YOUNG RIDER NEWS
From left: Tayla McDonald, Hayley-Jane Malcolmson, Emma Mail Photo: Caitlin Benzie
DRESSAGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO INSPIRE YOUNG RIDERS Tayla McDonald (Waikato), Emma Mail (Wairarapa) and Emma Copplestone (Canterbury) were named as the three young riders who participated in the 2018 Dressage Talent ID camps and were awarded the Pryde’s Easifeed scholarships at the end of the season.
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cholarship prizes include a Pryde’s Easifeed presentation rug, 6 bags of Pryde’s EasiFeed, entry fees to the U25 Champs (excluding stabling and associated costs), a follow up lesson from the camp coach and with a Pryde’s EasiFeed sponsored rider and a ridden test assessment from a Dressage NZ Judge.
WHEN SELECTING THE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS, THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES ARE CONSIDERED:
• Improved performance and results following the camp • Demonstrated good horsemanship and a high level of sportsmanship and “fair play” • Should be ambassadors for the Sponsor and the sport Fifteen-year-old Tayla McDonald, one of the recipients was delighted to receive her award and had this to say following the presentation. “When I received the email from
Dressage New Zealand saying that I had won one of the Pryde’s Talent ID scholarships I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. I was honoured to accept my award at the Dressage New Zealand awards dinner. The generous scholarship couldn’t have come at a better time for me. The feed sponsored by Pryde’s means that my horses have “dinner in the cupboard”, that’s one less worry for me. With the help of my Grandad Jeffery, I have purchased a lovely youngster named Wonda Why. I hope to take him to as many premier league shows as I can this season. As part of my scholarship, I have already had a fantastic lesson with Sophie De Clifford on him, I came away with a very positive plan to keep him on the correct path forward. I have long term plans to produce Wonda Why up to the highest level I can. I also intended competing a pony that I believe has a lot of talent. I am working hard with him over
winter to try and unlock that talent before the season starts. The third member of my team is Ramsbury. I have moved up to competing him at level 5 at practice days. This has been an exciting move for me and I am enjoying the challenge of the advanced levels. One of the most exciting parts of being in the Talent ID squad 2018 was the network of friends I made. I love to catch up with them at shows. Hayley-Jane Malcolmson from Pryde’s is always readily available to check that my ever-changing team is on the correct feed to perform at the best of their ability. I appreciate the continued support from Dressage New Zealand and all the wonderful people that help run these camps. It has been a large contributing factor in my enjoyment, growth, and pursuit of excellence in dressage. Thank you from Tayla McDonald JULY 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 31