EVENT PREVIEW
MASTERCLASS SERIES OFFERED BY WAIKATO Dressage Waikato Widens the Education Opportunities thanks to Equitak Excel Prize. The 2017 Equitak Excel Team Challenge Winners, Dressage Waikato, are putting their $1500 prize to great use and are presenting another winter Masterclass Series following on from the three very popular sessions held in 2016. Waikato Area Delegate Debra Cowen is excited about the 2017 programme. “We ran three Masterclass sessions last year led by John Thompson, (as a fundraiser for John’s Olympic campaign), by Isobel Wessells (in association with ESNZ High Performance) and by Bill Noble. All three were extremely well supported, and it was clear that people wanted more. This year it has been a thrill for Waikato to win the Equitak Team Challenge prize as it means we can expand the 2017 series”
The 2017 Masterclass Series has been championed by Dressage Waikato President Bill Millar, who believes that one of the key purposes of the Area Groups should be to offer education opportunities as well as competitions for riders. For many years there have been an abundance of competition opportunities within the Waikato, with events offered by Dressage Waikato, Morrinsville/Te Aroha Dressage Group, the Waikato Combined Equestrian Centre (WEC) and more recently the Waikato School of Dressage, but there has been a distinct lack of opportunities for learning in a group session, which the Dressage Waikato Masterclass Series is looking to cover. The Equitak Excel Masterclasses are to be held at the well presented indoor arena of Airthrey Lodge, owned by Linda Moughan. Linda has been a supporter of Dressage Waikato for a
number of years, and her facility is perfect for the Masterclasses, with the Indoor arena being nicely sheltered from the inclement weather which no doubt will be hitting during the winter months. Any additional funds raised from the Masterclass Series will be used to support Training and Development initiatives run by Dressage Waikato for next season, including the continuation of the Superior Rubber Surfaces Dressage Waikato Rider Squad, and Judges and Stewards Training. The Masterclass Series starts on 21 May with local trainer and Dressage Waikato supporter Christine Weal presenting “ Starting Lateral Work” followed by dates in June (Andrea Raves), July (Tracy Smith), August (Bill Noble) and September (Jody Hartstone). For the August and September dates, Dressage Waikato will be asking for volunteer riders to work with Bill and Jody.
Dressage Waikato Equitak Excel Masterclass Series 2017 Masterclass 1 – May 21 with Christine Weal - On starting Lateral Work Masterclass 2 – June 11 with Andrea Raves - On the Training Scale and arena-craft Masterclass 3 – July 9 with Tracy Smith - On the Road to Flying Changes Masterclass 4 – August 20 with Bill Noble – On Developing Cadence* Masterclass 5 – September 10 with Jody Hartstone - On Resolving Conflict and Behavioural Issues with Dressage Horses* See www.dressagewaikato.co.nz for booking details
Photo Dark Horse Photography
Held at the indoor arena at Airthrey Lodge, 1045 Victoria Road, Hautapu,
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