NZ NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS – 25 YEARS TOGETHER WITH BATES SADDLES

Article by Wendy Hamerton Photos by Libby Law Photography

Bravo to Bates Saddles and the entire support team for delivering not just one but two hugely successful national championsips in four months - thank you to the riders who inspired us all, raising the bar to a whole new level showing the true Kiwi can do spirit.

was hosted on Thursday evening with long time Bates ambassador Louisa Hill telling the Bates story prior to David cutting the special lemon cake.

The stars of the show were Melissa Galloway and Windermere J'Obei W who broke two New Zealand records and scored personal bests in

The 25th version of Bates NZ National Dressage Championships received many accolades, the highest being from David Jones-Parry, Bates Saddles New Zealand representative, who considered it to be the “best yet”. The twenty-fiveyear partnership is a testament to the wonderful working relationship between David, the Bates parent company and Dressage NZ who share a common vision to provide an outstanding event available to a wide range of competitors, fostering friendships and great performances. A wonderful surprise twenty-fiveyear purple and gold themed party both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle taking the Burkner Medal for the 2023 Grand Prix Championship ahead of the 2022 Champions Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH.

Each year the standard at every level exceeds expectations with exciting new combinations emerging and returning combinations moving up the grades. All credit to the many South Island combinations who made the long trek amidst major ferry disruptions and the Northlanders faced with long detours and who went on to score well despite these stressful distractions.

A CDI 3* added another dimension with the opportunity for NZL Grand Prix riders to be assessed by the very experienced panel of international judges and thanks to a valuable collaboration with ESNZ High Performance, 5* Isobel Wessels (GBR) was there giving riders an immediate comparison with her European scores and the chance for FEI Olympic Group G ranking points with an early focus on a place at Paris 2024 Olympics for New Zealand. The CDIY for young riders 16-21 attracted a number of newcomers to this level of competition which is rewarding for the sport.

Championships were contested at Bronze, Silver & Open sections up to Advanced Medium plus ProAm divisions at Advanced and all three FEI levels.

There was an outstanding line up of young horses in the 4 -7 yr old age groups, the champions being decided over two rounds. The quality and presentation of training appropriate for each age group impressed both the judges and the audience who stayed to watch the two top placegetters in each division and listen to the expert commentary of Isobel Wessels.

The event is also the muchcoveted annual championships for all grades of Para Dressage athletes whose dedication and enthusiasm is second to none. They also enjoyed an informal off horse session with Lisa Baker FEI Para Judge from Australia .

The finals of the North Island

Super 5 League were featured on day one, and the National Super 5 NI Series & National League Champions determined by the scores attained at this event and the South Island Championships

Dressage NZ acknowledges with much gratitude all the supporting sponsors, trade stands, officials, scorers, runners, writers, and volunteers who contributed so much to the success of the event. So much goes on behind the competition scene to deliver an event that offers so much.

Thank you all https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/bates-national-championships/

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL RESULTS FROM THE EVENT.

Crusader 200

W

VOM FEINSTEN TROPHY

GRAND PRIX WINNER -

TIRONUI TROPHY

GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE -

BURKNER MEDAL GRAND PRIX

Bates Saddles National Dressage Championships Special Awards

HELEN HOLDEN MEMORIAL TROPHY - AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

AUCKLAND-MANUKAU

Samantha Belsham & Dolcetto II

Brina Carpenter & Parkridge Disco SW

Sarah Holmes & Nina DW

Angela Lloyd & Cashin's World Star

NZ HANOVERIAN SOCIETY AWARD

BEST PERFORMED HANOVERIAN

PRELIMINARY TO MEDIUM

Vanessa Way & Buggatti MH

NZ HANOVERIAN SOCIETY AWARD

BEST PERFORMED HANOVERIAN

ADV MEDIUM TO GRAND PRIX

Vanessa Way & BL All By Chance

RAKAUNUI STUD TROPHY - BEST PERFORMED MARE & ANAMOUR MEMORIAL TROPHY

Young Dressage Horse National Awards

(YDH classes sponsored by River Park Farm)

THE MATTHEWS

HANOVERIANS TROPHY - 4YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE

Rochelle Speirs and Orinoco

F.A.B (by Incognito out of Zakira (by Scandic)) owned by David Brougham -

THE GLENVAR STUD TROPHY - BEST NZ BRED YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE AND THE ELITE EQUINE TROPHY - 5YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE

Lorraine Ward-Smith and Fernlea Diamond Hall (by Donnerubin DC out of Fernlea Danndi (by Donnerwind V)) bred by Lorraine and Archie Ward-Smith -

THE ASTEK STUD TROPHY - 6YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE

Candice Nicol and Falcon O (by Furstenball out of Vollrath Latika (by Lessing)) bred by Ohuatahi Warmbloods

Bates Saddles National Dressage Championships Awards

BEST PERFORMED PONY RIDER

PRELIMINARY TO ELEMENTARY

Piper Crake & Cinder Strike

BEST PERFORMED ADULT

PONY RIDER PRELIMINARY TO ELEMENTARY

Kimberley Trow & Master Daniel of Nicholas Lodge

BEST PERFORMED THOROUGHBRED AWARD

Samantha Fechney & Shockings Showman

HUNNIMAN TROPHY

TOP SCORE % PARA EQUESTRIAN

Rachel Hughes & HPH Benedict

New Zealand Hanoverian and Rheinland International performance bred horses

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World Championships – Antonello and Vom Feinsten Rhein.

