DressageNZ Bulletin

Issue 15 | October 2017

EQUIDAYS - Starting list announced

VANESSA'S EUROPEAN MEMOIRS

EQUITANA - Auckland is ready to shine

EDITORIAL

FROM THE EDITOR WELCOME TO THE FIFTEENTH ISSUE OF THE DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN The DressageNZ Bulletin is the official magazine of Dressage NZ - a discipline of Equestrian Sports NZ

Editor: Wendy Hamerton E: dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz Design and Production: www.snaffledesign.co.nz Graphic Design, Sales & Advertising: Sarah Gray Email: sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz Copyright © Snaffle Design and Dressage NZ 2017 Cover Image: Heidi Green & Jubilee True Colours Photo Credit: Vanessa Adcock Back Image: John Thompson & JHT Antonello Photo Credit: Libby Law

Apology

The Dressage NZ Bulletin wishes to apologise to the NZ Hanoverian Society and all associated parties for inadvertently publishing an article in the September issue which referenced the Hanoverian and Rheinlander studbooks in a manner which was not entirely accurate. This article is no longer available in the September issue.

Have you noticed how so often an event or occasion we are preparing for seems so far away, we think there’s plenty of time to get organised and so we lose a bit of focus?

Next minute it’s the last minute, and we’re crashing around finalising everything, pretending to be cool about it all (or not), but secretly wishing we’d started doing the research and finalising the details a lot sooner.

One year from now the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon will have wrapped up. It’ll be all over, and Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the new focus. Scary thought?

This far out we have had to provisionally book flights from Europe for our horses into the special quarantine area at the Games venue. Not sure whether to be amused or offended that the air transport provider came back to us to check if NZL was really sending a dressage team to the Games......

But that is the plan, and the first teleconference meeting has been held with riders on the ESNZ High Performance squad to discuss the logistics. It takes a huge commitment to plan for something this far out with no 100% surety that you will be going. It’s this type of commitment that will get us there. It’s a hugely expensive exercise – a team exercise we last undertook in 1998. It will be a twenty year hiatus since the intrepid Jude Simpson managed the threesome of Kallista Field, Cindy Kent and Catherine Smallbone in the third edition of the Games in Rome. There were eighteen teams with the team podium being GER, NED, and SWE. NZL was 18th just behind Canada, but we were incredibly proud of those pioneers. There were 82 competitors and we were 66th, 70th and 75th. Kallista Field subsequently competed as an individual on Jamahl in Jerez in 2002.

We’ve come a long way in 20yrs. A team goal? To win a team place at Tokyo.

Let’s all get behind the project. This is about NZL Team Dressage, not just about individuals, although of course we know they are the key players. Come along and see us at site P10 at Equidays and talk about how we can do this together. We can do this....

Wendy Hamerton DressageNZ Bulletin Editor

2 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

Wendy.

CONTENTS

4

18

30

36

4

8

THE WOW FACTOR

CONTENT

41

10

12

DRESSAGE WORLD’S BEST AT EQUITANA AUCKLAND

OUT & ABOUT IN SUNNY CROMWELL

EXCITEMENT & EXPECTATIONS

Central Otago Dressage...

of Equidays...

18

22

24

44

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF DRESSAGE

MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH

SETTING THE STANDARD

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

With Pryde's Easifeed...

Growing the ultimate young dressage horse...

of Willinga Park (AUS) with Sue Hobson...

with Clevedon rider Elaine van den Berg...

For Dressage Waitemata with sponsor Allinflex...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

THE WOW FACTOR OF WILLINGA PARK Photos by Stephen Mowbray Photography

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS From Left to Right: Jane Ventura, Mary Seefried (AUS), Terry Snow, Charlotte Bredahl (USA), Connie Bookless, Sue Cunningham (AUS), Sue Hobson & Jacqui Winspear (NZL) Photo: provided by Sue Hobson

Sue Hobson and Jacqui Winspear recently judged at the outstanding new Willinga Park venue which hosted its first CDI 2* Set on 41ha on the South Coast of New South Wales, the world class facility was developed by and is privately owned by Australian billionaire and philanthropist, Terry Snow. The main focus of Willinga Park is as a stock and performance horse stud and the equestrian centre which has more recently branched out into hosting wider range of equestrian events The park has extensive facilities for the agistment and training of their own horses including a 100m campdrafting arena and judges box; 2 round yards; 2 open dressage arenas; 1 covered arena; Polocrosse field; 29 stables and a vet room.

Snow’s contribution to the sport in Australia does not end with the provision of the facility however. In late 2016, following the deaths of two young Australian equestrians in competition, Snow donated $250,00 to Equestrian Australia to help fund a national safety officer who will examine safety equipment, events and other relevant aspects of the sport.

SUE HOBSON REPORTS: What a fantastic experience it was being on the Ground Jury for the inaugural event at Willinga Park. I did not meet anyone including riders, officials or judges who had anything but positive comments about this superb world-class facility.

Jessica Robinson and Remi Beelzebub at the spectacular Willinga Park

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 5

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Terry Snow was a pleasure to meet. He was enthusiastic about receiving suggestions of any improvements that could be made, but to be honest it was hard to think of a single thing.

The surfaces were world-class in both indoors and outdoors. The surface rode very well being watered from underneath when very dry, but can be easily drained in the winter. The sound system was top quality; the scoring very efficient. There were pathways to and from stables and arenas which were rubber based over gravel, and on top was a very fine layer of fine gravel. They have stable blocks, one block adjacent to the main outdoor arena called “luxury” stables and boy were they ever!!!! Huge boxes, all fully rubber lined with plenty of ventilation, floor cushioned with special rubber, automatic mist fans installed in the roof for when it gets very hot, The second block of stables behind the indoor arena were also of very high quality but without some of the luxury features. The indoor arena has a specially designed roof so that there is never a shadow on the footing of the arena, all angled so that sunlight gets reflected off. There are excellent bridleways around the property for hacking and four circular lunging arenas. The café on grounds caters for riders, officials and spectators, complemented by ample room for a trade village and truck parking.

Judges were accommodated in secluded bush cottages, a two minute drive from venue.This whole property is simply amazing and so it was a special occasion to have been part of its first dressage event.

The CDI 2* boasted 15 starters. The experienced pair of Sue Hearn and Remington was the only combination to break 70% barrier, but six more scored over 68%.

GRAND PRIX RESULTS: 1: Suzanne Hearn (REMINGTON) 70.82% 2: Shannan Goodwin (ARISTEDE) 69.12% 3: Brett Parbery (DP WELTMIESER) 68.92%

6.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS PHOTOS: STEPHEN MOWBRAY PHOTOGRAPHY 1. Spectacular architecture and attention to detail at WP 2. Gordon Pratt and Bloomers Simply The Best 3. Sue Hearn and Remmington 4. Robbie McKinnon and Robali Razzamatazz 5. The Novice Championship placegetters led by David McKinnon and Bradgate Park Donovan 6. Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser in front of the crowd 7. Charlotte Waterman and Northern Xanthus III won the U25 Grand Prix, pictured with Sue Hobson (NZL) as Chief Judge and the class sponsor Geo Babington Engineering

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OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 7

EQUITANA AUCKLAND

DRESSAGE WORLD’S BEST AT EQUITANA AUCKLAND EQUITANA Auckland is stacking up to be a dressage aficionado’s paradise.

There’s a real buzz in the air around the news Germany’s celebrated coach Jonny Hilberath – the man behind the gold medal-winning team at the Rio Olympic Games – is heading to New Zealand as a star presenter at the inaugural EQUITANA Auckland.

Riders across the grades are excited at the chance to watch, learn and even be part of sessions with this great man.

EQUITANA Auckland event director Kevin Hansen says the new event has always been about quality – top quality.

“Jonny is obviously the world’s best coach – it is just like the All Black coach who coaches the world’s best rugby team . . . so it is too with Jonny,” says Hansen.

“It is really going to be something quite special to have him at EQUITANA Auckland. We want to bring the very best in the world to New Zealand.”

Hilberath will conduct a two-hour dressage masterclass on Sunday afternoon as part of the Super Sunday of Dressage, which will also feature the EQUITANA New Zealand Open Grand Prix competition. He is also scheduled to run two education sessions over the rest of the event.

The Grand Prix title is one of two EQUITANA New Zealand Open Dressage titles up for grabs. The EQUITANA New Zealand Open Freestyle crown will be decided as part of Friday night’s show.

“The Open titles will be one of Australia’s highest profile events this year,” says Hansen.

The line-up for the class is impressive, and includes Australians Brett Parbery and Rozzie Ryan. Both have competed in New Zealand before and relish the chance to take on their trans Tasman mates in the top-flight competition.

Also on the card are Kiwi internationals Julie Brougham (Palmerston North), who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and Wendi Williamson (Kumeu), New Zealand’s first-ever competitor at an FEI World Cup Dressage Final.

They’ll be challenged by John Thompson (Hamilton), Jody Hartstone (Raglan), Vanessa Way (Taranaki) and Abbie Deken (Taranaki).

8 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

“That is a field I can’t wait to see in action,” says Hansen.

“These are the very best in New Zealand and it is as much a chance for them to compete against each other as it is for us to showcase the beauty of this sport to a far wider audience.”

The riders themselves are very excited to have EQUITANA Auckland right on their doorsteps.

Brougham says it is the “real future” of dressage to have an event like EQUITANA in New Zealand.

“I am very excited for the exposure EQUITANA will bring our sport,” she says. “It is another big event on the dressage calendar and at a very good time of year for us.”

Williamson agrees.

“Having seen what I have overseas, there are not many opportunities in New Zealand to get an atmosphere like that and showcase our sport,” she said. “I hope we get a whole lot of people who don’t normally see our sport.”

Way has also competed extensively offshore and visited EQUITANA Melbourne numerous times.

