVANCED CHAMPIONSHIP

Vanessa Baxter and Jazzaway

RESERVE Phillipa Mcleod and Donneregal

SMALL TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Nicki Ford and Fernando MH

RESERVE Amelia French and Wisdom WDS

MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPHIONSHIP

Diane Wallace and KP Dexter

RESERVE Sonya McLachlan and Alliarna

GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP

Catherine Tobin and I Like It

RESERVE Lorraine Ward-Smith and Fernlea Diamond Day

CHAMPION PONY RIDER UNDER 12 YEARS

Everley Gilmore

CHAMPION JUNIOR RIDER

Mikayla Wildermoth

CHAMPION MASTERS RIDER

Lynley Stockdale

ROANOAKE JUST TRU TROPHY

Nicki Ford and Le Silence est D’or

MONIQUE MEMORIAL TROPHY HIGHEST MUSICAL % LEVEL 6-9

Diane Wallace and KP Dexter 68.5%

STL LINEHAUL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

SCNO Hold On Tight (Phillipa Mcleod, Lynette Wood, Candice Nichol, Lorraine Ward-Smith)