Dressage NZ Bulletin Issue 36 September 2019

Issue 36 | September 2019

Isabell and the German triumph at Rotterdam WHY OUR SPORT MUST BE FUN FOR CHILDREN

New Season series announcement VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

EDITORIAL

GUEST EDITORIAL

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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 and Advertising: Sarah Gray Email: sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz Copyright © Snaffle Design and Dressage NZ 2018 Cover Image: European Champions Isabell Werth and Bella Rose Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos

n 2009 the average of the best 3 scores in the Grand Prix at the Bates New Zealand National Dressage Champs was 58%. That same year, at the European Championships the Netherlands won team Gold with an average Grand Prix score of 79.5%. A measly 21.5% ahead of us. At that stage even the team in 10th were 5% ahead of us.

By 2018 the Gold medal winning team at the World Championships in Tryon achieved an average score of 80.98%. On the other side of the globe in little old NZ our top 3 Grand Prix scores averaged 69.81. A slightly more respectful deficit of 11%. As for the team in 10th place, had we been there, we could have been 11th.

Over the last ten years we have closed the gap between us and the top country in the world by about 1% per year. If we continue at the same rate of improvement then we will break the top 5 in 6 years, in other words the next Olympics after Tokyo. We’ll win the bronze medal in 8 years, or the following WEG. And we will be the highest scoring team in 11 years.

When you look at it that way, the chance of a New Zealand team winning an Olympic medal in dressage does not seem an unrealistic proposition. All it takes is to keep moving forward at the same rate. Easy right?

So how do we keep catching up to the rest of the world? A good starting point is to understand how we made the progress we have in the first place. Over the last ten years we have had seven different National Grand Prix Champions. So, it’s not just a few riders that have improved, it’s a whole generation of Grand Prix riders that have contributed to where we are at now.

Is it just the FEI level riders? What about the lower levels? Just as a random example, in Level 3 at Nationals in 2009 the average score for the 3.4 test was 60%. In 2019 the average score in 3C was 66%. Only two horses scored below 60% in 2019. A similar story emerges if you repeat this exercise at any other level. In other words, standards have improved quite dramatically across the board. The upward trend in in fact a little more pronounced at the lower levels and began at those levels several years earlier than they filtered through to Grand Prix. So it would seem that is where our progress really began.

Perhaps the lesson to be learned from the progress of the last ten years is that the way to improve scores at the highest level in a lasting way is to improve the standard of basics at the lower levels. As a sport our approach to development of international competitors has generally focused on identifying talented combinations and selecting them to squads for additional training and support.

Perhaps it is time to reconsider that approach.

Scott McKenna Chair of Dressage

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CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

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EQUITANA AUCKLAND

DRESSAGE NZ NEWS

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

BREEDING SPECIAL

We have all the information you need to know around entering and attending this great event...

Don't miss the latest news, including the latest team announcements...

It was a week filled with highs and lows and an almighty German whitewash...

We meet Victoria Wall's beautiful young Stallion First Hit EDH...

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THE PERFECT SURFACE

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

IDOC JUDGES CLINIC

OUR PEOPLE

Trevor Kouwenhoven discusses how to keep your arena surface in perfect condition...

Wellington Dressage hosted a Vanessa Way Masterclass and now we have her secrets too...

Barbara Chalmers shares with us her experience at the recent Hartpury IDOC Judges clinic...

Sue Cole and Sue Harris are this months Official and Volunteer of the month...

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 3

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NATIONAL NEWS

LIVE YOUR PASSION FOR HORSES AT EQUITANA AUCKLAND

THE STAR – TRISTAN TUCKER (TRT METHOD)

Internationally renowned trainer Tristan Tucker is headlining Friday at EQUITANA Auckland. Tristan, The world’s biggest stars, educators, traders and the founder of the TRT method will blend his seasoned dressage competitors will be descending on ASB Showgrounds to expertise with his all-round showcase their love for horses, share their knowledge, tell horsemanship skills in the Friday their stories and inspire the equine community. Each day of Masterclass. Learn from this world EQUITANA has been developed with a specific discipline in class trainer and bring out the best https://www.equitanaakl.co.nz/friday-at-equitana/?utm_source=Dressage%20NZ%20Bulletin&utm_medium=Magazine&utm_campaign=Dressage%20offering%20article&utm_content=Dressage%20at%20EQUITANA mind and Friday November 21 is for the Dressage lovers. in your relationship with your horse.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW • Friday ‘Dressage Masterclass’ Ticket – from $65*

This ticket includes entry into the event, including trade halls, full daily competition and education programme PLUS the Dressage Masterclass with Tristan Tucker. *Does not include Evening Show.

• Friday ‘Dressage’ Full Day Ticket – from $100

This ticket includes entry into the event, including trade halls, full daily competition and education programme PLUS the Dressage Masterclass with Tristan Tucker and Evening Show ‘Dressage Spectacular’

• Expo Ticket – from $25*

This ticket includes entry into the event, including trade halls, full daily competition and education programme. *Does not include Masterclass or Evening Show.

DRESSAGE COMPETITION PROGRAMME – HOW TO ENTER?

There will be two levels of Dressage offered at EQUITANA, Intermediate 1 and Grand Prix. Entries will be opening in September and full details will be available at the EQUITANA Auckland website.

DO YOU WANT THE FULL EQUITANA EXPERIENCE? THEN A SUPER TICKET IS FOR YOU!

A Super Ticket to EQUITANA gives you access to absolutely everything across the four days, including all four Masterclass and all four Evening Shows. You’ll have unprecedented access to our four Star Presenters; Sir Mark Todd (eventing), Tristan Tucker (dressage), Bruce Goodin (jumping) and Al Dunning (horsemanship). Plus you’ll be saving over $170! There is a reason why Super Tickets are our most popular ticket type and are such great value. Get yours for only $285 before they sell out.

EQUITANA Auckland will be held as the ASB Showgrounds from the 21-24 November, 2019. To see the full event timetable and all the ticket types, visit www.equitanaakl.co.nz

THE DRESSAGE MASTERCLASS PRESENTED

BY TRISTAN TUCKER Tristan Tucker is world renowned for developing the ‘TRT Method’, a unique all-round training programme, well regarded by the world’s best riders. As Tristan explains, the TRT method is for every horse and rider whether you’re just starting out or competing at Grand Prix level. Come and learn from an industry leading expert.

EVENING SHOW – DRESSAGE SPECTACULAR The EQUITANA Auckland Grand Prix Dressage programme is a spectacle not to be missed in this glittering evening showcase.

New Zealand’s top horse and rider combinations will battle it out in the Grand Prix on Thursday morning to decide the starting order for the prestigious Freestyle, held on Friday evening. The evening will be opened by our inspiring Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes in action and will see Dressage performances delivered like you’ve never seen before.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 5

NATIONAL NEWS

ESNZ SECONDARY SCHOOL TEAMS ANNOUNCED

Emma Dickons of Freyberg High School Photo: Supplied

Excitement is in the air for the team of ESNZ secondary school students selected to represent New Zealand in the Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships to be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, home of the 2000 Olympic Games.

ESNZ Dressage and Jumping have announced an eight strong, all girl squad to compete in the at event from 29th September until 2nd October, hosted Equestrian NSW, on behalf of Equestrian Australia.

The team will all compete on borrowed horses arranged by the Organizing Committee. The dressage team will compete up to Elementary Level, and the Jumping team to 1.05m.

This is the first time New Zealand Dressage and Jumping riders have competed at this event. Thirty Dressage and sixty three Jumping riders threw their hat into the selection arena demonstrating the enthusiasm for representing New Zealand at the event. The discipline selectors were overwhelmed by the number and quality of the candidates. The tour is self-funded by the riders.

Alyssa Harrison of Rosehill College Photo: Libby Law

DRESSAGE

Alyssa Harrison (Rosehill College) Emma Dickons (Freyberg High School) Meila Picard (Waimea College) Rebecca Mobberley (Wairarapa College) Team Manager Karen Anderson

Rebecca Mobberley of Wairarapa College Photo: Libby Law

JUMPING

Ella Rutherford (Westlake Girls High School) Georgia Allison (Darfield High School) Lilly Carpenter (Nga Tawa) Olivia Prendergast (Matamata College)

Meila Picard of Waimea College Photo: Libby Law

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NATIONAL NEWS

NEW JUDGE LISTINGS Aligning with 2019 tests structure, judges will now be accredited from List A to G. This modification will also allow for easier facilitation of Australia and NZ judge exchange programmes.

NEWS

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT It was agreed another Event Management Workshop be held in conjunction with the Bates Nationals 2020

PONY & RIDER DEVELOPMENT • It was moved that pony classes be at Elementary & Medium level offered at the Bates Nationals in addition to the CDIP as several experienced pony riders are outside the FEI age limit for a CDIP. This will give them the opportunity to be judged by the international judges.

The FEI pony CDIP tests to be used for Medium level.

Tests to be confirmed for Elementary level.

• That a Junior Prize be Awarded aligning with FEI age rules (14 to 18yrs) be awarded in for competitors in Advanced Medium.

• Equestrian Entries U25CH: It was resolved that this event has dual status. That ESNZ National title competitions & championships be designated NCH, and all other competitions and championships be designated RE. • That a Young Rider Training Forum be held on Monday 27th January following the event.

News from the August Board Meeting

VICE CHAIR POSITION FILLED Sarah Hazlewood, current Finance Officer on the Dressage Board, was elected as Dressage Vice Chair at the recent Board meeting.

DRESSAGE AGA DELEGATES The nine Dressage discipline delegates to the ESNZ AGA and Officials Workshop are the six Board members, plus Rachel McCallum (FEI Steward), Margs Carline (Selector, Judge & National Event Technical Delegate) and Lynda Clark (Dressage rep to the ESNZ Board).