“It is an amazing opportunity for New Zealand to host this and to have Jonny (Hilberath) here is incredible. He is so highly regarded overseas.”

Applications are now open for riders keen to be part of Hilberath’s masterclass and must be in by October 16. https://www.equitanaakl.co.nz/event-information/ news/111-masterclass-applications-now-open Tickets for EQUITANA Auckland start at just $35, with the Jonny Hilberath Dressage Masterclass ticketed separately at $125 for the full day. Limited corporate tickets are also still available through https://www.equitanaakl.co.nz/ticketing/ corporate-packages

WHAT: EQUITANA Auckland WHEN: November 23-26, 2017 WHERE: ASB Showgrounds, Auckland MORE INFO: www.equitanaakl.co.nz

DON'T MISS

SUPER SUNDAY

FEATURING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DRESSAGE MASTERCLASS & EQUITANA NZ OPEN GRAND PRIX DRESSAGE

23-26 NOV 2017, ASB SHOWGROUNDS.

DRESSAGE MASTERCLASS APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

THE BEST COMBINATIONS FROM NZ AND AUSTRALIA COMPETING FOR THE EQUITANA NZ OPEN. WWW.EQUITANAAKL.CO.NZ TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 9

OUT AND ABOUT

Kristen Anderson Strang and Florin contested the Level 6 Photo: Vanessa Adcock

10 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

OUT AND ABOUT

SMILES ALL ROUND IN SUNNY CROMWELL The new kids on the block, Dressage Central Otago (an official branch of Otago) are a real success story in the area, creating a welcoming culture of inclusiveness for all involved, lots of laughter and great sport.

It was smiles all round at the second graded Central Otago Dressage Tournament in Cromwell last weekend in September. Over 80 entries were received with some riders using it to gain scores for the Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge. It was a treat for many of the newcomers to see rides up to Intermediate I. President Suzanna Martin describes the two days as magical. “The weather couldn’t have been better, the back office ran like clockwork and competitors were happy and relaxed.

The overall vibe was wonderful – so many smiling faces and lovely interactions between riders, sponsors, judges and organisers. We can’t wait to do it all over again in April.”

WINNERS: Pony Hi-Point Shield and Central Otago PC Trophy: Melissa Brinsdon and Ticketyboo Horse Hi-Point Shield and the Linn Trophy: Ashley Marie Robb and Lexicon AM Spruce Grove Masters Trophy: Vicky Wood and Rosura Mac II Visit “Central Otago Dressage” on Facebook for loads of photos and details on the day.

Heidi Green & Jubilee True Colours Photo: Vanessa Adcock

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Visit us at EQUIDAYS 2017 - Site P 60 Website www.kiwiarenarake.com | Email: sales@kiwiarenarake.com | Phone 027 273 1760

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 11

NEWS

NZ

Featuring

Kyra Kyrklund Masterclasses

21-22 October 2017 Canterbury Agricultural Park

13-15 October 2017

21-22 October 2017

Mystery Creek Events Centre

Canterbury Agricultural Park

NZ

World class dressage trainer Kyra Kyrklund is to headline Equidays.

FO LLOW US

13-15 October 2017 O U D P A Centre RTNERS Mystery CreekP REvents

Educate | Equip | Empower | Entertain

w w w. e q u i d ay s . c o . n z

12 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

EQUIDAYS PREVIEW

THE EXCITEMENT AND EXPECTATION OF EQUIDAYS Dressage fans and riders will be on the road to Mystery Creek in less than a week from now to be indulged in the complete dressage package at Equidays.

The four day equestrian extravaganza gets underway at 12.30pm on Thursday with the Wade Equine Coaches Festival of Dressage which has attracted many of the country’s top combinations in the Prix St Georges, Intermediate A and Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is particularly strong with eleven combinations lining up to test themselves in front of international judges Isobel Wessels (5*GBR), Sue Hobson (4*NZL) and Betty Brown (3*NZL).

This is the first opportunity for the Grand Prix riders in the countdown to WEG 2018 to show their new season form. To be eligible for WEG selection, riders must have gained the FEI Minimum Eligibility score of 66% from 1 Jan 2017, and be in the ESNZ High Performance Squad. Equidays is a chance for riders not yet in that squad to chalk up one of the two 69% Grand Prix scores required. Scores must be gained at an ESNZ HP especially pre-approved national event, or CDI 3* and above.

Not since Horse of the Year Show 2016 have fans had the thrill of seeing

Julie Brougham, Wendi Williamson and John Thompson go head to head so this contest is to be eagerly awaited later on Thursday afternoon.

The Equidays event is also a valuable preparation for Abbie Deken and Julie Brougham who are packing up their chestnut turbos on Saturday afternoon and heading for Melbourne’s Boneo Park to compete in the CDIW at the Australian Nationals.

After the Grand Prix prizegiving at approximately 5pm on Thursday, there will be a short break before the Isobel Wessels clinic which will focus on the FEI levels from the judge’s perspective and then the master Kyra Kyrklund, will present a two hour, not to be missed, Master Class. All credit to Equidays for securing such well respected clinicians for us to view on our doorstep Friday sees the whole of Equidays open, including the shopping to live for! As part of the Friday night Grand Prix Spectacular, the Dressage Freestyle to Music at around 8pm will feature the top six placegetters from Thursday’s Grand Prix. Check out the Equidays

timetable for other dressage specific clinics from Friday through Sunday with Isobel Wessels, Kyra Kyrklund and Richard White. Get your tickets at www.equidays.co.nz Don’t miss this spectacular event.

Dressage NZ will be at Equidays.

Come along to indoor site P10 where you will be able to find Dressage, Para Equestrian and Endurance. Dressage will be featuring our new WEG fundraising range of casual wear, plus some other unique opportunities for you to be part of our WEG supporters group. If we don’t have exactly what you want, you can order right there and have your choice sent directly to you after Equidays. This range of apparel is brought to you in partnership with AllinFlex. All WEG Dressage supporters will have the chance to win a pair of fabulous Zoo Adventure Boots of their choice for Christmas thanks to support from Kiwi Arena Rake. Helmet tagging will be available for those fancy new helmets you have purchased.

presents We are exclusive stockists of Cavallo, quality German riding apparel.

For personalised, friendly service anywhere in NZ, please contact us today. www.classicequestrian.co.nz e: info@classicequestrian.co.nz | p: +64 21 627 082

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 13

EQUIDAYS PREVIEW Vanessa Way & NRM Andreas Photo: Libby Law

List of starters and reserves: The draw for all classes is to be confirmed.

WADE EQUINE COACHES FEI PRIX ST GEORGES:

THURSDAY, START TIME 12.30PM Robyn Coupe (Waikato) Julie Flintoff (Northland) Melissa Galloway (Marlborough) Tessa King (Waikato) Harriet Redmond (SCNO) Greg Smith (Auckland) Irina Smith (Waikato) Vanessa Way (Taranaki) Christine Weal (Waikato) Res 1: Liz Hutson (Wellington) Res 2: Catherine Tobin (Wellington) Res 3: Fiona Craig (Waitemata)

Besonders Belladonna MH Windermere JObèi W Campion KSNZ Teodoro Avante Garde Glamour Star NRM KH Arion FIS Lucifer Hapsburg PSH Bradgate Riot Act Aphrodite

Sheena Ross & Parkridge Disco SW Photo: Libby Law

WADE EQUINE COACHES FEI INTERMEDIATE A: THURSDAY APPROX 2PM Julie Brougham (Central Districts) Nikita Osborne(Northland) Nicky Pope (Waitemata) Sheena Ross (Auckland) Paula Stuart (Waikato) Victoria Wall (Waitemata) Vanessa Way (Taranaki)

John Thompson and JHT Antonello Photo: Libby Law

WADE EQUINE COACHES FEI GRAND PRIX: THURSDAY APPROX 3.30PM Julie Brougham (Central Districts) Abbie Deken (Taranaki) Melissa Galloway (Marlborough) Jody Hartstone (Waikato) Scott McKenna (Waikato) William Millar (Waikato) John Thompson (Waikato) Catherine Tobin (Wellington) Vanessa Way (Taranaki) Wendi Williamson (Waitemata)

Vom Feinsten K H Ambrose Windermere Johanson W Ali Baba Regent Diamond Raukura Satori MH JHT Antonello I Like It NRM Arawn Dejavu MH

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Furst Fellini Alacatraz Saskatoon Parkridge Disco SW Aztec Lad Letty Lei NRM Andreas

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 15

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Our group with the “Games Emblem” L-R Mariano Santos Redondo from Spain, Mariia Dzhumadzhuk from Ukraine, myself and David from the Chinese Equestrian Association

NEW ZEALAND JUDGES ABROAD The Chinese Experience with Helen Hughes-Keen at the 13th China National Games in Tianjin

Having never been to Mainland China I felt a little apprehensive setting off to negotiate the multiple flights to Tianjin and the 13th China National Games which are held every four years.

“Bigger than the Olympics” they told me, and oh how true. At Tianjin airport I was met by David, an official of the Chinese Equestrian Association who was to become our guardian, adviser,

16 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

translator and definitely our friend for the next week. Our home for the next 7 days was the “Official Games Village” and on arriving I realised the immense proportion and importance of the event. This complex, newly built for the Games, consisted of multistory apartment buildings, roads and gardens, and was divided in two sectors, one for Officials and one for

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Athletes. Each was complete with mini supermarket, health shops, hairdressers, tea houses and a large and very efficient dining hall ready to cater for hundreds of people three times a day.

All Equestrian officials were housed in one building, each floor having two 3 bedroom apartments. I met my judging colleagues here for the first time, Mariano Santos Redondo from Spain and Mariia Dzhumadzhuk from the Ukraine who was also to be my apartment buddy. English was the common language and as you can imagine translation from Spanish, Ukraine and Chinese into English caused some confusion over the coming days. Security was very strict, photo recognition and all gear x-rayed on every entry to the Village, which actually made you feel secure and of a definite belonging.

