AN ABRUPT HALT TO EVOEVENTS U25 YOUTH FESTIVAL

Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Libby Law Photography

The EvoEvents Youth Festival was all set for another memorable event, but sadly torrential Friday overnight rain made it somewhat memorable for the wrong reasons. However the smiles, friendships and talent of our youth competitors will always be the winners no matter the weather.

Despite the cancellation of the second day there was still much to celebrate - an outstanding feeling of support amongst the riders, families, support crews, officials and the organizing committee. Combine this with 150 combinations from the most delightful Lead Rein combination through the levels to very accomplished Grand Prix, all beautifully turned out and giving their best and then the unmounted prizegiving on Saturday morning, again immaculately turned-out riders, it was all in all a heartwarming event.

The cancellation of the second day was particularly hard for the families waiting for news of flooding in their hometowns and wondering when they could get home and those that had travelled from the South Island. However, the South Island team of Holly Hanson, Madeleine Collins, Gemma Lewis and Paige Fitzgerald were duly rewarded with a win in the Richmond Saddlery Team Challenge for the coveted York Corporation Trophy.

Game Changer & Fairplay nominations were called for with four awards made at prizegiving and a further one awarded to Olivia Chuck after the event.

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS GAME CHANGER AWARD: EMMA DICKONS NOMINATED BY CENTRAL DISTRICTS RIDERS.

Emma has taken a group of Central Districts young riders under her wing. She has mentored them this season teaching them not only ridden skills for dressage, but also supported them and their parents to develop an understanding of the rules so we feel comfortable at competitions. She offers to warm them up and always makes time to offer support and guidance even though she is usually competing multiple horses herself.

ESNZ & DRESSAGE NZ CHANGE THE REIN / GAME CHANGER AWARDS: Leaha Rowlands for saving the day when Maddie Collins used a new product on her saddle and when the rain hit it turned to black liquid dying white her breeches black! Leaha noticed how devastated Maddie was and came over and offered her a pair of her breeches to wear. We felt this was great sportsmanship.

• Cindy Wiffin for bringing two of her riding school girls to this event taking three days of her time to coach and support them after teaching them dressage skills

• Olivia Chuck (Northland) while waiting for news if the road to home was open, Oliva tidied up the covered yard block after most people had departed, sweeping the alleyway clean, removing all hay left in yards, and generally making the yards tidy for the next event.

• Bella Frew for offering to dry another rider’s jacket with their heater after the rain began and the rider got a soaking during her test.

NZ HANOVERIAN SOCIETY AWARDS

ADV MEDIUM TO GRAND PRIX

Lucarne Dolley and Ardmore

PRELIMINARY TO MEDIUM

Amy Sage and HPH Furst Welcome

AREA TEAMS EVENT

Waikato Red: Grace Purdie and SkyHi Leandro K, Margot Wilde and Cherrywood Cosmopolitan, Lucarne Dolley and Ardmore, Morgan Beere and Redwood Furst Affair

NTH ISLAND VS STH ISLAND CHALLENGE

YORK CORPORATION TROPHY

South Island: Gemma Lewis and Ruanuku R, Madeleine Collins and Buckton Denniston, Holly Hanson and Hot Gossip, Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria

PONY CHAMPIONSHIP

HYLAND TROPHY

Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria

YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIP

WALDEBAGO TROPHY

Anna Wilson and Neversfelde Rupert

U25 GRAND PRIX CHAMPION

FISSENDEN TROPHY

Lucarne Dolley and Ardmore

MOST CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

Lucarne Dolley and Ardmore

GAME CHANGER AWARDS - RIDERS

Emma Dickons (Central Districts)

Leaha Rowlands (Canterbury)

Olivia Chuck (Northland)

GAME CHANGER AWARDS - SUPPORT TEAM

Bella Frew

LEAD REIN CHAMPION

Charlotte Copeman and Jubilee Hidden Asset

NON GRADED 12 YEARS AND UNDER CHAMPION

Ciana Cooper and Laurieston Royal Elite

RESERVE Alexia Thomas and Merivale Park Opening Night

JUNIOR CHAMPION 12-17 YEARS

Tessa Morgan and Manuka Memphis SWB

RESERVE Bridie King and BSF Coleraine Wind Chaser

PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION

Violet Jones and Golden Shadow

RESERVE Piper Crake and Rheinhart’s Steel

NOVICE PONY CHAMPION

Brooklyn Rankin and KS Mr Postman

RESERVE Katy Payne and Dragonbach Master Rielly

ELEMENTARY PONY CHAMPION

Grace Purdie and Skyhi Leandro K

RESERVE Charlee Halewood and Ty Gwyn Riviera

FEI PONY CHAMPION

Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria

RESERVE Sophie Frew and Broadview Expressive

MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION

Brina Carpenter and Parkridge Disco SW

KH ARVAN TROPHY GRAND PRIX CHAMPION

Lucarne Dolley and Ardmore

RESERVE Amy Sage and RM All About Me

PARA EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION

Leah Bibby and Tiberius II

RESERVE Natalie James and Wild Thyme MI

FEI YOUTH CHAMPION

Madison Schollum and Kinnordy Golda

RESERVE Anna Wilson and Neversfelde Rupert

PRELIMINARY CHAMPION

Tiffany Owen and Fauve

RESERVE Francesca Masfen and Riverrock Falcon

NOVICE YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION

Emma Dickons and Divani REQ

RESERVE Elsie Allsop and Remington II

ELEMENTARY YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION

Rachel Hucker and BL Allalong

RESERVE Claudia Younger and CDS Donnerstern

MEDIUM YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION

Amy Sage and HPH Furst Welcome

RESERVE Madeleine Collins and Buckton Denniston

ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPION

Holly Hanson and Hot Gossip

RESERVE Samantha Belsham and Dolcetto II

ADVANCED CHAMPION

Ella Rankin and Tuahu Vance

RESERVE Francesca Masfen and Kinnordy Gallilee

Waikato’s Lucarne Dolley leaves the Youth ranks with an impressive list of accolades earned over nine years competing at the Youth Festival culminating with the 2023 U25 Grand Prix Championship aboard her beloved Ardmore.