NEW TESTS (AMENDMENTS) ESNZ DRESSAGE TEST BOOK Amendments 14/8/19 PAGE TEST

Official ESNZ

DRESSAGE TESTS 2019

©

36

Novice 2B

Not to be ridden in 40 x 20m arena

36

Novice 2B

Movement 12: Directive Replace: and 'quality of trot' with 'quality of canter'

36

Novice 2B

Movement 13: Directive: Delete: …quality of trot and

37

Novice 2B

Movement 18: Directive Delete: …quality of trot and

38

Novice 2C

Not to be ridden in 40 x 20m arena

53

Elementary FS

Renvers NOT permitted

65

Medium FS

Movement 1: Medium Walk (min 15m continuous) Delete: Collected walk (min 15m continuous)

65

Medium FS

Renvers NOT permitted

77

Adv-Med FS

Movement 1: Medium Walk (min 15m continuous) Delete: Collected walk (min 15m continuous)

77

Adv-Med FS

Renvers PERMITTED

89

Advanced FS

Movement 3: Collected trot left including right shoulder in…

Delete: left

89

Advanced FS

Movement: 4 Collected trot right including left shoulder in…

Delete: right

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 7

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8 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Germany took places 1-3 in the musical freestyle (from left) Dorothee Schneider (2nd), Isabell Werth (1st) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (3rd)

GERMANY DOMINATES THE MEDAL PODIUM

Gold in the teams event went to the German team (from left) Dorothee Schneider, Isabell Werth, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Sonke Rothenberger

Article by Louise Parkes Photos by Dean Mouhtaropoulos

On a day of breath taking sport, Germany’s Isabell Werth brought the Longines FEI Dressage European Championships 2019 to a close when she claimed her third gold medal of the week in the Freestyle riding her great mare Bella Rose. On a day filled with personal-best performances, her compatriots Dorothee Schneider and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl clinched silver and bronze, with Schneider only 0.314 off Werth’s winning score.

Catherine Dufour (DEN) broke the German domination by placing third in the Grand Prix Special (from left) Dorothee Schneider, Isabell Werth and Catherine Dufour

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Stand up for the champions, Grand Prix Special placegetters (from left) Catherine Dufour (3), Dorothee Schneider (2) and Isabell Werth (1) Photo: Liz Gregg

ISABELL WERTH

The most successful athlete in the entire history of international equestrian sport, Werth today collected the 24th European Championship medal of her astonishing career but she said that her medal collection is not what drives her.

“The most beautiful thing is the many different horses, and different kinds of horses I have had, that’s why I’m still motivated to ride. To wake up and go in the saddle every day, its a privilege when you can do what you love, and you love what you do, and Madeleine (Winter-Schulze, her patron) gives me all the freeness I need to do the sport… this is why I’m still here!”, she said.

T

he competition built to an incredible crescendo as rider after rider excelled themselves in front of a packed stadium of knowledgeable spectators who savoured every moment. Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen drew gasps of delight with spectacular one-tempi changes from his one-eyed stallion Blue Hors Zack to take the temporary lead when eighth to go of the 15 starters. But two horses later the home crowd went wild when Edward Gal and Glock’s Zonik NOP went out in front with 84.271.

Fifth-last into the arena, von Bredow-Werndl and her 12-yearold mare TSF Dalera blew the competition wide open with a personal-best score of 89.107, showing beautiful rhythm and balance and the softest of contact in their onetempi changes. Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy, who took bronze in Thursday’s Grand Prix Special, followed with a fabulous test that slotted them in behind on

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87.771, and then it was time for the lady recognised as the Queen of international Dressage, Werth with the great love of her life, the mare she calls Bella.

And the crowd were in for a treat, the extraordinary horsewoman working them into a frenzy of excitement that had them clapping wildly as the turned the centreline for their final halt. But the battle wasn’t over yet, because Schneider threw down the best score of her career with Showtime who showed his great power and presence when putting 90.561 on the board. Last to go, Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K ended a superb week that saw her post three new Irish record scores when finishing fifth, behind Dufour, on a mark of 85.589.

Bronze medallist von Bredow Werndl described this as “the most exhausting week ever, it was a rollercoaster of emotions but it had the happiest ending I could have wished for, and Dalera was just extraordinary

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Bella Rose was feeling like a rockstar for the trot up inspection!

Photo: Kim Lundin

Edward Gal (NED) and the super sire Glock's Zonik NOP Photo: Liz Gregg

today. At the very beginning she was a little bit nervous and I was a bit nervous before I entered the arena, but I took some deep breaths and I was completely with her and she was with me for the whole test, there was no second we lost each other and it was just a phenomenal dance!” she said.

Schneider had every reason to be elated by her score too, because her mark sees her join an elite group that includes only five other riders who have achieved over 90 percent in Freestyle. “When Showtime came into the arena and saw the audience he said let’s dance now, and we danced together. ...we really enjoyed ourselves! I wasn’t thinking about scores, I just wanted to enjoy this Freestyle…it’s an emotional bond

between Showtime and me and today he had fun and I did too!” she said.

This has been a great week and a very long week and I’m so happy and so proud of Bella!” said Werth. “She gave me a super feeling in all three competitions, and she was always doing her best.

"There were so many exciting performances here in Rotterdam, and for a few of us it was a real roller-coaster which reminds us that, in Championships, anything can happen. For me and Bella there were things today that we could improve on, but there were also so many highlights, and in the end to come up the centreline and hear the audience start to clap - I’m just so happy, it has been a super week for Germany!"

Making magic under floodlights, Catherine Dufour (DEN) and Atterupgaards Cassidy Photo: Liz Gregg

A highlight was the airtime that Showtime and Dorothee Schneider (GER) demonstrated during their three tests Photo: Liz Gregg

No one is safe when Isabell cracks open the Champagne!! Jessica von Bredow-Werndl takes a hit.

Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 11

ELITE FROZEN FOALS - EUROPEAN NEWS

Swedish stars, Jessica Lynn Thomas and the 5-Year-Old champion Secret Photo: Dirk Caremans

LONGINES FEI WBFSH DRESSAGE WORLD BREEDING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR YOUNG HORSES This was the fourth time the event has been held at Ermelo venue in Holland, and next year it will return to Verden in Germany where it was previously staged over a period of 15 years.

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ELITE FROZEN FOALS - EUROPEAN NEWS

Andreas Helgstrand & Queenspark Wendy

Frederic Wandres & Zucchero OLD Andreas Helgstrand & Jovian

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he event has become a superb testing ground for future champions as horses compete against their peers born in the same year, firstly in a qualifier from which the top 12 qualify directly for the final while the rest go into a small final from which the top three also make the cut.

THREE GREAT FINALS AND THREE GREAT CHAMPIONS After all the pressure of the qualifiers, Jovian, a KWPN stallion, claimed the 5-Year-Old title, the Oldenburg stallion Zucchero topped the 6-year-Old division and the Hanoverian stallion d’Avie returned from his 2018 triumph to star once

again as a 7-Year-Old at the Longines FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.

5-YEAR-OLDS: THE MARKS REVEALED AN HISTORIC NUMBER OF 10S Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand had a glorious weekend when taking gold and bronze for this age group.

In the final round he first competed Queenparks Wendy, a mare by threetime World Breeding Championship winner Sezuan, and in a solid test she showed lovely relaxed walk and a canter so uphill it earned a 10 and went into the lead with a total of 9.42 points.

A big crowd favourite, the sensational breeding stallion Secret,

a son of Sezuan, won the qualifier for Sweden’s Jessica Lynn Thomas, but they had to settle for silver in the final when Helgstrand returned to squeeze past them and post the winning score of 9.66 with Jovian. “The trot had so much spring, so much suspension, front and hind matching well”, said judge Maria Schwennesen from Australia.

6-YEAR-OLDS: ZUCCHERO COMES OUT ON TOP The test for the 6-Year-Old final demands a heightened degree of difficulty, so it sifts out the real potential stars who may well be the Grand Prix horses at the Olympic Games in 2024, just five years from now.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 13

ELITE FROZEN FOALS - EUROPEAN NEWS

D'Avie and Severo Jurado Lopez

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and the Danish Warmblood, Straighthorse Ascenzione, kicked off yesterday morning with a score of 8.94 before the Netherlands’ Bart Veeze and the KWPN stallion Imposantos nearly scored an all the way 10 for walk, but totalled 9.8.

The first to challenge his lead was Helgstrand, this time partnering Zhaplin Langholt which is owned by American Grand Prix rider Charlotte Jorst. The pair were clapped down their final centreline before their mark of 9.34 went up on the leader board. And then the Danish rider returned to go even better with his 5-Year-Old champion from last year, Revolution. The arena was hushed as this pair showed superb rhythm and a breath-taking, ground-covering uphill canter, and the trot was rewarded with a 10 for a total final score of 9.44.

However, the spectators showed who their favourite was when they cheered Germany’s Frederic Wandres and Zucchero OLD all the way from their final corner to their final halt.

“This horse excelled in the flying changes and lateral work; he was the closest to perfection! His future as a dressage horse is bright!” commented

the judges after they posted the winning mark of 9.66.

7-YEAR-OLDS: D’AVIE IS CHAMPION ONCE AGAIN The 7-Year-Olds have to deliver a combination of excellent gaits and precision, with technical scores awarded by two judges along with the conventional five-score assessment of Trot, Walk, Canter, Submission and future Perspective.

