INSPIRING THE WAY TO GRAND PRIX

Article by Wendy Hamerton Photos by Libby Law Photography (unless stated)

The NZ Pro–am Championships deliver a similar concept to the FEI Grand Prix Amateur Division and the Dressage Australia Amateur Owner Rider Divisions. Eligibility for both these awards are based on the source of the athlete’s income and this is sets the NZL Pro–am awards apart - eligibility being based solely on performance.

1. ADVANCED: Rider with no points at level 7 or above at date of close of entry.

2. BRONZE TOUR: Rider with no points at level 8 or above at date of close of entry.

3. SILVER TOUR: Rider with no points in level 9 at date of close of entry.

4. GOLD TOUR: Rider not to have achieved 60% or over in a Grand Prix at any CDI 3* or above at date of close of entry.

The 2022 Pro–am winners at the Bates Nationals were unanimous in their support, all citing incentive and appreciation.

A MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSOR –VW DRESSAGE (VANESSA WAY)

"For me it is about supporting riders that are aiming for the higher grades and knowing how challenging this is and the huge effort it takes. I really wanted to see their achievements recognised, and then seeing the winners receive their rosettes and rugs with genuine happiness and gratitude makes me so happy for them."

FEI MEDIUM TOUR – NICKI SUNLEY AND LEILA DAWN

Having the VW Pro–am championship available literally gave me the incentive to enter the Bates National Champs. I felt supported as a rider to be able to compete in a format where recognition is given to those who are starting out in the higher levels. It is often daunting to say the least to even enter the warmup arena, let alone the competition arena amongst our amazing top level riders, so to be able to compete at this level and be acknowledged for doing so as an amateur was fantastic. I was utterly thrilled and proud to win the championship, and a huge thank you must go to Vanessa for her amazing support. I would like to think that the Pro–am champs give more amateur riders the motivation to keep going, to keep improving, and keep working through the grades. It is truly rewarding to do so and can only benefit our sport as a whole if more riders feel supported to do so.

GRAND PRIX – JEN SIM AND STONEYLEA LANCELOT

Competing in the Grand Prix is a daunting experience and when you are an amateur up against the big guns it’s even more scary. The VW Pro–am is a wonderful initiative to recognize the riders in a different league to the rest of the field. It’s such a fabulous award and means so much to me as it celebrates the achievements of the group of less experienced riders at the higher levels.

FEI SMALL TOUR - JAMES BLACKWOOD AND ARKENWOOD DONNERVALE

Often the top placings in the higher level classes are dominated by a small group of professional riders who are out there day in and day out training multiple horses and deservingly, getting great results.

The VW Pro–am awards give the non-professional riders something to aim for and an opportunity to be more competitive - even if we might still be aiming to beat the professionals too!!

It was a nice surprise to come away with the VW Pro–am Small Tour award. Vanessa’s sponsorship of the awards certainly doesn’t go unnoticed by the riders and it is awesome to have the support of one of New Zealand’s top riders on an amateur level. Cooper (my partner) trains on a regular basis with Vanessa and I have been fortunate enough to learn a lot from observing those lessons and regularly pick up tips which I implement in my own riding. Vanessa is a great coach,

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and an amazing rider and we really appreciate the support she is providing NZ Dressage through her sponsorship of the Pro–am awards.

ADVANCED – BECKY CORLETT AND TRUE DONNAR

It was such a thrill to win this title. Competing in the Advanced section at the 2022 Nationals was like riding in the Grand Prix - there were so many Grand Prix riders and international quality horses! The VWD Pro–am Championship is fantastic for amateur combinations to aim for when riding in a high level against “professionals”. It puts us on a level play field with other first timers, much like the rider categories do for the lower levels. I loved being yarded between Reserve Champion Pip (Gibbons) and Advanced Open Champion (Susan Tomlin) as there was a real sense of comradeship and support. It is a privilege to ride at this level on my self-produced horse and sharing the week with Jo (my Mum) and my son Angus was a special treat.