Equestrian events were held at the Metropolitan Polo Club a magnificent complex about 40 min drive from the Village. It comprised a large wellgroomed area with excellent footing and plenty of room for two warm up arenas plus a 10min arena.

Day One was the Horse Inspection, official briefing and draw. This was our first glimpse of the competitors.

There were some beautiful horses all in mint condition, mostly imported from Europe. With the draw complete I then discovered I had been positioned at C……..three people who had never met or judged together before with 28 horses we had never seen before and I’m in charge!!!!

Day Two: The first competition was the Prix St Georges for the Team Medals. With 6 teams vying for the podium, competition was very strong.

Marks ranged from 71% – 49%. All were very good quality horses; the biggest problem from the judge’s perspective was some were a little tight and deep with neck and head.

Day Three: The Intermediate 1 and the first competition for the Individual Medals. I could relax a little as my view was from the long side at B. With some withdrawals the class was reduced to 19 starters. Again we saw some good performances with a very strong group dominating the top six places.

Day Four: The Int 1 Kur with 12 horses qualified from the previous day.

Feeling quite relaxed by now, I take my place at H only to find I have now been promoted to C. PANIC…….a very stressful morning negotiating the problems that only musicals can throw at you. However there was a clear winner which saw a change in the medal positions from the previous day.

I would love to be able to relay all the results with riders and horses names and areas they were from, but everything was written in Chinese and only the occasional horse’s name in English.

Wu Ya of Jiangsu, the leader after the first round, was pushed into third by the only entry from Hong Kong in the dressage, Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying. Siu went into the final guaranteed a thirdplace finish after scoring 69.69% in the Int I on Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour, but were able to improve their freestyle score to win on 70.12%. However it was Huang Chaoqin of Guangdong who won the gold after two consistent second placed performances.

Day Five: 31 Eventing horses doing FEI 2* B, a mix ranging from 70% and high 60%’s to “I have to get through this to carry on’. Again security was very strict, even a visit to the toilet was accompanied by security guards.

China has some super quality horses and some very promising riders being guided by some good trainers mainly from Europe. Although it is a slow path to develop the sport I can see that China is taking some very positive steps. They belong to our FEI Group VIII and in the future will be a force to be reckoned with.

We were extremely well looked after throughout the event. The food was amazing although “let’s have Chinese” is something I don’t really want to hear for a long time.

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 17

NEWS

PRYDE’S EASIFEED SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF DRESSAGE Photos by Dannie Armstrong

Two Pryde’s Easifeed Talent ID Dressage camps and development clinics were a huge success in Christchurch and Taupo late September, fostering the future of our sport with both technical skills and athlete development sessions.

The South Island camp was up first at the very accommodating Selwyn Equestrian Centre.

Next month’s issue will feature the North Island camp.

Arena familiarisation was first up for the ten enthusiastic riders selected for this year’s camp, and then the learning began in earnest.

Sophie Hargreaves led a fantastic session, analysing rider’s positions and demonstrating how the rider position can affect both horse and rider performances. Each rider was given personalised on horse exercises to help them to improve. This was followed up with an unmounted session where riders were taught further exercises that could be used off their horse to further address position issues identified on the horse.

Lynda Clarke (Dressage NZ Chair) and Judy Alderdice (Dressage NZ

18 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

Training & Development) led a workshop to bring riders up to date with the different pathways that they could take within the sport and Dressage NZ to achieve their long-term goals, and what was required to earn a place in the different squads on the pathway.

Nicola Felton was there helping riders to set short term and longer term goals to assist achieving their future ambitions, plus the ever important “ins and outs” of sponsorship and what is expected of riders if they are fortunate enough to become a brand ambassador.

Nicolett Geldermann held a fascinating workshop on the anatomy of the horse showing how the equine

NEWS

Hannah Nicol, Judy Alderdice, Holly Leach and Julia Latham during a debrief of Hannah's test.

SOUTH ISLAND TALENT ID Grace Thomson Chocolat Moka CM Millie Thompson Rifesyde Prancer Hannah Nicol LJ Snowdance Charlotte Thomas Te Puke Emma Copplestone Dinky Di-Doff

SOUTH ISLAND DEVELOPMENT Kerry Goldthorpe Brooklyn Crow Georgia Allison Giselle Conway Abigail White

From L to R: Grace Thomson, Georgia Allison, Millie Thompson, Charlotte Thomas

skeletal structure is able to move at the different joints, and how these work through different movements.

Pryde’s EasiFeed, who generously sponsored the camp, engaged individually with riders and explained how different feeds can affect horse performance. Riders were guided on the development of individual feeding plans to help them achieve the conditioning and performance goals of each horse.

ESNZ coach Holly Leach was a real hit with the young riders and she thoroughly enjoyed her first involvement working with the Dressage NZ pathway for riders. Holly proved to be a highly motivating coach whose

Snapshot FE Rifesyde Firefly GE Prides Dreamcatcher Showtyme Firefly Caspers Wish

Time out between lectures and lessons

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 19

NEWS Hannah Nicol and Julia Latham

Holly Leach

Sophie Hargreaves during her biomechanics session assessing the riders posture.

teaching style saw all ten combinations making improvements.

Rider comments reflected the enthusiasm and motivation created at the camp: "We were incredibly lucky to have Holly Leach as our instructor for our individual lessons over the weekend."

"Holly’s style of coaching I could understand very easily and have taken on board a lot of little ideas to reuse in my own lessons."

"Everyone came away from their lessons super excited about the progress they had made and new skills they had developed that will be beneficial for the season ahead."

"Judy Alderdice was also a huge help as our judge for our test riding and she had some really good feedback and advice for us all."

"Riding our test at the beginning and end of the clinic was really encouraging with our judge Judy Alderdice and Holly Leach able to give relevant feedback and advice, with each rider seeing great

Millie Thompson during her test performance watched

by Kerry Goldthorpe

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DRESSAGE NZ PATHWAY GO TO:

http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage/recognition/dressage-squads/dressage-performance-pathway/ 20 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

NEWS improvements after two lessons with the incredible Holly Leach."

But it wasn’t all just about dressage.

The camp also provided several other very important aspects that are so important in sport.

“All in all it was fantastic to meet more like minded riders and build some new friendships among everyone that attended. Personally I had an amazing weekend filled with laughter and learning and I know that everyone else did as well”.

And of course last but not least: “A huge thanks to Prydes Easifeed, Dressage NZ and Flying Horse NZ for sponsoring and looking after this group of young riders; I hope one day we will all do you proud.”

And another huge thanks to Julia Thomson, Dressage SI Young Rider Convenor who facilitated the opportunity.

Millie Thompson, Holly Leach and Judy Alderdice during a debrief of Millie's test.

Brooklyn Crowe and Rifesyde Firefly

PRYDE’S EASIFEED INCENTIVE PRIZE AWARDED TO BROOKLYN Twelve year old Brooklyn Crow and Rifesyde Firefly from Queenstown have been awarded the Pryde’s Easifeed Incentive Prize for 2017. Brooklyn is a first year competitor and impressed at camp with her ability to make a plan and self analyse tasks and her achievements. Brooklyn wins Pryde’s Easifeed product plus a follow up lesson Equine Physiotherapy/Chiropractic Care Dry Needling Kinesiotape available South Island wide

Nicolett Geldermann

LIVING ANATOMY OF THE HORSE

MEd, Equine Physiotherapist DIPO

027 923 5440 www.livinganatomy.co.nz

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 21

MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH

YOUR MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH GROWING THE

ultimate

DRESSAGE HORSE

QUESTION FROM FELICITY CHAPMAN: I have a mare who is due to foal shortly, as well as young horses I am bringing on. How do I know what the foal and young horses need to ensure that nutritionally they have a balanced diet to support their growing needs?

22 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

MITAVITE QUESTION OF THE MONTH MAJOR GROWTH PERIODS FOR BONE AND MUSCLE

100 80 60 40

PERCENT OF MAXIMUM GROWTH RATE

20

-5 AGE (MONTHS)

-2

B IR T H

4

10 :

0

16

22

28

BONE: 3 months before until 9 months fater birth

ANSWER FROM GAIL SRAMEK MITAVITE NUTRITIONIST: The key to the training and development of the dressage horse from novice through to International Grand Prix is gymnastic exercises that aim to strengthen the muscles and nutrition management must support this, from before birth onwards. Horses do not grow only in weight and height – specific tissues have specific periods of maximum development too.

These growth periods provide the opportunity for determining body composition. Correctly fed yearlings achieve greater gains in wither height, reach mature height earlier and deposit less fat because their essential amino acid requirements are met.

Maximum bone growth occurs from 3 months before birth until around 9 months after birth; maximum muscle development is from 2 months until 22 months of age. Steam-extruded Mitavite® Breeda® is a complete feed for breeding and can be fed with a variety of pasture types, fed to the mare prior to birth and then the foal. As proteins are provided in a complete form within Breeda® muscle development is favoured.

Research shows that steam-extruded feeds are well utilized by young horses as they are primarily digested in the small intestine. Steam-extrusion increases feed conversion efficiency, so less feed is required compared to pellets or unprocessed feeds. Mitavite® Promita®, also a steam-extruded feed, acts as a ‘nutrient balancer’ and is usually fed where improved pasture is available.

The major periods for development of hock and stifle OCD are from 2 months before birth until 3 months

MUSCLE: 2 TO 22 months of age

after birth and from 5 to 8 months of age, respectively. A lighter condition for the foal is preferable at this age. Muscle growth in terms of size and number of fibres continues until 2 years of age.

It is wise to protect bone and joint development during the first 12 months by controlling body condition, but muscle development will not be affected as it continues well beyond the yearling stage. Both Breeda® and .Promita® also contain Mitavite’s® unique Bonafide® a stable, water soluble form of Vitamin K1 and K2 which supports increased bone density meaning more durability and a reduced likelihood of bone related lameness.