If any horse has a stellar pedigree it is Total Hope OLD, a son of Isabell

Jan Moller Christensen & Hesselhoj Donkey Boy

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Werth’s super-mare Weihegold OLD and world champion Totilas. An approved stallion ridden by Norway’s Isabel Freese who has been working for Paul Schockemohle in Germany for many years, the black stallion went into the lead on a score of 84.250.

However, the pair were overtaken

by Denmark’s Jan Moller Christensen and Hesselhoj Donkey Boy who previously took a bronze as a fiveyear-old. Rewarded a 10 for a huge walk and another for potential, they went out in front when posting 85.02.

But last year’s 6-Year-Old champion D’Avie presented a performance that made the audience burst into applause well before the end, and this son of Don Juan de Hus snatched the gold by a whisker when putting 85.107 on the board.

“Of course, I felt pressure defending the title, especially when the competition comes so close!” said rider Severo Jurado Lopez, a rider who has made something of a habit of great success and results at these championships over many years. The Spanish star referred to the mare Fiontini with which he has won at each level in these Championships and who now looks set for stardom on the big stage.

https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2019/longines-fei-wbfsh-dressage-world-breeding-championship-for-young-horses-ermelo/index.html

FULL RESULTS HERE

ELITE FROZEN FOALS - EUROPEAN NEWS

Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Adriano B

PONY DRESSAGE AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Article by Louise Parkes Photos by Lukasz Kowalski

The Danish dressage pony team were dominant when taking team gold on the first day.

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heir final score of 226.829 gave Alexander Yde Helgstrand (Adriano B), Liva Addy Guldager Nielsen (D’Artagnan), Nathalie Thomassen (Lykkehoejs Dream of Dornik) and Thilde Rude Hare (Morgensterns Dakar) a narrow advantage over the Dutch (225.71) and Germany taking the bronze medal on 224.915.

Helgstrand made it a triple celebration when going on to take both the Individual and Freestyle titles, scoring 82.4 in the Freestyle. In both cases his team-mate Nielsen finished in silver medal position ahead of Germany’s Benner in bronze.

This was the perfect finale to Helgstrand’s pony career, as the talented young man who turns 16 in November is ready to move onto horses next year. His father is doubleOlympian Andreas Helgstrand who took team bronze at the Beijing Games in Hong Kong in 2008 and individual silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen (GER) in 2015, and his mother Marianne is also a highly competitive rider so Alexander has Dressage in his genes.

“It was really exciting until the last moment, and after the last rider I was so happy, so it’s incredible! Adriano B is super sweet, he is a nice and relaxed pony, but when he is on a track at the show he is fighting!” the new individual champion explained.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 15

NZ BREEDING SPECIAL First Hit EDH the striking young stallion who has a bright future ahead

https://www.elitedressagehorsesnz.com/stallions

NATURAL SELECTION Article by Jess Roberts

Breeding horses has an element of luck to it, spinning the wheel to try and get that elusive mixture of quality bloodlines, faultless temperament and outstanding athleticism just right. The stars aligned over Victoria Wall’s boutique stud three years ago in the form of a Furstenball colt, now a gorgeous young stallion ready and available for service.

Victoria with her Grand Prix mare Letty Lei EDH at HOY 2019 Photo: Libby Law

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aikato-based Victoria is well used to the business of breeding horses, but this is the first time she will be standing a stallion of her own. “Furst Hit EDH [Friday] is the one I’ve decided to keep a stallion because he is so easy – he is a beautiful ‘person’ and a lovely horse,” she says. The 16.3hh black stallion has a royal dressage pedigree, being out of a Sandro Hit x Jazz mare, and

by Furstenball who is becoming well known for producing ‘ladies horses’ that are trainable and easy to ride.

The Grand Prix rider initially got into the breeding side of horses to provide herself with an internationally competitive horse. “For a top international horse, you need an open chequebook, which is not always feasible!” she laughs. “So I decided this was the best way to get a horse that I couldn’t otherwise afford.”

Victoria began her quest by importing a mare from Australia, buying Friday’s dam from Neversfelde Stud in New South Wales. She says this has turned out to be the best investment she has ever made. “I bought her in foal to Negro [sire of world champion Valegro), and that foal has just now been broken in,” she explains. “He’s definitely a pocket rocket, he is very, very hot.

He is a cross that I really liked, and it was obvious when he was born that he was going to be a mega mover but

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he was hot and sensitive and I wasn’t really sure how rideable he would be.”

In the meantime Victoria decided to put her mare to Furstenball, to give herself another option while she assessed the Negro foal’s trainability.

“Furstenball gives reliably brilliant temperaments, and the mare obviously produces a lot of quality.

And so Friday was born, the young colt winning the Rhineland Foal of the Year studbook award shortly after his arrival.

Fast-forward three years, and for

NZ BREEDING SPECIAL FURST HIT EDH - Rheinland

2016 Black colt, EMH 16.3hh by Furstenball x Sandro Hit x Jazz Service fee: $2000 plus collections. LFG

https://www.elitedressagehorsesnz.com/stallions FUERST HEINRICH

FLORESTAN I DARWINA

FURSTENBALL

DONNERHALL

MARADONNA MARELLA

FURST HIT EDH

FIDELIO RAUTE DONNERHALL WIBKE DONNERWETTER NINETTE CLASSIKER MAUREEN

SANDRO SONG

SANDRO

LORETTA

ANTENNE II

SANDRO HIT NEVERSFELDE JAZZ HIT JAZZ KPWN

CHARMANTE

NEVERSFELDE JULIA NEVERSFELDE FARIKA

the first time ever New Zealand and Australia will be able to performance test Rhineland and Hanoverian stallions on home soil. Previously the only place to performance test was in Europe, which made it near impossible for an NZ stallion to attend, and consequently foals by that stallion could not be branded, as they weren’t in the studbook. “So it’s just a huge leap forward,” says Victoria.

“The classifiers from Germany had a look at Friday last summer and he has been accepted to go forward for the testing in February. That would make him an internationally licensed stallion in the Rhineland studbook: we can brand his offspring and that opens up more doors.”

Friday was broken-in as a 2-yearold and doesn’t turn three in real time until early November. The performance testing takes three days and the horses need to have a certain level of fitness, but Victoria is determined to take it slowly. “I want this horse to be a potential Grand Prix horse,” she says. “Luckily he has a great temperament so I can pick him up and put him down. We’ll get him a little prepared before February. He is still a baby – I hop on for twenty minutes every couple of weeks and

that’s fine. The amazing thing is, that even just once a fortnight he still improves with each ride.”

With five horses in work – including the Negro foal, now an exciting 4-year-old, Victoria has fulltime groom Jodie Radford on hand to help get through the busy days. Her top horse, Letty Lei EDH, completed her first season at Grand Prix this past summer. Together they achieved some amazing results at this very early stage of their GP experience, scoring 70% at HOY in the Freestyle and taking home the L9 Pro-Am Championship title. Their campaign finished at Sydney CDI*** which saw Victoria propelled up the FEI World Rider Rankings from 384th to 250th.

Victoria takes a refreshing and self-responsible approach to her training. She worked with Andrea Raves exclusively in the early years of her dressage education, which she began just ten years ago. “I think when you start out, you need to stick with someone – you need to learn a system.

Before you start getting bits and pieces from people and making sense of it, you need to have a deep understanding of the whole process otherwise you get lost. Reading books and watching videos is a great thing but as far as working with somebody, it’s good to stay with them for quite a while.

COCKTAIL

KOENIGSBERG T

“Then once you start getting confident, you can go to other trainers – they all have their different strengths and you can start to develop your own style, and discover the uniqueness that you are as a rider. If you look at all the top riders, whether it’s Charlotte or Edward or Isabell, they’ve all got their unique style. They’re also all brilliant. But they’re not the same. So I think that’s important, too.” Victoria also credits the training input she has received from Vanessa Way and Peter Storr in more recent times.

Having built her businesses singlehandedly – she also owns Elite Equine Nutrition – to fund her dream as well as train her own horses from scratch, Victoria is enjoying the support of her partner of 12 months, John Morrison. They met at an All Blacks game and John didn’t know one end of a horse from the other, “but the odd thing is, he has become horsey quite quickly – even my horse likes him better than me!” jokes the Tamahere rider. “For the first time it’s given me a taste of true support.

It’s no accident that he’s been in my life for the last year, and that’s been my best ever season. It is important to have people that believe in you – it does make a difference.”

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 17

EDUCATION

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FUN FOR CHILDREN AND OUR SPORT Words by Wendy Hamerton Photos by Libby Law

Simon Walters - Senior Lecturer in Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology Chris Whatman - Associate Professor, Sport and Exercise Science, Auckland University of Technology

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ttendees at the recent Dressage NZ Conference were truly fortunate to listen to an entertaining and thought-provoking presentation by Associate Professor Chris Whatman.

Sport Manager Wendy Hamerton tracked down Simon Walters and Chris Whatman after listening to a radio talk back show with CEO of the Nelson Rugby Union which had raised some interesting questions about youth sport and talent identification

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programmes. Wendy states “The topic captured my imagination at a time dressage is mindful of the need to develop young equestrian athletes and retain them, or at least attract them back given the longevity of equestrian participation and high-performance opportunity. The talkback conversation centred around rugby but the more I listened, the more I identified parallels within our own sport – so many young athletes trying so hard to be successful but just a handful recognised.”

NATIONAL NEWS EDUCATION representative junior teams. The decision was based on a considerable body of research that suggests children’s sport is increasingly driven by adults ambitions.

CULTURE CHANGE IN CHILDREN’S SPORTS

WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING

The emphasis in youth sport programs should be on developing as many athletes as possible, not winning with a few of the “best”.

Too often we praise youth coaches and athletes because they win competitions, but how often do we credit coaches with developing lifelong participants in a sport? And when was the last time we gave a youth athlete credit for sticking with his or her sport?