World Cup Dressage Finals – DeJaVu MH (De Niro)

They have also won at International 3* and 4* Eventing at Boekelo – Henton Attorney General (Anamour) and at Barbury - Clifton Signature (Espri) www.nzhanoverian.com

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Breed willing, noble and correct horses - for versatility and rideability.

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These results are not a coincidence. Generations of excellence creates performance.

NOVICE BRONZE CHAMPION

Rebecca Merrick & Beaufield Florencia

RESERVE Jessica Sutherland & Easy Going

NOVICE SILVER CHAMPION

Helen Young & Vollrath Lorde

RESERVE Mckenzie Dew & Roof of Reckoning

NOVICE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP (Killala Trophy)

Holly Leach & HPE Barbados (Pictured right)

RESERVE Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond

Hall

MEDIUM BRONZE CHAMPION

Augusta Hampton & Arnage Rhumba

RESERVE Fiora Au & Pia

MEDIUM SILVER CHAMPION

Bronwyn Paul & Lindt

RESERVE Yvette Wilson & Crystal Mt Vitoria

MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION (Doornbos Trophy)

Candice Nichol & Falcon O (Pictured right)

RESERVE Vanessa Way & Buggatti MH

PRELIMINARY BRONZE CHAMPION

Rochelle Robertson & JHT Fancy Pants

RESERVE Renee Hogg & CDS Donnernoire

PRELIMINARY SILVER CHAMPION

Samantha Fechney & Shockings Showman

RESERVE Charlotte Grant & Now's The Time PSH

PRELIMINARY OPEN CHAMPION (Aztec Trophy)

Casey Burton & Fanciful MH (Pictured left)

RESERVE Ottilie Upshall & El Segundo (Pictured)

ELEMENTARY BRONZE CHAMPION

Hanna Luostari & Oldbrooke Debut

RESERVE Kylie Littleford & Sweet Lucille

ELEMENTARY SILVER CHAMPION

Claudia Younger & CDS Donnerstern

RESERVE Sarah Schnell & Kyrewood Monte Carlo

ELEMENTARY OPEN CHAMPION (Tuna Lodge Trophy)

Claudia Younger & CDS Donnerstern (Pictured Left)

RESERVE Alison Summers & Regent Street (Pictured)

ADVANCED CHAMPION (Hobson Trophy)

Cooper Oborn & Irish Coffee

RESERVE Vanessa Way & NSC Jolie DW

PROAM SMALL TOUR CHAMPION

Anna Wilson & Neversfelde Rupert

RESERVE Kathryn Corry & Anuschka PSH

SMALL TOUR CHAMPION (Surrey Trophy)

Madison Schollum & Kinnordy Golda (Pictured right)

RESERVE Melissa Galloway & Windermere Integro

ADV MEDIUM BRONZE CHAMPION

Vicki Gibbs & Donero RH

RESERVE Alice Cochran & Alacatraz

ADV MEDIUM SILVER CHAMPION

Renai Hart & Smilla

RESERVE Sophie de Clifford & Riverrock Nigella

ADV MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION (Kentucky Trophy)

Penny Pearce & Papanui Just Dynamite (Pictured left)

RESERVE Cooper Oborn & Joniro

PROAM MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION

Brina Carpenter & Parkridge Disco SW

RESERVE Angela Hooper & Surreal BC

MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION (Trotter Trophy)

Vanessa Way & BL All By Chance (Pictured left)

RESERVE Brina Carpenter & Parkridge Disco SW

GRAND PRIX CHAMPION (Burkner Medal)

Melissa Galloway & Windermere J'Obei W

RESERVE Wendi Williamson & Don Vito MH

FEI YOUNG RIDER CLASSIC

Ben Weir & NPE Del Rico (Pictured right)

RESERVE Gemma Lewis & Ruanuku R (Pictured)

FEI PONY CLASSIC

Frankie Lawn & Pied Piper Trick or Treat

RESERVE Paige Fitzgerald & Greenmoor Euphoria

7YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION

Julie Fraser & Fandango (Pictured right)

PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE I CHAMPION

Jodie Thorne & Ira Hayes

PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE II CHAMPION

Aimee Prout & Laghmor

RESERVE Nicola Essex & Mirako SP

4YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION

Rochelle Speirs & Orinoco F.A.B (Pictured left)

RESERVE Casey Burton & Fanciful MH (Pictured)

5YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION

Lorraine Ward-Smith & Fernlea Diamond Hall

RESERVE Fiona Sharp & Fonzarelli

6YO YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE CHAMPION

Candice Nichol & Falcon O

RESERVE Cassandra Dally & Jazdan Dark Kennedy CD

PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE III CHAMPION

Rachel Hughes & HPH Benedict

PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE IV CHAMPION

Anne Watts & Josephs Dream (Pictured left)

RESERVE Sally Essex & I Romulus

PARA EQUESTRIAN GRADE V CHAMPION

Chelsea Burns & DSE Lannister

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