YOUNG RIDER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ANNA WILSON AND NEVERSFELDE RUPERT

Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Libby Law Photography

In her last season of riding in the U21 Young Rider division,Waikato rider Anna Wilson secured her name on the Waldebago Trophy.

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With the wet weather calling the shots for the Young Rider Championships, most titles were determined from just a single qualifying test, and so it was for the Duncan Equine Young Rider & U25 Small Tour, the FEI Young Rider Individual Test. It was a close-run challenge, with just fractions of a percentage separating the top three placegetters. Winners Madison Schollum and Kinnordy Golda (U25 Division, 65.735), Anna second on 65.34 with Neversfelde Rupert and Gemma Lewis from Canterbury on Ruanuku R into third with 65.147

Now into her third year with Neversfelde Rupert, Anna feels their partnership has really developed. “He is quite the personality! That first couple of seasons I was still just getting to know him and working out how to ride [the tests] because it was my first time at those levels. I think this season we are a bit more established in what we are doing. We have found a bit more harmony in our work I guess you could say, and a bit more understanding of each other.”

Chatting with Anna it is hard to believe she is just twenty-one. Her quietly confident manner and a maturity beyond her years shine through – it is clear to see why she has also picked up the roles of Head Coach at her local Tamahere Pony Club and Deputy Chairperson of the Dressage NZ Youth Council. The council is a fantastic initiative created to provide support and education for young riders. The Council has its own Facebook group dedicated to pony and young riders, including contacts to reach out to for support, and educational webinars. “We did a sort of How-To guide recently for the younger members who might not have done too much competing yet” explains Anna. “Especially at those Premier League Shows, everyone’s there in their fancy clothes and there are flash horses and trucks… if you’re a younger rider that’s more grassroots or doesn’t yet have many connections in dressage then it can be pretty overwhelming.”

For now, Anna has her sights firmly on the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show and the 2023 Bates Nationals with both Neversfelde Rupert and her station bred roany pony Gizbo. She trains with Sophie de Clifford and Nicole Sweney and plans to keep enjoying every minute of her sport. “I love the joy of achieving your goal and working together with the horse as a partnership. I love the technical aspect and working on all the little details that you don’t really see but which can make a big difference to your scores. I also love the training at home, working on stuff, and those moments where it all comes together.”

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE DRESSAGE NZ YOUTH COUNCIL?

It is easy! If you’re U25, and competing in graded or ungraded dressage, or simply interested in anything dressage, please request to join here: https://www. facebook.com/groups/nzydc