'FIRST IN’ MAY NOT EQUAL ‘BEST DRESSED’

It’s increasingly common to see sports academies advertising “talent identification days” for children as young as five years old.

It seems logical – if a child starts young, surely they enjoy a head start and have the best chance to succeed.

But in reality, talent is much more complex than accumulating practice time as per the so-called 10,000hour rule (which says 10,000 hours of practice are required to become world-class).

In fact, rather than “first in, best dressed”, research suggests “early in equals early out”. In one study around 75% of young athletes (average recruitment age equals 15) recruited into talent programs lasted two years or less, and those who made it to the highest levels were first recruited at a much later age (around 19 years).

DAVID BEAT GOLIATH

Although we can estimate maturity, it is almost impossible to predict success in sport. After all, no one predicted that tiny David would

triumph over the giant Goliath in the well-known biblical story. But success in sport is multidimensional, so a lack of size and strength can be compensated with superior skill, savvy and confidence.

Parents and sporting organisations should emphasise holistic development of young athletes, rather than focusing on obvious traits like physical fitness and skill.

Two often overlooked factors that substantially contribute to long-term success are psychosocial characteristics (such as parental support and motivation) and nonsport-specific motor competence (the ability to execute a wide range of motor skills).

Acknowledging the multidimensional nature of talent and the “uneven playing field” described above allows talent developers to make decisions based on future potential, not just current performance.

Playing sports has clear social, physical and mental health benefits for children. But evidence shows that youth sports in Western societies have become increasingly controlled and regulated by adults, which takes the fun out for many children.

Participation rates by adolescents have been declining and recent statistics released by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) show a 60% surge in sports injuries for children in the 10 to 14 age group over the past decade in New Zealand.

In response to concerns about declining participation from this age group, the North Harbour Rugby Union recently decided to remove

Sport NZ has acknowledged that there are issues with child and youth sporting systems. In 2015, they funded a youth sport “culture change” project, Good Sports, which ran over a three-year period in the Auckland area. The project was designed and implemented by Aktive Auckland, in close collaboration with researchers in youth sports.

A key focus was to have researchinformed conversations with parents, coaches, volunteers and teachers, as well as the organisations that put the structures in place, about what makes a quality sporting experience for a young person. It was in a large part due to these conversations that North Harbour Rugby decided to scrap representative junior rugby.

Aside from concerns about dropout, research also shows that an overemphasis on representative teams and performance at an early age promotes early specialisation. Our NZ-based research suggests that overengagement in organised sport (often associated with early specialisation) can increase risk of overuse injuries, possibly contributing to the increased injuries in young people identified by ACC. Representative teams at early ages have also been associated with overthe-top adult behaviour at sporting events and with selection that biases older and more physically mature children. This further supports the concerns of North Harbour Rugby that their player development may be closing doors for talented but less physically mature children. The move to remove junior representative teams has since been replicated by a number of other provincial rugby unions.

The international media attention the decision received suggests that there is a need for a culture change in other sports and other countries. It is the children’s game, not ours.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 19

THE PERFECT SURFACE

DEEPER ISSUES Article by Trevor Kouwenhoven

Maintaining the perfect arena surface requires an understanding of all its functional elements. Expert arena builder Trevor Kouwenhoven provides more insights into how to keep your surface in perfect condition.

Inset picture Sediment saturated surface sand

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inter rains cause havoc with most arenas often exposing initial design failures and maintenance issues.

For owners, there are a number of things we have advocated for over previous editions to keep your arena in the best working order including: • correct grooming techniques • aeration • irrigation and • drainage control.

But what if after doing all of the above you are still experiencing low/ high spots, flooding and compaction issues?

In this month’s edition we look at two “hidden factors” that can cause major problems if left unattended.

SURFACE SAND CONTAMINATION When you initially build your arena its important to try and procure the “cleanest” materials possible for your surface. Due to the nature of the sourcing process it is virtually impossible to get 100% contaminant-free sand/shell mix.

Often it is the source that is the problem. Therefore, where possible, we blend our own clean shell/sand mix.

Over time several factors will exacerbate the problem including: • high traffic • type of use • external pollutant introduction such as hoof debris • drainage design • maintenance and arena care.

In most cases these impurities do not wash out but settle on and into the arena base. This can then negate a well-designed drainage system or clog the base over time if the arena design drains via the base into underground drainage. What is left behind often forms the sub-layer “crust” between the surface and the base. Eventually the arena becomes very slow to drain and unusable for long periods of time. This can all be avoided by correct arena design.

20 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

THE PERFECT SURFACE Figure 1: Silt and clays in a delivered sand / shell mix EQ3 Figure 2: Washing and removing silts from Sand/Shell mix.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 3: What a “Clean” Sand/Shell mix should look like after heavy rain.

In figure 1, once the sample EQ3 sand shell mix is stirred up the hidden silts and clays become visible.

These silts and clays when dry can cause dust nuisance and obvious drainage issues. Further degradation of this surface will occur over time and act like a slurry porridge if stirred up. This then becomes horrible and difficult to ride, for both horse and rider. Eventually this “impurity sludge” settles back on the base and the process starts all over again and you never get rid of it!

Consider this: Would it not be better to remove the above issue at the design stage? When you buy surface product with high impurity levels, you run the risk of creating problems further down the track.

In our experience many arena problems, start with contractors not understanding the long term impact surface impurities has on the performance of an arena.

We use our professional abilities to address possible issues and produce outcomes acceptable to our clients before a build commences.

BASE MAPPING

TREVOR’S TIP OF THE MONTH Check your surface depth by inserting a steel engineers’ ruler at various points in the arena. Ideally the depth should be consistent across the entire surface +/- 10-15mm

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BASE MAPPING AND TO BOOK IN AN ARENA WOF CONTACT TREVOR@HORSEARENAS.CO.NZ TIME TO GET IT READY FOR SPRING.

At Horsearenas.co.nz more and more we are being asked to assess existing arenas, many less than 5 years old, and ascertain the source of their ongoing problems. In most cases the problems start with the base.

Past arena designs are likely to have been adequate at the time of construction however as mentioned previously in this article, various factors can expose faults over time.

If left unchecked there is a likelihood a much larger and expensive problem will occur in the future.

To better understand how your arena reacts or copes with various environmental impacts, Trevor and his team at Horsearenas.co.nz have developed a system to enable them to plot base depths and provide an accurate diagram of the base levels. In doing so, they can determine water flow patterns and work out necessary volumes when topping up surface materials.

Base Mapping identifies both high and low points that causes “holes” to form and water to be retained. This gives the ability for a more precise repair option rather than a full and costly rebuild.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 21

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

The Wellington audience was wrapped up both in blankets and wonder as Vanessa Way shared her top secrets in an enlightening masterclass.

THE WAY FORWARD WITH VANESSA Article by Rosanne Rix Photos by Lisa Preston

Dressage Wellington’s commitment to sport development in their area was recently evident when they hosted a Masterclass with Vanessa Way, a popular trainer who comes regularly to the area.

T

he local Silverstream RDA indoor arena was an ideal venue attracting over seventy-five enthusiastic spectators who also mixed and mingled during a muchappreciated afternoon tea provided by the group.

Dressage Wellington is a relatively small group with a dedicated committee who actively seek means to invest any money raised back into their membership. As well as running masterclasses, they have provided scholarships for members to apply for, and also subsidised members to attend events such as the Charlotte Dujardin Masterclass.

Instead of the traditional masterclass format of going through each level, Vanessa

22 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

stamped her own way of highlighting various movements, choosing a “green” horse and an “established” horse to demonstrate. Between each session there was time for questions from the audience. She has a unique way of communicating and interacting with the riders and spectators, being able to clearly and concisely explain what she wants, all with a great dollop of her individual humour.

Occasionally the demo riders were asked to “do a bad one”, for exsample to show shoulder in on 4 tracks instead of 3 – the looks of consternation on the riders’ faces as they struggled to go against the grain of their training was at times amusing.

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

1.

SHOULDER FORE AND SHOULDER IN ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE DRESSAGE HORSE

These were the first movements covered, Vanessa explained their importance in enabling the rider to straighten and position their horse.

Lisa Preston riding the diminutive Whistledown Obsidian (Sid) were first up. At just four years old, this pony has already enjoyed a successful in-hand showing career. Lisa has previously been a successful individual and team member at NZPCA Dressage and Eventing Championships but has now hung up her jumping boots to focus on her lovely Welsh ponies, and her children’s riding careers. This pair worked on introducing shoulder in and shoulder fore, Vanessa recommends that good excercise is to start the movement on the 3/4 line then leg yield towards the wall then pick up the movement again - it's great for riding from the inside leg to outside rein and also to teach the horse to respect the inside leg by not falling onto it. Lisa found these were great exercises to help establish straightness, and also noted Vanessa’s insistence the horses being responsive off the leg “ask quietly initially, follow up with more leg if needed but don’t nag. With a young horse we should remember to reward the ‘tries’. Be happy with what a young horse offers you, even if they don't answer your questions correctly, at least they’re giving you an answer.”

The six-year-old, Lindisfarne Danseur (Boots) with Rosanne Rix was the established horse for this session.

By Donnerubin, Boots had a successful first dressage season, culminating in winning the Open Level 1 Horse of the Year Title and the Prestige Equestrian Futures Prize. Although more experienced “he still has his wobbly moments and straightness is always a work in progress so working on these exercises was really helpful. It was yet another experience for him which I appreciated getting to participate in” said Rosanne.

Lisa Preston and Whistledown Obsidian

Rosanne Rix and Lindisfarne Danseur

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 23

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

2.