Growth in terms of achieving genetic potential in terms of muscle fibre size and number, continues as the young horse enters work, so the diet must support growth and work. The regular acceleration pattern at the walk requires a high level of co-ordination and stability in the rhythm of the footfall sequence. The main qualities of the trot are regularity and elasticity of the steps, hind-quarter engagement and good propulsion. The vertical displacement of the trot is achieved through the storage of elastic strain energy in the fetlock, hock, stifle and hip joints and increases after the first year of training.

Gait transitions are some of the most difficult basic exercises in dressage. The energetic mechanism is triggered when musculo-skeletal forces reach a critical level with abrupt changes in stride frequency, braking and a large change in vertical activity. The transition duration increases with training for the walk-trot, canter-halt and canter-trot transitions.

This allows a slower decrease in stride frequency and a smoother decrease in vertical activity, enabling a smoother

deceleration. In contrast, younger horses are not skilled at preparing their gait transition (slow decrease in stride frequency) and brake suddenly, producing high peak deceleration. To execute the technical requirements for good performance requires a finelytuned, well-prepared and well-fuelled muscle mass.

Throughout the years of training, the diet must continually support the development of muscle mass to avoid injury to joints and tendons as workload increases. As horses tire and muscles fatigue, weight is shifted onto other musculo-skeletal structures, risking tendon strain and abnormal joint loading. Back problems and repetitive loading of joints increases the risk of injuries and consequently, soundness can place a limit on performance at any level or stage or age. Low endurance predisposes to fatigue and increases the risk of injury. However, a few days of entirely different work can help prevent problems.

The main energy pathways utilised in dressage are aerobic and increasing endurance conditioning means horses can work more intensively and longer during dressage exercises. Two to three 90 minute (which includes 30 minutes warm-up and 15 minutes cool-down) sessions per week are likely to better develop and maintain specific dressage skills than 5 to 6 dressage-specific sessions. Correct feeding can help support your horse throughout their performance life and with sporthorse specific formulations such as Mitavite’s® Cool Crusada™ and Munga® - you can ensure that your horse is receiving adequate amounts of energy, amino acids and supportive nutrients.

For more information visit www.mitavite.com.

Go to the DressageNZ Bulletin Facebook page and submit your training or maintenance questions.

Each month one question will be selected and sent to one of our participating coaches/experts to answer for you! The winning question will receive a bag of Mitavite feed.

Thank you Mitavite for supporting Dressage NZ Congratulations Felicity, we hope you enjoy your Mitavite products!

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 23

PROFILE

SETTING THE STANDARD Story by Jess Roberts

“All my horses have been off-the-track racehorses. I’ve done bits and pieces – I like to find out what the horse likes to do, what they enjoy, and do that,” says Clevedon rider Elaine van den Berg, and what her standardbred and ex-pacer Regal Cullen enjoys most is… dressage!

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PROFILE Van den Berg (36) and ‘Boo’ – as he is affectionately known as at home were selected to take part in Bill Noble’s August Equitak Excel Masterclass, an initiative organised by Dressage Waikato. Each of the five Masterclasses was centred around a theme, the August one around ‘Developing Cadence’.

The Airthrey Lodge indoor arena fended off some wild Waikato weather thanks to the generous support of Linda Moughan.

Bill knows Elaine and Boo well; they have trained with him regularly over the last 18 months. Being a standarbred, Boo is not your typical or fashionable dressage horse, but Bill treats him no differently to any other horse. “A horse is a horse. We have the same aim with all of them, which is to turn them into willing athletes,” he says. “He’s a lovely horse to work with, charming in his attitude to the work and so far, everything he’s been asked to do, he tries. He doesn’t always get it right but he tries, and I think you can’t ask for any more than that.”

The improvement the pair have made has piqued Bill’s interest: “I’m just as interested as Elaine is in seeing how far he will go. The first time I saw him, the trot was fairly average and he had no canter. Over the last six months they’ve produced some good trot work and a canter that is developing, it’s looking more and more like the canter of a

‘normal’ horse. Of course there’s a long way to go, but all the things he’s being asked to do, for example come into more and more balance, he is starting to achieve. So it just shows what a really empathetic rider who is passionate about the horse, and dedicated to the work, can achieve.”

It’s also encouraging for dressage in general, Bill believes. “It’s quite exciting and actually, it’s been quite revealing, showing what somebody can achieve when they’re starting from scratch like that. I think it’s brilliant. Really, that’s what it’s all about: we start with a horse, any kind of horse, that you like and want to be with, and you train it to become a willing and co-operative athlete,” he says. “If dressage is about anything, it’s about the development of any and every horse’s potential. I think that is what Elaine is doing, and I’m enormously impressed by her, to be honest.”

Originally from the States, Elaine moved to New Zealand with her family as a teenager, initially having lessons on riding school horses before getting one of her own when she was sixteen. Her first job on finishing high school was in a harness racing stable where she was able to start some of the not-so-speedy ones under saddle and find new careers for them. “I had a few; there are the ones that you get to be friends with that once they’ve finished racing, won’t go on to be bred from [the geldings] so I

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 25

FEATURE PROFILE

"...it just shows what a really empathetic rider who is passionate about the horse, and dedicated to the work, can achieve.” – Bill Noble

did a bit of rehoming,” she says.

There’s laughter when I ask about breaking them in to carrying a saddle and rider. “To be fair you literally just get on them! I’ve never had one do anything, never buck or spook or anything. They might jump a little the first time you throw a leg over them but you literally just get on and go,” she explains. “They’re already broken in to a cart so they are quite docile.”

Boo came to Elaine eight years ago as a four-year-old. He was a firm favourite in the racing barn where her partner Leon worked, arriving as a yearling, so they were able to watch his progress from being broken to harness to becoming an extremely slow racing prospect. “He was a terrible, terrible racehorse!” she remembers, despite the fact that his sire is Christian Cullen, racing sensation and poster boy for NZ harness racing in the late 90s.

Boo was duly relieved of racing duties and sent off to be rehomed. Leon and Elaine were at HOY at the time and on returning home they tracked Boo down was and bought him back to be a hack for Leon.

“I got him going, walk trot and canter, turned him out for six months and then bought him back in so that Leon could start riding him,” says Elaine.

“Then I took him to a show for fun, we went down to Waikato A&P. He brought home Champion Inhand and Champion Ridden in the standardbred classes and I think that was the last time that Leon got to ride his horse!”

She says Boo really seems to enjoy his training. “He’s so willing to do it.

The more you push him, the better his gaits get. We tried jumping him but he doesn’t like it – he’s terrified of poles and cross country jumps!” she laughs.

“Bill has been a huge help. I didn’t know

anything about dressage and training and flatwork, so he’s put up with all my questions and silliness and… he’s just been amazing. I love his training style and how soft it is, and the horses like it.”

Does Boo get any differential treatment at shows, being a notso-traditional choice for a dressage mount? “Well, it’s taken a lot to get his canter there, and he is always probably going to canter a bit funny,” Elaine acknowledges. “But mostly I think, if you’re going to do this, people are just going to have to get used to seeing him.

The more I get him out there, the more they’re actually judging him, rather than criticising him.” She has had some interesting test sheets: “I did get one test sheet back where at the bottom where you have scores for suppleness, rider and all that, there was just a sad face drawn in it!” She cracks up laughing.

“That was pretty funny! But you know, I also had a judge at Woodhill Sands who used to breed standardbreds, and I got the comment from her that it was really cool to see him in the ring, and that he looked just like his dad.”

There are, of course, some challenges unique to training an OTT standardbred. “The hardest part of training Boo has actually been the contact,” explains Elaine. “Because when they race, they race in the overcheck bit which goes up [over the head] and connects to the harness saddle and it lifts their head up so they can stay balanced in their gait. But of course that means that from a very young age they’re taught that when there’s contact on the mouth, to lift their head.”

“So when you get on them and you start riding them and put contact on their mouth, they just lift their head in the air! So that’s actually one of the

26 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

hardest things to retrain – teaching them that when you put contact on their mouth, to soften. And it’s something that you don’t kind of think about with them, like everybody focuses on the funny canter, but there are other things that are a bit harder.”

Elaine has a refreshing philosophy toward her horses, preferring to let them find what they enjoy doing and then following that; she’s evented a standardbred and had a thoroughbred that excelled in the show ring. Her goal for Boo was to see if she could qualify him for HOY, which she did two years ago, taking him down to compete at Level 1. In that same year the pair also attended the National Championships, contesting the Amateur L1 classes. “So my goal was just to get him out there and see if he could do it, and we did.

Everything else now is like the icing on the top.”

The combination had their first L3 start last month at one of the AucklandManukau Dressage Group days. “We would have done better but I didn’t know L3 tests are supposed to be sitting trot! So we got a few penalty points for my rising!” So now Elaine is well on the way to achieving her next aim of taking Boo to compete in the main oval at HOY. Her genuine enjoyment of the journey they are on together is clear when she speaks about Boo, and the message they bring to dressage is important. “It’s the same with any horse really – there’s going to be people that like him and people that don’t. You can either focus on the negative comments or look at the positive stuff. His marks are getting better, and he is getting better. You take what you want from it.”

You can follow Elaine and Boo’s journey on FB: A horse called Boo, Standardbred in dressage

NEWS

MAGNUS SPERO RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA “It’s such a hard day when you see a favourite horse leave your stable for the last time …”

Penny Castle and Magnus Spero at the Bates National Dressage Championships in 2016 where they won the prestigious Burkner Medal Photo: Libby Law

Penny Castle has trained numerous horses to Grand Prix and each one has had its own special talents and personality.