Pip Gibbons and SWE Diament Stern

Paula Brown and Winslet

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USE THE TRAVERS AND RENVERS WORK TO CREATE THE PERFECT HALF PASS Affectionately known as “Supersam” or officially as SWE Diamant Stern the six-year year old (Decameron/SWE Roulette) ridden and owned by Pip Gibbons introduced this topic. This pair have been successful in Young Dressage Horse classes, warmblood/sport horse classes, NZ Show Horse classes and Level 1 and 2 Dressage at Regional and national level. Pip’s take home message “It is really important to maintain the quality of the pace in the lateral work - go for a 10 not a 7!”

Then it was the turn of the more experienced Whisper mare Winslet, an eight-year-old owned and ridden by Paula Brown. Winslet competed successfully last season at Level 3 and is now working Level 4 / 5. Paula’s daughter Tylah competed Winslet at the 2019 U25CH instilling fears this won’t be the last show that her horse is “stolen” by her daughter!

“Half pass is just travers on a diagonal line.” was Paula’s top take home tip.

Vanessa emphasised the importance of changing the horses tempo with in the half pass, "Most people bore their horses to death - keep them guessing!" To get more expression and quyality in your half pass ride transitions between the collected trot, passage and extension to keep the horse attentive and through their body.

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

3.

FLYING CHANGES AND PIROUETTES One of Vanessa's top secrets that she generously shared with ithe crowd was... if you are having problems with late flying changes, try teaching them from Renvers - as all young (green) horses tend to throw their shoulders out in the direction of the current canter hence why the dreaded late change behind occurs, as the shoulders block the new inside hind leg from jumping through! Renvers will keep weight in the new outside hind leg, the shoulders out of the way and allow for the new flexion as well.

Leia McEvoy’s Amon Ra was the green horse for this session. A seven-year-old Anamour gelding, Ra was purchased by Leia as an unbroken four-year-old when she returned from the UK 2 ½ years ago. Last season this pair won Level 3 Amateur Champion at North Islands and two Reserve Champions at premier league shows. Their aim is to compete Level 5 this season.

Leia reflects “My main masterclass tip from Vanessa for the flying changes - positioning, positioning, positioning”.

The established horse was Pete (Hapsburg PSH) owned and ridden by Liz Hutson. By His Highness, the elevenyear-old Hanoverian gelding by was bred by Phoenix Sport Horses and has been owned by Liz since he was three. Liz is 57 (going on 19 in her own words) has an adult family and is about to become a Granny for the first time in November. Last season the pair were North Island Level 7 Champion and 4th placed in the 2019 Level 7 Horse of the Year title. Liz hopes to try some Level 8 tests this year, if a couple of things fall into place – namely the one tempis!.

“I had to make sure I was looking in the direction I was wanting to go in the pirouettes, so it meant I was having to look over my shoulder. But at the same time I had to be careful not to bend the neck too much otherwise the shoulders of the horse cannot come around.

It was really helpful to start in a walk pirouette and feel the positioning, then directly transfer that to a canter pirouette so to not fatigue the horse too quickly.”

For the pirouettes Vanessa recommends to always train in working form so the horse can stay active in canter and the rider can have total control - eg we should be able to go big - small or fast or slow. It’s all about the ownership and quality of self carriage.

Liz Hutson and Hapsburg PSH

Leia McEvoy and Amon Ra

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 25

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

Jacqui Thompson and Georgio

4.

THE LOFTY HEIGHTS OF PIAFFE AND PASSAGE These two amazing movements are a mystery to most, so Vanessa wanted the crowd to “sit back, relax and watch these two talented riders dance with their horses.”

The less experienced combination was Georgio and Jacqui Thompson. Georgio is a thirteen old year-old Warmblood (Kinnordy Gym Bello) purchased by Jacqui as a newly broken in from his breeder Allie Harper in Southland. Although he was pretty sharp as a young horse he has developed into a consistent performer now competing at Level 8. More recent major achievements include the Amateur Level 6 Champion 2018 and ProAM Level 8 Champion 2019 at Bates Nationals.

After her session, she said “Vanessa has a top tip for everything to help us, but for piaffe it is “keep it travelling, especially while they are learning.”

The established horse was Aphrodite (Snickers) an eleven year old Anamour mare ridden by Palmerston 26 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

North’s Cooper Oborn. Snickers and Cooper have been a combination for just a year, competing at Level 8 with highlights including Reserve Champion Level 8 at Nationals and Horse of the Year Show plus the Zilco Level 8 Leaderboard.

“It was great to work on the piaffe and passage on Snickers in a bit of an atmosphere. My takeaway tip from this was that I need to work on keeping my hands low to allow Snickers to push her withers up, rather than me trying to pull her up.”

Vanessa says “Piaffe is all about reaction and lightness.

We train them with basically no leg just a click with our leg placed back. If they don’t activate in first step we teach them to move out of the movement sharply - however the rider must give the horse the full ability to react. Not getting left behind with hand or body. We teach the horse that the Piaffe must feel nice and be a comfortable position to be in - but they must remain motivated on their own.

At Carl’s we always taught the passage in rising trot as it is a push and to help the horses distinguish between the Piaffe/Passage transitions. All the riders (including myself wheh I was first made to do it) hate it - however it gives the horse freedom to swing in his back and the passage os always improved.”

VANESSA WAY MASTERCLASS

ABOUT VANESSA WAY Vanessa has trained with many of the world’s top dressage riders and trainers, including Michael Putz, Harry Boldt, Charlotte Dujardin and the iconic Carl Hester.

By her own admission, Vanessa says she “stalked” these trainers until they agreed to train her – her determination to train with the best and become the best allowed no other outcome! She returns annually to Hester’s barn to train and compete and pursue her own quest for knowledge. She is an NZ Elite HighPerformance Coach – a qualification offered

by High Performance Sport NZ. She coaches both dressage and eventing riders, having been involved in international eventing campaigns in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), the UK, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Kentucky World Games where team bronze was won.

Vanessa has proudly trained all of her own horses to international level.

Cooper Oborn and Aphrodite

Dressage Wellington is grateful to Vanessa for making the time to present the masterclass, and also a huge thanks to the demo riders, as it isn’t the easiest thing to put yourself in front of a crowd! It was great to see so many people attend, and as a result the group welcomed sixty new members.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 27

NATIONAL NEWS

Noeline Jefferies with Katie Jones & Land N Sei

WAIKATO COMBINED EQUESTRIAN GROUP Article by Michelle Paterson Photos by LJ Photography

Committed to the Waikato Equestrian Community

R

ain, hail or shine, riders keep turning up for winter dressage events at Pukete in the Waikato.

WCEG offers a welcoming culture and a wide variety of competitions for riders to enjoy whether it be to compete for a series prize or utilise the events for training for the new season. The main focus is grassroots to novice level, plus Para and special Olympics classes are included. As well as the winter series another two or three local dressage events are held throughout the year and monthly dressage practice days which attract approximately 50 tests per day. Other activities include a spring and autumn horse trial up to CCN2* where entry numbers range from 280 – 310 entries per event, a winter dressage series which this year boasted a record 1100

tests, plus a Showjumping/Showhunter series which had approximately 1300 jumping rounds over four months (May, June, July, August), plus monthly practice Showjumping days and a variety of clinics.

Waikato Combined Equestrian Group was formed in 1986, run by a Committee of volunteers as a not-forprofit organisation registered with the Charities Commission.

They have their own constitution and are a member organisation of Equestrian Sports New Zealand enabling them to run competitions under ESNZ rules. The group leases approximately 120 acres classed as a Farm Park from the Hamilton City Council and is designated under the Archaeological and Environment Protection. Full competition facilities

28 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

include a 65 x 125 sand arena, a separate 20 x 60 sand arena, 65 x 30 enclosed sand western arena, a full XC course with fences ranging from 65cm to 110cm, a full SJ course on grass plus equipment for two full SJ rings and a Showhunter ring.

THEIR AIMS & OBJECTIVES ARE: • To continue to develop and establish an equestrian facility for the community.

• To promote equestrian excellence.

• To provide services and facilities for a wide range of equestrian interests.

• To provide a place of learning where people can experience equestrian activities.

• To promote recognised equestrian interests within the region.

NATIONAL NEWS McKenna Bros Stables Junior Pony winners L to R Zoe Garland (Taurimu de Vince) Lauren Phillips, Rachael le Miere, Maiah Kitcheman

Murray Riches & Titan. Winners of Heather Taylor Memorial

WAIKATO EQUESTRIAN GROUP WINTER DRESSAGE SERIES RESULTS NEWCOMER CHAMPION Marion Lupis & Aratoro Lady

GREEN HORSE OPEN CHAMPION Murray Riches & Titian

WEC MEMBER PONY CHAMPION Hannah Kitcheman & Docs Bellarena

AMATEUR CHAMPION Rachel Hall & Brahan Tickety Boo

OPEN CHAMPION Katie Jones & Land N Sei

HORSE MIXED BREED CHAMPION Rachel Hall & Brahan Tickety Boo

NOVICE CHAMPION Anne Hjorth & Our High Command

PARA & SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAMPION Rachel Hughes & HPH Benedict

PONY MIXED BREED CHAMPION Codie White & Kabo Inori

ELEMENTARY CHAMPION Vanessa Jepson & Court Magician

JUNIOR PONY CHAMPION Zoe Garland & Taurimu Da Vince

THOROUGHBRED HORSE CHAMPION Chris McKechnie & Creswick

MEDIUM CHAMPION Raewyn Greenhalgh & Donnerchole

INTERMEDIATE PONY CHAMPION Jade Davidson & Soleil

MARE HORSE CHAMPION Rachel Hall & Brahan Tickety Boo

ADVANCED CHAMPION Caitlin Spellman & Annie Oakley

OPEN PONY/YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Charlotte Risi & Milika

MARE PONY CHAMPION Codie White & Kabo Inori

MASTERS CHAMPION Chris McKechnie & Creswick

OPEN SENIOR PONY CHAMPION Codie White & Kabo Inori

GREEN HORSE CHAMPION Wendy Morrison & Ratamill Atlantic

WEC MEMBER HORSE CHAMPION Katie Jones & Land N Sei

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JUDGES NEWS

Barbara Chalmers & Kim Thomas (AUS) with Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin

HARTPURY AND A WORLD CLASS INTERNATIONAL JUDGES CLINIC Article by Barbara Chalmers

Thirty judges from England, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Czech Republic, https://libbylawphotography.photoshelter.com China, Chile, Japan and the Philippines gathered at Hartpury College in the UK for three intensive days of learning at the 2019 International Dressage Officials Club (IDOC) FEI Re-fresher Clinic and Regional Forum 30 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

JUDGES NEWS The Judges Clinic Tent at A during Hartpury

A

side from the hugely beneficial ongoing development for FEI judges, the IDOC (International Dressage Officials Club) clinic also presented a world class opportunity for national Grand Prix judges to experience real international hands on judging in a workshop situation participating in an international clinic at an international show, which would otherwise not be possible.

Hartpury provided the perfect venue with the participants able to stay on site in the student accommodation, handy for early starts and late finishes, and networking over meals in the university’s many cafeterias. The hosts many sport academies, and the equine facilities are world class including two indoor arenas, outdoor arenas and warm up areas, water treadmills and a therapy centre, cross-country courses, plus stabling for 230 horses.

The key presenters were FEI 5* judges Susie Hoovenaars (AUS) and Isobel Wessels (GBR). The clinic ran over three days, combining classroom theory, lots of practical judging with headphones, and taking turns to judge and comment on the microphone.

Both Susie and Isobel showed amazing sheer energy levels and ability to focus and educate the group.

Early mornings saw us in the classroom for theory sessions, then off to a dedicated tent at the A end of the main arena to do our judging.

This was quite nerve wracking as nothing escaped our two mentors, who were keen for us to be the best we could be.

KEY MESSAGES • Ensure your comments are positive; the mark is the mark, but judges need to be encouraging. e.g. in the collective remarks where a rider had problems with the sequence changes “a pity about the tempis today but showing some…”

• Two points difference between judges is considered too much on a movement.

• Never be afraid to be different as long as you have a reason and be honest.

• The UK also has a 'difference form' to be completed if there are differences between judges of more than 7% within a class, outlining reasons and facilitating understanding of why there were differences – this is a positive thing “otherwise we may as well just all sit at C and be in a huddle” Isobel emphasised.

• It is never negative to discuss things • Don’t try to be in line with everyone else as you will never get there

• The judge at C makes ONE statement on behalf of the group – not individual responses • Even if you disagree, you have to conform with the judge at C (this is actually in the rule book).

• Be honest and pleasant when discussing their marks with riders/ coaches afterwards – they haven’t been watching every horse, every movement, from your position.

• Be confident to use both ends of the scale.

• Never discuss differences in public with your judging colleagues – show support and do this in private.

• You cannot blame the writer for anything it is the judge’s responsibility.

ON JUDGE FITNESS The brain is a muscle – stay fit, it’s not just the riders who need to be fit. When sitting for a long-time hydration is important, watch the coffee or sugar hits. Judges have to complete a number of tasks simultaneously. According to experienced AUS 5 * judge Mary Seefried, judges have six tapes running together 1. One observing the test pattern, exact beginning and end of each movement 2. One monitoring the basics and criteria and evaluates the result 3. One assigns a word and a number 4. One determines how to formulate what is being dictated to the writer (helpful comment) 5. One monitors the “extras” (ie the writer keeping up, is the rider’s equipment correct, is there a loose horse outside the arena etc) 6. One measures the issue that will affect the collective mark so the judge will know what to award and the relevant comment The judge must train themselves until the process becomes automatic.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 31

JUDGES NEWS ASSOCIATE WITH THE TRAINING SCALE Isobel gave a beautifully clear talk on the Training Scale and its importance at the start of the clinic. If the first three points on the training scale are in place, then energy has a route which the rider can then take back or more forward.

The rider knows how much they can ask; it is not always possible to ask for more (if tense or not quite balanced), so be careful with your comments as too much impulsion does not help and the horse will become more tense and /or too fast.

Carl Hester & Hawtins Deilcato at Hartpury Photo: Kevin Sparrow

ON REGULARITY AND WELFARE If a horse is definitely irregular, or you feel that the horse cannot cope mentally or physically with the tasks, you have to ring the bell.

ON THE MOVEMENTS & WAY OF GOING • Distinguish what is natural versus man-made, e.g. a passagey trot. A slowed-down trot is not passage at the higher levels. There are 10 marks for the canter to trot transition in the GP, this comes into straightness.

• Only a straight horse can be ridden correctly in leg-yield.

• In the Prix St Georges it is not counter canter after the half pass then change; if they do this (rather than straighten, change) then deduct 1 mark.

• In canter pirouettes the horse must not leg-yield in or flex the other way (the rider is not able to control the horse unless in correct flexion, and this affects the turning and pirouette; riders sometimes flex to the outside as they can’t keep the outside hindleg engaged in the pirouette).

• Watch at the lower levels in particular that the horse is not going quite quickly to conceal the lack of collection.

• When the neck gets a bit short this affects the cadence, contact problems affect the rhythm.

• Be guarded with comments, e.g. on one horse instead of “behind the leg” it was better to say, “tilted in neck, unable to come forward”.

• Watch the test e.g. that the movement goes through the short side after the extended trot. Comment as the movement happens then when you get to the end, the mark is there. Don’t worry about ranking – the horse will do that for you.

ON THE PIAFFE In Piaffe, start counting when the legs start moving (sometimes the riders count when they start giving the aid and can get confused with the number of steps produced); if they take the risk and ask for the full number of steps (12-15) reward them.

If they only do 50% of the steps it’s a 5 or below, deduct 1-2 points if not accurate or if they only do 70-80% of the steps, if they are really advancing it’s a 3 or below, if they do passage on the spot instead of piaffe this is cheating and only a 6-7 (and if the transition is from this rather than a true piaffe then the transition mark has to be the same as the question here is for the horse to go forward from the closing). At Grand Prix level 8 steps

32 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

piaffe is not enough and less than 8 steps would get a mark below 5.

Watch – if the Piaffe is creeping then often the transitions creep too and shorten the distance the horse should show in the passage.

JUDGES ARE NOT POLICEMEN • Judges are “quality controllers, not policemen”. Be honestly kind.

• If there are lows of 1 or 2, you can’t have a rider mark more than 7. Do not use the word “tension” unless you really see it, often it’s concentration or the horse offering more, or too much.

• Better to say very disobedient rather than resistance. Ignore the tail – an active tail is often seen in mares who are a bit sensitive, ears are a better indication.

• Better to use “carriage” as a comment rather than self-carriage – it’s quicker.

• “Better rhythm behind” is better than saying long/short and trying to say which hind leg.

• Better to say “deep” rather than poll higher if you need to be quicker.

• Be aware of the direction of our

JUDGES NEWS

2.

1.

sport. Mark up because of, rather than down in spite of.

• Don’t stick on low marks after a horse reacts to something, be fair to the end mark.

• Don’t overmark those who avoid the risk and point of the exercise, reward those who do.

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HORSE Riders need to work the horse in a way to develop the muscles of the horse - especially the back (the bridge), teach the horse reaction and adjustability, and the horse must accept being “closed” otherwise they will never get to Grand Prix. We want truly supple horses with real impulsion (carrying hindlegs).

OBSERVATIONS I watched the warmup ring as much as possible, and the lasting impression was the high standard of horsepower and riding; how calm everything was; little sign of rider tension or nerves, and a lot of support teams in action.

There were some really talented and effective riders, especially Gareth Hughes, Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Laura Tomlinson (nee

1. L to R Kerrie Swan-Bates, Kim Thomas (AUS), Betty Brown (NZL) Jane Ventura (AUS) Barabra Chalmers (NZL)

Bechtolsheimer), and Lara Butler to mention a few, plus some talented young riders training with them. It was interesting to see the top guns riding, then coming back to watch and support other riders. These riders have serious core strength and barely move in the saddle, with very subtle aids.

A big thank you must go Maria Schwennesen (AUS) from all participants for all her organisational work from home in Australia to make it all happen.

NZL JUDGES AT HARTPURY Clinic: Linda Warren-Davey, Betty Brown, Mura Love, Judith Cunningham, Barbara Chalmers, Gill Morley, Carol Eivers New Zealand FEI 4* Judges Sue Hobson and Helen Hughes-Keen officiated at the event A REAL TREAT TO FINISH On Monday morning we visited Carl Hester¹s yard, and what a treat. I didn’t put anything up on FB for some time as it felt almost sacrilegious, and I couldn’t begin to do justice to what we experienced there. Carl gave us a tour, including Valegro and Utopia’s new stables, and the best talk ever on wide variety of subjects, from working

2. The IDOC clinic participants at Carl Hester's yard

horses, what they look for in young horses, prices, how they live, how he keeps the inspiration and motivation to keep competing. Charlotte worked her exciting five-year-old and then gave us a display on Valegro, who is enjoying the dream retirement. He was very happy to perform, lap up the attention and pose for pictures before going off on a hack with one of the young ones. Carl showed us some of the up and coming horses and talked honestly about Nip Tuck and Valegro, how they have different abilities and therefore were aimed at different classes (Valegro won 4, 5 and 6 year old Young Horse Classes, but Nip Tuck concentrated on work towards Grand Prix) It was interesting to hear too how they trained the different types of horses. Their routine has been well published, but to remind us, it is dressage Monday and Tuesday, hack or fitness Wednesday and schooling again Thursday and Friday. Sundays all the horses have a day off. We met top groom Alan Davies, and I got some tips from him too.