After the partnership with Gymstar One (who was produced to Level 5 by Julie and owned by David & Julie Brougham), Penny was looking for another horse to have a go at qualifying for the Olympics 2016.

“So firstly - a big thanks to Ben Conn for finding “Karl” for me... He was a 6 year old and immediately I loved his work ethic and talent for piaffe passage…he went on to fulfill my expectations more than I imagined. We had an amazing journey and he was great to train. We progressed over 4 years to Grand Prix, winning many titles along the way-including the prestigious Burkner Medal at the NZ Championships.

The big highlight of our time together was being the first combination to break the 70% barrier in the Grand Prix at the Horse of the Year Show and be the first member of the Seventy Percent Club” Unfortunately, an injury soon after put us out of contention re chasing the Olympic spot and my Olympic dream, but what a journey we had.

The biggest thanks belong to the syndicate members that backed us and encouraged us all the way. We had some fun times, good learnings and great successes…

“Karl has been sold to a lovely Young Rider in Australia. I wish them all the best and will be keenly watching this new combination in the future” So what’s Penny got lined up?

“Well, Megan Hawkins BL About Time has big shoes to fill and he is stepping up! We are looking forward to an exciting competition season coming up with his Grand Prix work having become much more consolidated following winter training.

Bring on summer ......”

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NEWS

ONE YEAR COUNTDOWN UNTIL FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES™ Click here to watch the Destination Tryon video as part of the one year countdown to the FEI World Equestrian https://tryon2018.com/article/click-here-to-theGames™ Tryon 2018!

Ingmar De Vos, President of the Fédération Equestre International

FEI PRESIDENT ELECTED AS IOC MEMBER Ingmar De Vos, President of the Fédération Equestre International (FEI) has been elected as a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the IOC Session in Lima (PER).

“It is a really great honour for me personally, and for the FEI, to be elected as an IOC Member. I see this as clear recognition of the way the FEI has embraced and continues to embrace Olympic Agenda 2020, our clear focus on sport format changes for Tokyo 2020 and our good governance. I would like to thank the IOC Members for their belief in me and will be honoured to serve the Olympic Movement.”

IOC President Thomas Bach warmly welcomed Ingmar De Vos as an IOC Member: “Ingmar De Vos is a great driver of sport and a true supporter of the Olympic Movement. Under his Presidency the International Equestrian Federation has gone from strength to strength with a series of comprehensive governance and transparency reforms, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020.

He will be a valuable addition to the membership of the IOC.”

watch-destination-tryon-video

The 'one-year-to-go' countdown to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) was launched in mid September. With more than 500,000 people expected to attend the 2018 Games, the 12-day spectacle of equestrian champions is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar and will be the largest equestrian event in North Carolina’s history. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, October 16, 2017.

Competition action at WEG 2018 runs from September 12 through September 23, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for September 11.

A variety of ticketing types and prices will be offered such as an All Games Pass for each week of competition or both weeks, an All Session Day Pass, All Session Discipline Pass, as well as individual event tickets, and opening and closing ceremonies. A complete list of ticketing options will be available online at www.tryon2018.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

A “Destination Tryon” video has been released to showcase the region where the 2018 Games will be held. North Carolina is viewed as a hidden gem, tucked away in the bucolic Blue Ridge Foothills, bordering South Carolina.

Surrounded by bold mountains and scenic foothills, the area is conveniently

28 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

located within an hour of top cities including Asheville and Charlotte in North Carolina and Greenville in South Carolina. The rural community now joins the league of iconic destinations around the world - like Normandy, Stockholm, Rome and Aachen - to host equestrian sport’s most distinguished championships.

For WEG 2018, Bellissimo is focusing on the love of horses to bring added attention to equestrian sport and touch a broader audience of horse enthusiasts globally, highlighting the important role horses have played throughout history.

“All of our nations were discovered on the back of a horse and these amazing animals continue to provide livelihood, transportation, security, entertainment, friendship, therapy, and sport around the world. The love of the horse is universal and profound. The Games is an incredible stage to show the world how important and valuable this creature is and celebrate our relationship with them,” said Bellissimo.

Accommodation for the 2018 WEG are being managed by Connections Housing, a full-service sourcing, housing and event management company.

For more information about accommodations, please visit www.tryon2018.com

NEWS

NORTHLAND JUDGES & RIDERS GET IN SYNC WITH SUE HOBSON Story by Angela Hales

Dressage Northland hosted an open official judges seminar in September, welcoming the full spectrum of dressage enthusiasts fans, judges, riders, coaches and fans, to come along and update their all round knowledge, judging skills and test riding tips with from respected 4* International Dressage Judge and NZ Judges Officer, Sue Hobson. Over the years Sue has travelled extensively gaining experience judging at some of the major international dressage competitions so this was a valuable opportunity for Northland to have Sue in the area imparting her knowledge ready for the new season.

The weekend began with a “meet and greet” with the demonstration riders enabling the riders and Sue to get to know each other and help structure the seminar the following day.

The seminar started with Level 1 and 2 horses. The three 3 major components to be targeted at this level are bend, energy and balance. The trot and canter have to be “working” and the horse must be through the back. Sue advised judges to “mark from your gut feeling” and that judge’s comments at level 1 and 2 should always be encouraging. The really motivated horses will get the higher marks.

At levels 3 & 4 we were looking for the horses showing more engagement and strength and at level 5 upwards change of frame and well defined movements.

As our demo riders rode through a test, we were able to mark a movement each with a quick comment while Sue gave marks and comments as we went. We extend our thanks and appreciation to those riders who came to ride at the seminar, as being able to discuss movements as we see them is a valuable learning experience. The horses were beautifully turned out and performed well executed at all levels, also making up some impromptu movements for us to see what can happen when you least expect it.

Demo rider Casey Burton pictured with Sue Hobson

Twelve listed Judges travelled from Kaitaia, Bay of Islands, Whangarei and Waitemata area, all actively participating, with a further eighteen members taking advantage of the preseason seminar.

YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE HERE sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 29

INTERVIEW

MEMOIRS OF A EUROPEAN FAIRYTALE TOUR Story by Jess Roberts

Carl Hester, Vanessa Way, Jane de la Mar – owner of Nip Tuck at the European Championships in Gothenburg (SWE)

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INTERVIEW

The Dressage NZ Bulletin caught up with Vanessa Way following her latest European foray - her third trip to the European Dressage Championships with her mentor Carl Hester

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, HOW DID THESE EUROPEANS ONE COMPARE WITH PREVIOUS ONES YOU HAVE BEEN TO? I always enjoy the Europeans as you see some different combinations that you might not see at the Olympics or World Games. It was a really great event. The spectator numbers were maybe disappointing for the organisers compared with previous years but there were very good quality combinations on show.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL TRENDS DID YOU OBSERVE – DID YOU NOTE ANY OBVIOUS DIFFERENCES FROM TWO YEARS AGO? The trend is for more correct softness and more classical training. This was obvious with the top combinations. The fashion has changed away from the deeper riding techniques getting the top placings. It was far more obvious in the competition arena and was great to see.

WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE HORSE & WHY? It was Cosmo for sure. His natural gaits are totally amazing. The canter just jumps off the ground on springs. It was beautiful in every way and just so elastic.

WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE RIDER & WHY? My favourite rider is always Carl Hester. He always rides with total feeling for his horses and his arena craft is amazing.

He proves that if you train a horse of normal ability really well, you will still be competitive.

WHO IS THE SHOOTING STAR ON THE SCENE IN YOUR VIEW? Absolutely Cosmo - it is total goose bumps!

BASED ON WHAT YOU SAW AT THE EUROPEANS, WHO ARE YOU PICKING FOR TEAM GOLD AT THE WORLD CHAMPS IN 2018?

The Germans are very strong at the moment so my money is on them but I know the Brits have some exciting new combinations in the wings So you think the Brits have got some secret weapons – how do you think they will fare in Tryon WEG 2018?

Yes I think they have got some. Charlotte has Mt St John Freestyle which being aimed for WEG and Carl will have has Hawkins Delicato, which Charlotte has been competing.

He has already scored high percentages in the Int II classes and has his first Grand Prix start soon. The Hester stable also has two other horses that will also be doing Grand Prix which gives them great back up. These horses are both high quality big scoring horses. Spencer Wilton’s horse also has the potential to be an 80% Grand Prix horse so the British are only getting stronger again following their Olympic gold medal in London IF YOU HAD TO PICK THREE TRAINING ASPECTS THAT NZL RIDERS NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON TO GET CLOSER TO SOME OF THE BIG NATIONS WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND IN WHAT ORDER WOULD YOU RANK THESE FACTORS? Better quality basics (we do have quality horses here but our riding and training has to be better) Be honest with how we really compare our test riding compared to the winning combinations. Their movements flow better and have way more energy but true light self carriage. The spectator judging proved this also at the Europeans. It matched the judges to within a couple of percent. I don’t believe the judges don’t mark people unknown harder! I just think we need to be a lot better. Be honest and work hard to improve our test riding and identify where we are losing marks You need to get over to Europe and at the very least see in the flesh what they are doing and experience the atmosphere that you have to ride in. It is massive; there is lots of clapping, noise etc we have to learn to deal with it.

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INTERVIEW WHAT HORSES DID U RIDE (IF YOU’RE ALLOWED TO TELL) AND WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU TRAINING WISE THIS TIME? Ha ha - yes I can’t totally say, but I did get very spoilt. I got to ride several of the top horses and Carl made me ride through the Grand Prix test on Barolo and well, he judged me. The horses I rode are more reactive to the leg through training and really felt light in the bridle and in true self carriage. The power was exhausting in the fact that they really moved through the body. Charlotte nailed my shoulder-ins so I had very good angle, bend but also lots of expression.

Also they continued to practice perfect halts and centre lines.