A big thank you to Isobel for having the connection with Carl and Charlotte to make this visit possible. I came away truly humbled and inspired.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 33

OUR PEOPLE

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

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH SUE COLE Sponsored by AllinFlex

D

ressage Taranaki President, Margo Verveer nominated Sue on behalf of the group for her outstanding contribution to the region. Sue had been named as the Volunteer of Year at Taranaki awards dinner and it was agreed that she would be a worthy recipient of a national prize as well. Margo reports that Sue faithfully and faultlessly sets up the arenas for every tournament. Above and beyond, she rescued the 2019 Taranaki Premier League by recruiting and leading a team of Pony Club volunteers to fill the holes in the grass surface by hand!

Sue also has twenty-eight-year long history of volunteering for Carlyle Pony Club, organizing, instructing, getting gear out and putting it away, encouraging children and their parents to get involved in the movement, and organizing popular summer camps. Her property is currently now the home for Patea Pony Club rallies.

Despite being a town kid, Sue managed

34 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

to borrow a pony, attend a riding school and finally got her first horse when she was at high school. She competed to Level 5 last season, trains with Vanessa Way in Hawera, and of course she puts the arena up for everyone to use first!

When not competing herself, Sue can be found supporting her daughter Anna in her riding activities. She can also be found spending time in other types of paddocks, supporting her son’s motocross sport, and also enjoys a spot of waterskiing on Lake Rotorangi in her free time.

Sue is the recipient of this month’s AllinFlex Volunteer prize. Check out their range of products at www.allinflex.co.nz

OUR PEOPLE

OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH SUE HARRIS Sponsored by AR Dressage

S

ue is the President, Area Judges Officer, most senior judge, friend and guru of all things Dressage in the area where the sun rises first.

She is recognised as being incredibly hard-working, and a knowledgeable and fair judge.

As well as contributing a huge amount of time fostering Dressage Gisborne, Sue also judges in many other areas around the country – often at the expense of having time to compete her own horse. She organises clinics for the group, ensures they are kept up to date with all things from Dressage NZ, and always has time to lend an ear and offer advice.

Sue has been volunteering for over thirty years in equestrian sport. Her wider involvement has included involvement with local A & P as a steward and committee member, and taking responsibility for the dressage section at the show.

Dressage Gisborne is one of the smaller and most geographically isolated groups in the country, and it is largely thanks to Sue that that the area is able to offer graded shows almost every month as well

as a two-day championship show each season. She ensures standards are upheld and experienced judges are invited. It is important to her that local Judges are meeting their accreditation requirements and knows the importance of keeping them all working together as a team. Last season she mentored two new local judges and was a big part of getting the iconic Shirley Hyland back on the judging list again.

Sue’s riding background began a little differently to what we may have anticipated for someone from this area. It wasn’t the usual beginning at Pony Club as a child, but when she was twenty and her family purchased some land. Initially hunting was her riding sport for a number of years before children, and then mainly showing which bought her many successes.

Now, luckily for our sport, dressage has become her passion.

“Starting quite late meant having to learn a lot - not having ridden as a child, and so I am still learning! I have regular lessons with Rachel Bird, which I really enjoy and look forward to, but (my own) competition has

become more difficult to enjoy with the weight of running events” Sue and husband Chris live fortyfive kilometres from Gisborne on a sheep and cattle farm which only has one flattish area, the rest is medium to steep hills. Their three daughters, Kate, Sarah and Anna all live locally and Sue enjoys four very young grandchildren, aged between two and a half years and two months. This means Sue is often chief child minder as well “but I do find time to get to the gym occasionally”.

It is evident Sue is not happy being idle. She keeps busy and has very little spare time, but one thing she really does enjoy is meeting up with fellow judges at Dressage events.

Sue is the recipient of this month’s AR Dressage Official’s prize. For further information on AR Dressage contact Andrea at tetch@xtra.co.nz

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 35

NATIONAL NEWS

RESULTS

DRESSAGE NELSON WINTER SERIES Article by Suzanne Inglis

The Pitt and Moore Lawyers Nelson Winter Series, supported by Saddlery Warehouse Nelson and Dunstan Horsefeeds comprised four events with the grand finale at the end July. It was tightly contested series with riders battling it out for a series win at the closing event

T

here was something for everyone from Lead Rein to Grand Prix, and in the final round it all come down to a very special conclusion with a mother and daughter combination taking out the Graded and Non-Graded overall championship awards.

Vanessa Baxter on her elegant six-year-old chestnut mare, Jazzaway (GT Jake), won the graded level three, while her ten year old daughter Charlotte, competing in her first series, battled to the end to come out on top winning the Intro pony champion.

The Pitt and Moore series was again popular, with numbers continuing to increase each year attracting riders from Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast. Non graded and pony classes were also well supported, with numbers consistent throughout the series, Dressage Nelson is a small but hard-working group, priding themselves on encouraging riders of all levels to come and try their hand at the wonderful discipline that is dressage, and in turn we are rewarded each month with a lot of happy smiling riders eager for the next event.

36 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

Lead Rein Champion Joshua Duncan & Gina Reserve Maddie Doherty & Meg L1 Non Graded Pony Champion Holly Southward & Hollybank Pico Reserve Hannah Brazendale & Gypsy Dancing Queen L1 Non Graded Horse Champion Amy Hardcastle & Gem Reserve Elora Hallett & Nachttanzer WR L2 Non Graded Horse Champion Clare Burr & Thornton Hough Rebel Reserve Heloise Hildreth & Frostee Boy Introductory Pony Champion Charlotte Baxter & Edencourt Sheer Delight Reserve Sophie Vercoe & Aintree Marseille Introductory Horse Champion Fleur Howard & Estrella del Cosmos Reserve Irene Keeley & Aramis Ice L1 Open Champion Tara Thomas & Arjuna Reserve Annie Baird & Aorangi Alida L2 Open Champion Corena Rhodes-Gillespie & Glenrose Hannah Reserve Jenny Laycock & Windrush Pinot Gris L3 Open Champion Vanessa Baxter & Jazzaway L6 Open Champion (Equal) Jan Morice & Denmark Penny Rieter & Jive Thyme Non-Graded Champion Charlotte Baxter & Edencourt Sheer Delight Graded Champion Vanessa Baxter & Jazzaway Young Rider Non-Graded Champion Annie Baird & Aorangi Alida Young Rider Graded Champion Heloise Hildreth & Frostee Boy

NATIONAL NEWS

DRESSAGE NELSON - FOUNDERS OF EMERGENCY FUND Story by Helen Bowler

From time to time some very special stories are discovered from within the dressage community.

They are not always about dressage but about one of the factors that unites us all – the love of our horses.

W

e awoke to the news that a fire had broken out on a hillside approx 10km from Richmond. It was an extremely hot and dry January with temperatures in the 30’s. I had a gut feeling it wasn’t going to end well... it was just so dry and the wind was picking up.

My first thought was to ensure my own horses were safe. The sky was burnt orange as hot pine needles dropped on our tinder dry paddocks.

We evacuated our horses but they were lucky to be able to return home within the next day or two. Others were not so lucky.

The fire continued to burn away from Richmond towards the Wakefield hills for the next fifteen days destroying thousands of acres of forestry. None of us slept properly during that time and I had my float and truck hooked up ready to leave at any time.

Evacuated horses were being housed at the Racecourse about 5mins from home, and during a visit to see if we could help, I came across others I knew both from the dressage group and the local equestrian

community. We were on the back of a drought; grass was very scarce and I could see that that horse feed was going to be critical item.

Our local group formed a subcommittee of myself, Vanessa Roberts, and Corena RhodesGillespie who got the fundraising rolling and it just grew. Other dressage groups donated to the cause with the full support of Dressage NZ. By the end of the week we had just over six thousand dollars in the kitty and decided that would be sufficient.

We were to say the least completely overwhelmed by the generosity of not only Dressage groups but individuals, pony clubs, riding clubs, equestrian groups and businesses from all over New Zealand!

AllinFlex immediately started a Tee Shirt campaign with the Dressage NZ logo which said 'Stronger Together' (it still makes me cry when I look at mine); it was incredible.

We purchased feed vouchers from local feed suppliers, their generosity also extended to discounting the feed where they could and distributed these vouchers in person where

possible. It was very emotional for us to deliver them and we often all shed tears when we met with the affected landowners. It was so special to be able to give these vouchers to those affected by the fires and to those who took in extra horses to their already drought-stricken properties.

We have been so lucky to have had such a fantastic response from the NZ equestrian community, not only did they rise to the occasion monetary wise but the encouragement was truly heart-warming, wishing us to stay safe, keep strong, both written in the reference of the funds deposited.

Our thanks to everyone has been extended but it can never be said enough. Forever Thank You. We have deposited the left-over funds of $2126.80 with Dressage NZ to be custodians of, so if ever another emergency arises and funds are needed anywhere around the country, Dressage has a good start to help those who may need it.