I think I felt that I have to be more disciplined to getting a clear answer every time to my aids. The passage felt way shorter which, because it was in better balance, could be made quicker but always light in hand. I got nailed on perfect position and being disciplined in every moment (especially corners). I’ve literally written a book as I took notes every day after my lessons.

YOU HAVE FOUR SUPER HORSES IN YOUR TEAM AT THE MOMENT – DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC GOALS FOR ANY ONE OF THEM FOR THE COMING YEAR? I’m very excited about my team of horses. In fact I think they all have the potential to be internationally competitive but it’s all up to my riding. I just keep training them the Grand Prix movements and look forward to the upcoming season in their respective grades.

Friends in high places!

Vanessa Way and Sonke Rothenberger

CAN YOU DEFINE YOUR OWN PERSONAL GOALS FOR THE SEASON AHEAD? To improve my percentages on them all, aiming to be in the 70’s.

ARE YOU THINKING OF COMPETING ANY OF THEM OFF SHORE IN THE AUTUMN? I want to consolidate my performances and if I can get scores that I’m happy with yes I will take them abroad. Carl is back here next year, and I will have two more up doing the Grand Prix work so I will make a plan with him then regarding other overseas opportunities.

SO DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO TAKE HORSES BACK TO THE UK? Absolutely, but to me I will always go back to Carl’s as it’s always about the training and support at that top level. I am just so lucky to have someone like him that really believes in me as a rider.

ARE TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES 2020 ON YOUR RADAR? Absolutely!

YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE HERE sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz

32 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

Carl Hester & Nip Tuck

NEWS

SOUTH ISLAND DRESSAGE POINTS PRIZE BOASTS FORTY ONE YEAR HISTORY Photo by NZEQUINE Story by Cate Edgeler

Back in 1976, the South Island Dressage Points Prize was a fledgling inspiration born from a desire to encourage the promotion and activity of dressage in the South Island following the demise of the Equizole Dressage Points Prize. It was the initiative of the Otago Dressage and Junior Group’s Clare Banks and Wendy Hamerton (who lived in Otago back then). Of course both these dressage devotees are still seen to be very involved in dressage today.

During the forty-one years since its inception there have been four sponsors of this series. Glendermid was the original sponsor for a fabulous twenty years (1976-1996) followed by Clutha Mesh (1996-1997), the Sutton Group (1997-2001) and now for the fifteen years since 2002 TL MacLean have generously sponsored the prize to ensure its continuation In the 41 years of the competition, the rules have not changed which is a great testament to the group that established this prize. Simply, a competitor’s two best places (first to fourth and over 55%) from each nominated event count toward this prize. Competitors do not have to enter to be eligible; a convenor

from Dressage Otago collates the results from the nominated events. Each ESNZ Area Dressage Group nominates four days of competition, with the final is always held at a Dressage Otago event in the early autumn.

The sponsor’s contribution covers first prize and additional contributions from all seven area dressage groups cover second to fourth prizes plus winners ribbons.

The TL MacLean has become a very sought after prize with competitors travelling around the South Island to gain points. It has been won by many people from all regions in the south including the indomitable combination of Soo Wells and Aztec who were seven time winners. Only three winner’s names are missing from the trophy, so it provides a wonderful southern dressage history.

QUALIFYING DATES FOR 2017/18 ARE: Nelson – 29/30 October, 28/29 January Marlborough – 23/24 September, 21/22 October Canterbury – 2/3 December, 27/28 January (SI Champs) Ashburton – 17 September, 18/19 November SCNO – 14/15 October, 17/18 February Otago – 11/12 November, 10/11 March (Final) Southland – 9/10 December, 13/14 January

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 33

NEWS

34 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

NEWS

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION FOR YOUTH DRESSAGE ACHIEVEMENTS Photo by Libby Law Story by Kyrie Gausden

South Auckland rider Caitlin Benzie is no stranger to success, first in eventing, competing to Pre-Novice and representing Franklin area at Timberlands including winning a special award for completing on the lowest score in the history of Timberlands.

With a knee that dislocates regularly, and no desire to ride 3* eventing, Caitlin decided to focus on dressage. This turned out to be a great choice, as she went on to represent FranklinThames Valley in NZ Pony Club dressage championships, being the only rider to win the Senior Championship on two different horses. Successful participation in Dressage NZ competitions include winning the FEI World Dressage Children’s Elementary Challenge on Greendowns Laredo in 2011, various regional and national championships at Levels 2-4 and winning the Dressage NZ Young Rider National Performance Award in 2014 on Le Connoisseur (‘Odie’). This combination was also named on the Dressage NZ Young Rider Squad. With her current mount, the elegant dapple grey Rosari Royal Gem (‘Jason’) produced by Bill Noble, Caitlin has developed her advanced skills taking out the 2107 HOY Young Rider of the Year, and the National U25 Grand Prix title.

Most recently, Caitlin’s achievements have received community recognition being named Clarks Beach Kiwanis Sports Person of the Year for her dedication to her sport.

That dedication was underscored by competing last season at Grand Prix whilst recovering from two broken vertebrae after falling off a young horse over winter. As equestrian does not often feature in sports awards, Caitlin is particularly grateful for the award as it is also recognition for dressage.

Since graduating from AUT University with a Bachelor of Communications, Caitlin is now working as a PA in real estate and appreciates not spending four hours each day travelling to and from University. Having Caitlin has now handed Odie’s reins to her mum Jeanette, so she has more time to concentrate on consolidating and improving her scores with Jason at Grand Prix.

Caitlin trains with her mother, Bill Noble and Andrea Raves and is grateful for continuing sponsorship from HorseSports, Mainstream, LG Forge and Courage My Love.

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 35

"GOOD SORTS" REPORT

DRESSAGE NZ SADLY RECOGNISES THE RECENT PASSING OF TWO EQUESTRIAN PIONEERS Margaret Dickie - Southland

Southland’s Margaret Dickie loved horses from an early age, always having a pony to ride. Her family tells us she loved playing in the harness room at the Glenaray farm which was often left in a muddle but this was obviously a learning experience as an early childhood memory recalled by sister Lyn (Fox) was of Margaret harnessing her pony up to the sledge and she and Margaret sitting on it for ages. It was lucky for the pair that the pony was very tolerant and was happy just to stand there because the sledge was too heavy for it to pull.

Brydone Pony Club was the first arena entry point, and a string of

successful competition mounts followed over the years. With the great all round pony Jack Frost, Margaret was in the first Otago/Southland Pony Club Champs team that travelled to Blenheim. Her first hack was Tom Dooley, and then came Harris Tweed, Earmark, Oliver, Sanoussie, Windsong, Auspicious, Glenroy and Graycing. She made a number of trips to the North Island to HOY, Dressage Champs and the FEI World Challenge.

Margaret was one of the five founding members of Dressage Southland when everyone rode and judged, scoring was manual and no calculators were in sight. Over the years she held many offices in Dressage Southland including president,

secretary, treasurer and judge’s officer.

She was a high listed dressage and judged throughout NZ. Margaret was generous with her knowledge, very encouraging and would stand out in any weather to help. She got a lot of enjoyment out of teaching riders and seeing their progress and success. As a list 2A judge, her assessments were respected by riders and writers alike.

Margaret was an international eventing judge and a life member of Eventing Southland in recognition of her wide ranging commitment to the group.

Her other many related interests included the Gore A&P Society of which she was president and a life member, judging and showing horses and cattle at A & P shows , hunting with the Eastern Southland hunt, pre training racehorses and an involvement in the fundraising for and conversion of a disused dairy factory into an indoor area at Wyndham.

Horses were a lifelong passion for Margaret and she made a huge contribution to Equestrian Sport in Southland.

Joy McEwen -Taranaki Joy McEwen (née Love ridge) was born in 1925, into a non horsey family.

Times were hard and with no parental encouragement, it took passion and determination until she finally achieved her dream of having a pony. She was educated at New Plymouth Girls High School and went on to complete her nursing training in the late 1940s.

Her involvement in equestrian 36 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

OBITUARIES

"She once admitted in the earlier years that trying to master dressage movements with book in one hand and horse in the other was very frustrating. " sport was wide reaching. She was an active member of the Taranaki Hunt Club during the 1950s, and competed and judged at shows and gymkhanas as well as being a key figure in New Plymouth Pony Club, course building and instructing. Joy also had an interest in driving. She was the proud owner of a vintage gig and competed in harness competitions during the 1980’s and 90’s.

When the NZHS (NZ Horse Society) was formed, Joy encouraged many riders to join, albeit mainly jump riders at that time. She organised courses with jumping coach Colman de Bolger. She spent many hours helping, paint brush and hammer in hand, developing the new Equestrian Centre at Taupo and organised courses with Lockie Richards

on his return to NZ. But it was dressage that became her true passion. Joan Matheson recalls 1964, and hacking out to the McEwen Carrington Rd property where everyone helped one another with the basics and admired Joy’s daughter Judith who Joan says “was far better than any us. Indeed Joy knew to take Judith to more informed instructors and they produced Taranaki’s first Grand Prix horse” In 1973 Joy was instrumental in introducing Dressage competition to Taranaki. With Joy in charge, an early gathering was held at near Inglewood, attracting four riders, two supporters and a rope 40x20 arena.

In 1982 she introduced German Dressage trainer Christian Thiess to Taranaki riders and under his training dressage flourished in Taranaki.

Joy was an avid reader, always striving to learn more. She once admitted in the earlier years that trying to master dressage movements with book in one hand and horse in the other was very frustrating. But she was generous with her knowledge. Many local riders will recall being told they had “spaghetti legs”.......or referring to arena craft, her advice was, “a circle is a round thing - it doesn’t have straight lines or corners”.

Joy McEwen touched the lives of many people in the equestrian world – a true pioneer of our sport.

NORTH LOBURN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

@NLECDressage

SPRING DRESSAGE SERIES ENTER OUR TWO DAY CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW! Entries close Sat 7th Oct

Sept 17th, Oct 15th, Nov 19th // Rangiora Showgrounds download the schedule at WWW.NLEC.CO.NZ | email: info@nlec.co.nz | phone 03 313 1247 A relaxed and friendly atmosphere with classes for everyone.

We welcome junior riders and encourage riders to “give it a go” offering Training Classes for new combinations, Ungraded Classes up to Level 3 or Graded Classes up to Level 4/5.

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 37

RIDER HEALTH AND FITNESS

FOUR EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR RIDING POSTURE Article by Ricki Jacobs

Being strong and mobile as a dressage athlete doesnt mean you have to be able to move like a gymnast or be as strong as a competitive weightlifter, though certain attributes from each discipline will aid you in finding your balance and perfecting your posture on the horse.

Alot of mobility restrictions inhibit the use of certain muscles which equals a decrease in strength (in particular postural strength) which will affect the way you ride and therefore your performance will suffer. If you

understand what good posture looks like and why it is essential for your well-being but can't maintain this while riding, the effects can be detrimental to both your own body and your horse's body. Good posture starts with a good core which is essential, especially in these spring months when the horses are somewhat fresh!! Do you have the tools 'in your belt' for when a hairy situation arises and your postural strength and core is what keeps you in the saddle?

Below are four mobility drills I use with athletes that I train on a regular basis to help combat mobility issues formed through everyday activites (cough* desk jobs) that hinder the

human body's natural movement and performance.

Most of these focus on common restricted areas, e.g; Thoracic spine, hips, glutes and hamstrings which all affect your riding ability, these simple stretches can be performed before or even during exercise to increase range of motion through certain joints or muscles used when riding.

All of the following exercises can be done daily my recommendation would be to take 5 minutes before you ride and use the drills you find helpful as part of your warm up routine before riding

1. ACTIVE HIP MOBILIZATION

This one is great for improving hip external (outward) rotation through an active range of motion which helps keep your hips and pelvis stable and also assists in glute activation whilst riding.

• Sit on the ground with one leg bent at 90 degress the other leg laying flat out on the floor • Using your hands behind you on the floor you are going to push yourself up into a tall neutral spine position • While holding this postion, take your bent leg and bring that knee as close to your chest as you can, over your flat leg and place your foot flat on the ground. you may feel a cramping like sensation if your quite tight through this area • Return to the starting position and repeat 5 times off each side.

38 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

RIDER HEALTH AND FITNESS

2. THORACIC EXTENSION

This is great for anyone who has postural issues, if you feel as if you are too “hunched over” whilst riding this is also a good exercise to perform even in the saddle if you can!

• Cross your hands on your shoulders and roll your body forward as if trying to curl into a ball • Extend your spine as high as you can go, think about pointing your chest to the sky just be careful not to arch through the lower back • Repeat this process 5-10 times and you will find your body will naturally relax in a neutral position which will feel alot better and a more efficient riding posture

3. THORACIC ROTATION

This is working on the same area except through rotation not extension, our bodies adapt to habitual movement patterns so if we dont utilise our body through all planes of movement we find it very difficult to execute when we actually need to move through these ranges.

• Sit on the floor with your legs folded and your hands behind your head • Take a deep breath in and rotate to one side keeping a tall neutral spine • When you reach your end range, exhale and perform a side bend, make sure to keep your head and torso facing the same way • Return to the starting position and see how much further range of motion you have gained, repeat 3 -5 times each side • This is working on active end range strength, which basically means you are teaching your body to move through ranges in which you could usually only go through with external help e.g. stretching 4. SUNRISES

Very good for mobilising multiple areas in one easy motion.

• Lie on your side with your top leg bent over at 90 degrees and both arms on top of each other in line with your shoulders • Keeping your top knee and thumb on the ground, exhale whilst arcing round your head like a sunrise • Inhale at the end of each arc and exhale whilst moving, repeat 10 times on each side OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 39

OUT AND ABOUT

A STERLING START TO THE SEASON AT NLEC Photos by Dannie Armstrong Story by Elaine Rutherford

https://www.facebook.com/danniearmstrongphotography/

The first day of the North Loburn Equestrian Centre Spring Dressage Series was held at the Rangiora Showgrounds on September the 17th.

NLEC run monthly competitions at the showgrounds and welcome riders of all ages and abilities. This time the event included additional classes to the schedule at the last minute to give riders the opportunity to qualify for the Livermol World Dressage Challenge.

There was representation in all four senior classes with the winners being Nikki Ford (Senior I), Grace Thomson (Senior II), Nicola Maley (PSG) and Joy White (Inter I), with Sarah Gray stepping up a grade for her first start at PSG. Having FEI 3* judge Linda WarrenDavey present also meant that NLEC were able to offer judge training/ upgrading at their event which was well attended.

There were large entries in the Richard Woerlee Harcourts sponsored graded classes. Level 1A was won by Tania Winchester on Joshua while Karen Withell who was having a particularly successful day took out 1B along with 2A and 2B on Denbie Giesha Bella. Lou Kerr on Delta Rose claimed both Level 3 classes while the spoils for level 4 were shared between Larissa Srhoy and Dani Simpson, Dani went on to win both graded Level 5 classes on a second horse, Integities Promise.

1.

1. Maddie Collins - Dalmah Rhinestone 2. Sarah Gray - Lexas NZ 3. Joy White - Gammon KS 4. Corey Wood - Pick Up Line 5. Dani Simpson - Greenmoor Euphoria

The ungraded sections include well supported junior classes with Maddie Collins winning both her Level 1 classes. Maddie is in the final stages of renal failure relying on daily dialysis and yet riding continues to be her passion.

2.

40 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

The standard of turn out across all levels was very high, incentivized by a Moores Riding Wear Best Presented prize of a superb show stock to the best dressed graded and ungraded combination. Winners were Linda Cocks and Sue Frogley.

OUT AND ABOUT

3.

5.

4.

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 41

OUT AND ABOUT

DRESSAGE ROTORUA Dressage Rotorua hosted the final day of their 2017 Spring Spectacular Series on September 17 at the Fiber Fresh NEC. Despite extremely challenging weather conditions leading up to the show, the day itself was surprisingly mostly fine, and nearly all competitors were able to complete their tests without getting wet.

Some lovely tests from both new and established combinations were presented, and the Championship results were very close in several Levels, in particular Level 5 where Debbie and Peter Barke were only separated by 2 points! A Musical Freestyle class was held, with riders taking the opportunity for a run through of their routines prior to the start of the Regional Shows.

Dressage Rotorua is very grateful to our series sponsors for 2017, some have been supporting our club for several years now, and we also have some new sponsors who we are thrilled to have on board.

Dressage in the Bay of Plenty is growing stronger each season, and we now all look towards our Regional Championships Show at Labour weekend, also being held at the NEC, with the new indoor arena looking fabulous and tantalisingly close to completion.

Pictured Above: Peter Barke on Parkridge Donnamour, Reserve Champion Level 5 and Debbie Barke on RM Limbo, Champion Level 5 with Sponsor Rachel Napper of Equissage & Accel Therapies.

Photos: www.takethemoment.co.nz

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FARMLANDS LEVEL 1

Champion Kellie Hamlett & Astek Geronimo Reserve Carla Harcourt & Ricker Ridge Zachary

SOUTHERN TRAILERS LEVEL 2

Champion Helen Young & Floating Currency Reserve Tayla McDonald & Ru

VETPLUS LEVEL 3

Champion Tayla McDonald & Don Qudos Reserve Kathryn Corry & Anuschka PSH

SOUTHERN TRAILERS LEVEL 4

Champion Kathryn Corry & Boom Chica Boom Reserve Ellen Mitchell & Donnerstar CDS

EQUISSAGE & ACCEL THERAPIES LEVEL 5

Champion Debbie Barke & RM Limbo Reserve Peter Barke & Parkridge Donnamour

ARCHGOLA ADVANCED

Champion Hannah van der Horst & Moby’ll Do Reserve Robyn Coupe & Besonders

TRUE NORTH ACCOUNTANTS UNREGISTERED

Champion Kimberly Trow & Master Daniel of Nicholas Lodge Reserve Catriona MacFarlane & Rebel Venture

OUT AND ABOUT Kellie Hamlett and Astek Geronimo.

Photo: Take the Moment

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 43

GOOD SORTS REPORT

DRESSAGE WAITEMATA ALLINFLEX VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD Article by Christine Hilton - Dressage Waitemata

Stephanie Baker - a rare breed of rider and a member many groups dream of ....

The hard working nineteen year old is stable manager for Wendi Williamson and although she is a young rider with some serious aspirations for her own future, she also finds the time to give back to the sport she loves.

Steph has been riding since she was seven, and has been successful in both showing and dressage. She represented New Zealand on a pony showing team and just loved that experience. Currently she rides her five year old Doringcourt gelding NPE Daku. Last year was his first season competing under saddle and showed real promise, placing third nationally in the Level 1 HorseSports Young Rider Amateur Top Ten League.

She currently trains with both Andrea Bank and Wendi on a regular basis.

Longer term, being a full time rider competing at Grand Prix is on the bucket list.

She was nominated for the volunteer award as according to her group 44 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2017

colleagues “she is that rare breed of rider that will come and help at Dressage Waitemata shows, even before she rides.

A humble and encouraging person, Steph only sees the best in others and will help without question. She loves learning and listening to the judges, so recommends writing as a good way to improve your scores and knowledge.

She hopes that more riders will take up this opportunity to learn to write for the judges as this are an area in show organisation that often struggles to find enough volunteers, and wants to encourage others to just take some time out of their competition schedule and give back to the sport that we all enjoy”.

Stephanie is the deserving recipient of Dressage Waitemata’s Volunteer of the Year award and the group would like to thank and acknowledge Steph’s contribution to our sport and wish her and her lovely horse, NPE Daku all the best in the future.

NEWS

Above: Matt Gauldie (the Artist) and the War Horse Bronze.

Photo: Richard Stowers Right: The lessons took place at the Waikato Equestrian Centre’s Riding School and the horse he is riding is Tara, an Irish Draught by Kingsway Diamond.

He is has had six half hour lessons and is now cantering Photo: Tom Rowlands

THE DEAN OF WAIKATO TAKES UP HORSE-RIDING The very Reverend Peter Rickman, Dean of Waikato is having horse-riding lessons for his role in ‘The Mane Event’, a unique one-off show organised by the Waikato Combined Equestrians and TOTI Trust to celebrate the War Horse Statue unveiling.

Noeline Jeffries, one of the organisers and President of Waikato Combined Equestrians describes ‘The Mane Event’ as a variety special with spectacular displays and performances, created to celebrate the love of the horse and its importance in our culture and history.

Noeline is personally giving Dean Peter his riding lessons and says he “is a pleasure to teach, has natural talent’ and she “can’t believe how quickly he’s progressed.” Dean Peter has one of the lead roles in an act written specifically for this show, which tells the story of the arrival of the first horse in New Zealand. He will star as Reverend Samuel Marsden, the Anglican cleric and missionary who is believed to have introduced not only Christianity to

New Zealand but also the horse, among other things.

Samuel Marsden conducted the first Christian service in New Zealand on Christmas Day 1814 to a 400 strong Maori congregation. The day before, on Christmas Eve he had arrived in the Bay of Islands, aboard the Active, along with his good friend and colleague, Nga Puhi Chief, Ruatara.

Chief Ruatara, who had previously lived with Samuel Marsden in Sydney and had studied wheat production and other agriculture while there, was returning home to share his knowledge with his people. He brought with him a mare that had been gifted to him by Samuel Marsden. New Zealand’s first horse came ashore in the Bay of Islands

on Christmas Eve, 1814. Samuel Marsden rode it up and down the beach “exciting wonder in a tenfold degree” according to JL Nicholas In his account.

He adds that the “locals” who had not seen horses before, to then “see a man seated on the back of such an animal they thought the strangest thing in nature, and following him with staring eyes they believed at the moment that he was more than mortal.”

Margaret Evans, TOTI Trust says “this little known but absolutely fascinating story is very important historically because of its many “firsts”.

All the preparations are being carried out to ensure that this day will be a memorable one for all equestrian people, citizens and the people of NZ.”

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 45

NEWS

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DIRECTORY

DRESSAGE DIRECTORY Dressage Area Group Websites and other useful links.

Equestrian Sports NZ/Dressage www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage www.facebook.com/DressageNZ www.facebook.com/EquestrianSportsNZ www.facebook.com/DressageNZU25Championships www.facebook.com/StableoftheStallions Dressage Bay of Islands www.sporty.co.nz/bayofislandsdressagegroup Dressage Northland www.sporty.co.nz/dressagenorthland

Dressage Central Districts www.sportsground.co.nz/dressagecentraldistricts

Dressage Waitemata www.dressagewaitemata.co.nz

Dressage Taranaki www.dressagetaranaki.co.nz

Dressage Warkworth www.warkworthdressage.webs.com

Dressage Wellington www.dressagewellington.org.nz

Dressage Auckland - Manukau www.amdg.org.nz

Dressage Horowhenua www.horowhenuadressage.com

Dressage Waikato www.dressagewaikato.co.nz

Dressage Wairarapa www.dressagewairarapa.com

Dressage Morrinsville -Te Aroha www.mtdg.co.nz

Dressage Nelson www.nelsondressage.webs.com

Dressage Gisborne www.gisbornedressage.org.nz

Dressage Marlborough

www.sporty.co.nz/marlboroughdressage

Dressage Bay of Plenty www.dressagebayofplenty.co.nz

Dressage Canterbury

www.canterburydressage.co.nz

Dressage Eastern Bay of Plenty www.sportsground.co.nz/ebd

Dressage Otago www.dressageotago.webs.com

Dressage Rotorua www.sporty.co.nz/dressagerotorua

Dressage Southland www.dressage-southland.com

Dressage Tauranga www.dressagetauranga.co.nz

National Equestrian Centres www.nzequestrian.org.nz

Dressage Taupo www.sporty.co.nz/taupodressagegroup

Tielcey Park Equestrian Centre www.tielceypark.co.nz (Manawatu)

Dressage Northern Hawkes Bay www.sporty.co.nz/dressagenhb

North Loburn Equestrian Centre www.nlec.co.nz (Canterbury)

Dressage Central Hawkes Bay www.sportsground.co.nz/chbdressage

Northern Equestrian Group www.freewebs.com/northerneq (Canterbury)

Dressage Southern Hawkes Bay www.sportsground.co.nz/shbdressage

Northgate Lodge www.northgatelodgeequestrian.com (Northland)

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 47

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2017 | NORTH ISLAND 8

CHB Spring Tournament

L

Waipukurau Show Grounds

8

Dressage Northland

L

Barge Park Showgrounds

8

Poverty Bay A&P Show

L

Gisborne Showgrounds

8

Auckland -Manukau

L

Clevedon A & P Showgrounds

12

Equidays Dressage (FEI levels only. Nat WEG qualifier)

-

Mystery Creek

Nat

Mystery Creek

13/15 Equidays North Island 15

Dressage Waitemata Local Day

L

Woodhill Sands

18

Hawkes Bay A&P show

L

Equestrian Park

20/22 Bay of Plenty Championships

Back on Track Premier League

NI NEC Taupo

28/29 Central Districts Championships

Back on Track Premier League

Manfeild Park

29

Waikato Equestrian Centre Spring Dressage Show

L

Waikato Equestrian Centre

29

Warkworth Dressage Local Day

L

Warkworth A&P Showgrounds

NOVEMBER 2017 | NORTH ISLAND 4

Morrinsville/Te Aroha Dressage Group

L

Waihou Showgrounds

5

Dressage Waitemata

L

Woodhill Sands

9

Central Hawke’s Bay Dressage Group

L

Waipukurau Show Grounds

11/12 Dressage Wellington

Back on Track Premier League

Solway Showgrounds Masterton

12

Dressage Auckland-Manukau

L

Clevedon A & P Showgrounds

16

Egmont A & P Show - Taranaki

L

Egmont A & P Showgrounds

18/19 Dressage Gisborne

Back on Track Premier League

Gisborne Showgrounds

19

Bay of Islands Dressage Group

L

Kaikohe Showgrounds

19

Warkworth Dressage Group

L

Warkworth A&P Showgrounds

-

ASB Showgrounds

23/26 Equitana 25/26 Dressage Northern Hawkes Bay 26

Dressage Northland

Back on Track Premier League

L

Hawkes Bay A & P Showgrounds Dargaville Racecourse

For more details of each event & venue, and contact details go to www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage/competition/calendar

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NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2017 | SOUTH ISLAND 7/8

Dressage Otago Spring Tournament

14/15 SCNO Championships

L

Taieri A&P Showgrounds

Back on Track Premier League

Winchester Showgrounds

14/15 NLEC Spring Championship Dressage

L

Rangiora A & P Showgrounds

-

Canterbury Agricultural Park

Back on Track Premier League

Marlborough Equestrian Park

21/22 Equidays South Island 21/22 Dressage Marlborough Championships 28/29 Dressage Southland Spring 29

L

Gore A&P Showgrounds

L

Harrs Road

Dressage Nelson

L

Rough Island Equestrian Park

Dressage Canterbury

L

McLeans Island NEC

NEG Day 2 Spring Series

NOVEMBER 2017 | SOUTH ISLAND 4/5 5

11/12 Dressage Otago 15

Back on Track Premier League

Canterbury A & P Assn

18/19 Dressage Ashburton

L

Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds Canterbury Agricultural Park

Back on Track Premier League

Ashburton A & P Showgrounds

19

North Loburn Equestrian Centre

L

Rangiora A & P Showgrounds

26

Northern Equestrian Group

L

Harrs Road

SOUTH ISLAND BACK ON TRACK PREMIER LEAGUE EVENTS 14/15 Oct

Sth Canterbury/Nth Otago

Winchester

21/22 Oct

Marlborough

Marlborough Equestrian Park

11/12 Nov

Otago

Taieri SG – Mosgiel

18/19 Nov

Ashburton

Ashburton SG

2/3 Dec

Canterbury

Christchurch NEC

9/10 Dec

Southland

Gore SG

13/14 Jan

Nelson

Rough Island Equestrian Park

27/28 Jan

SI Championships

Christchurch NEC

NORTH ISLAND BACK ON TRACK PREMIER LEAGUE EVENTS 20/22 Oct

Bay of Plenty

Taupo NEC

28/29 Oct

Central Districts

Manfeild Park - Feilding

11/12 Nov

Wellington

Solway SG - Masterton

18/19 Nov

Gisborne

Gisborne

25/26 Nov

Northern Hawke’s Bay

Hawkes Bay SG - Hastings

2/3 Dec

Southern Hawke’s Bay

Dannevirke SG

8/10 Dec

Waitemata

Woodhill Sands

16/17 Dec

Taihape

Taihape SG

16/17 Dec

Northland

Barge Park - Whangarei

13/14 Jan

Taranaki

Egmont SG - Hawera

19/21 Jan

AMDG Festival & NI Championships

Clevedon SG

20/21 Jan

Wairarapa

Solway SG - Masterton

27/28 Jan

Waikato Festival of Dressage

Taupo NEC

15/18 Feb

Bates National Championships CDI 3*/Y

Manfeild Park - Feilding

13/18 Mar

Horse of the Year Show CDI 3*/ Y

Hawkes Bay SG - Hastings

21/22 Apr

NZ U25 Dressage Championships

Taupo NEC

OCTOBER 2017 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 49

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