This is what we did, it felt good to do something, it was very humbly received and it sincerely helped everyone.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 37

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

WHICH EVENTS AND SERIES ARE FOR YOU THIS SEASON? EQUESTRIAN ENTRIES NZ U25 NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS January 25 - 27 2020 - TAUPO National Equestrian Centre (NCH /RE) ESNZ National Titles (NCH) Hyland Pony Championship (Pony FEI tests – Medium level) the Waldebago Trophy for Young Rider Championship (Young Rider FEI tests – Prix St Georges level), and the KH Arvan Trophy for the U25 Grand Prix. All other grades and/or age group competitions will be designated Premier League (RE) status and will include event championship titles. The York Corporation Inter-Island Team Challenge will also be held. No prior qualification required.

There are plans to host a Pony & Young Rider educational forum on Monday 27th January (Details TBC) Entries only on www.equestrianentries.co.nz

FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CHALLENGE 2020 The date and venue for the 2020 FEI Dressage World Challenge will be confirmed during 2020 and will not be held prior to 1st August 2020.

SERIES For more information about series go to: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/dressage-series-classes/

For information about Rider Categories refer to ART DR Art 462.5 https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/rules-regulations/dressage-rules/

ZILCO MUSICAL FREESTYLE SERIES The crowd pleasing Zilco Musical Freestyle Series will be a feature again this season from Novice through to Grand Prix. Refer to the 2019 Test Book for the new Freestyle Tests from Novice (L2) through to Advanced(L6). Small tour (L7) uses the FEI Int I Freestyle. Go to the FEI web site for guidelines for these tests. https://inside.fei.org/system/files/FEI%20Freestyle%20Directives%20for%20Judges_final-19.04.2017.pdf

The competition comprises two Island Series contested at Premier League Events (Top 5 scores to count). The North Island Series completes at the Horse of the Year Show and the South Island Series completes at the South Island Festival of Dressage. Points table managed directly by Dressage NZ

SUPER 5 DRESSAGE LEAGUE The 2019-20 Super 5 League comprises a points series in each island from Preliminary Grand Prix 9 (top 5 points only to count) plus an island final at both the South Island Festival of Dressage and the Bates National Championships. National Super 5 rankings will be determined from % in each level at both these events.

Tests used for Super 5 League at Premier League Events: Preliminary to Advanced B Tests; Small Tour – FEI Int I; Medium Tour FEI Intermediate B; Big Tour Grand Prix or Grand Prix Special. For more information re qualifications go to Points tables managed directly by Dressage NZ

38 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER BATES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & TRAINING FORUM 26 -29 March 2020, Taupo National Equestrian Centre

The Bates National Championships are being held after the Horse of the Year Show in 2020 in order not to clash with the FEI Dressage Forum and Willinga Park CDI 4*(near Sydney) in mid-February The event will include a CDI3*, CDIY, CDI P, Young Horses, Bates National Open Championships from levels Preliminary to Grand Prix, National Amateur Championships from Preliminary to Advanced Medium. New for 2020, Open Pony Classes will be offered at Elementary & Medium in addition to the CDIP Foreign International Judges confirmed are Henning Lehrmann (5*GER) Maria Schwennesen (5*AUS) Sandy Hotz (4* USA) and Ricky McMillan (4*AUS). A Training Forum for Riders, Judges & Fans will be held on Sunday with Sandy Hotz.

NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE BATES NATIONALS

Amateur Championships from Preliminary to Advanced Medium will be held as separate classes.

Eligibility is based onrider categories and horse grades. Qualification for the AMCH. The term Amateur is defined by rider category status. Amateur Riders are C5 and below (ie - not more than 15pts in level 6 or above) DR Art 462.5 Eligibility NCH 2020: (Graded competitions only) From 1 Jan 2019 – Date of close of Entries If excessive entries are received, wait lists and balloting will be implemented Open & Amateur

MES

Preliminary & Novice

63%

Elementary - ADV

60%

Elementary & Medium Ponies

60%

CDIP (Medium Level)

60%

CDIY & Small Tour (PSG /Int I)

57%

Medium Tour (INT A/B) & GP

57%

Event Classification

Premier League, ICH, U25CH, NCH or HOY

Young Dressage Horse Classes No prior qualification. Proof of age of horse must be supplied with entry. ESNZ ID papers will be accepted but must be signed by a veterinarian

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 2020 (DRESSAGE SECTION) Title Classes Eligibility HOY 2020: (Graded competitions only) From 1 Sept 2019 – 16 Feb 2020 LEVEL

MES

EVENT CLASSIFICATION

Preliminary Horse

64%

Premier League Preliminary or Zilco Novice

Novice Horse

64%

Premier League Zilco Novice

Elementary Horse

64%

Premier League Zilco Elementary

Medium Horse

64%

Premier League Zilco Medium

Advanced Medium Horse

60%

Premier League Zilco Advanced Medium

Advanced Horse

60%

Premier League Advanced

FEI Small Tour Horse

60%

Premier League Int 1

FEI Intermediate Horse

58%

Premier League Int A, Int B or Int II

FEI Grand Prix (FEI 3* / Nat)

58%

Premier League GP or GPS

CDI Y (FEI Young Rider)

60%

Premier League: PSG or Int I

Title & Non-Title Pony Classes Eligibility Preliminary Pony

60%

Any Preliminary graded competition

Novice Pony

60%

Any Novice graded competition

Elementary Pony

60%

Any Elementary graded competition

Pony of the Year FEI Pony Tests

60%

Any Medium graded competition

Non-title classes Horses Eligibility HOY 2020 Preliminary Horse

64%

Premier League

Novice Horse

64%

Premier League Novice or Zilco Novice

Elementary Horse

64%

Premier League Elementary or Zilco Elementary

Young Dressage Horse Classes No prior qualification. Proof of age of horse must be supplied with entry. ESNZ ID papers will be accepted but must be signed by a veterinarian

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 39

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER PRESTIGE EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE FUTURES PRIZE

The Prestige Equestrian Futures Prize will be awarded to the best performed combination competing at KiwiArena Rakes Premier League Events from 1 September 2019 - 16 February 2020 and meeting the following eligibility conditions.

Horses 148cm and over, 4 -10-year-old and competing at Levels 1 - 7 with riders who have no grading points in Level 8 or above on any horse. The prize is a fabulous Prestige Saddle.

(Riders may only win the saddle prize once) Enter online at Equestrian Entries by 1/12/19

Enter online at Equestrian Entries by 1/12/19

EXCITING NEW AMS SADDLERY PONY PERFORMANCE LEAGUE & AMS SADDLERY YOUNG RIDER PERFORMANCE LEAGUE

There will be separate AMS Saddlery Leagues for Pony Riders and Young Riders this season with more opportunities to earn League points. Points will be earned from graded classes at KiwiArena Rakes Premier League events.

The Pony League is for riders 16yrs or under at 1 August, but if a rider turns 17 on or after 1 August, they may continue to compete in the Pony League. The Young Rider League is for riders 20yrs or under at 1 August but if a rider turns 21 on or after 1 August, they may continue to compete in the League.

The AMS Saddlery Pony & Young Rider Performance Leagues aim to increase participation at a Pony & Young Rider level and to establish a culture where these riders compete against their peers of a similar age and experience.

TOP TEN LEAGUES All Top Ten Leagues accrue points from 1/8/19 - 30/4/20

Riders love the Top Ten Leagues for a number of reasons but the biggest draw card is that they can simply enter online with no fee attached and then can see how their performances are stacking up against other riders in the same league and category from throughout New Zealand. And then of course there is the chance to win stylish sponsor rosettes at area level and fabulous sashes and rugs at national level.

So get across to Equestrian Entries and choose the series that are just RIGHT for you and horse or pony. Chances are there is more than one. Conditions for each of the leagues are on both Equestrian Entries and the ESNZ website www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/dressage-series-classes/ Entries for all Top Ten Leagues close on 1/12/19

THE STERLING WARMBLOODS SMALL STARS TOP TEN LEAGUE

For horses over 148cm and not exceeding 163cm (verified by RAS height certificate by 1/12/19) Riders must turn at least 12yrs in the calendar year of the beginning of the competition.

Points accrue from 1 August 2019 until 30 April 2020, in three divisions. Bronze (Levels 1 & 2) Silver (Levels 3 & 4) Gold (Level 5 & above)

QUIN BUILDINGS DIRECT MASTERS TOP TEN LEAGUE Riders at least 50yrs as at 1/1/19 Pewter (Area and National) For CN – C2 Riders on horses (or ponies) competing at Preliminary and above Bronze (Area and National) For C3 & C4 Riders on horses (or ponies) on competing Novice and above Silver Area and National) For C3 & C4 Riders on horses (or ponies) competing at Elementary and above Gold (Area and National) For C5 - C9 Riders on horses (or ponies) competing at Preliminary, Novice and Elementary Platinum (Area and National) For C5 - C9 Riders on horses (or ponies) competing at Medium and above EQUISSAGE AMATEUR TOP TEN LEAGUE

The competition is open to riders 21yrs and over at 1/8/19 and over and is run in four National divisions plus special awards, with twenty area winners.

Bronze Area & National Level 1 Riders CN - C3 at 1/8/2019 Silver Area & National Level 2 Riders CN - C4 at 1/8/2019 Gold Area & National Level 3 Riders CN - C5 at 1/8/2019 Platinum Area & National

Level 4 Riders CN - C5 at 1/8/2019 Newcomer (First year member) Rider no grading points in Dressage prior to 1/4/2019 Island Hi-Points Award Highest Score in each Island Amateur Owner Horse with zero grading points at date of purchase by current owner and may not have earned any grading points with any other rider at any time.

EQUIZEE PONY & YOUNG RIDER AMATEUR TOP TEN LEAGUE

Ponies: Riders 16yrs and under at 1/8/19 Pony Bronze: Level 1 ponies Riders CN – C3 at 1/8/2019 Pony Silver: Level 2 ponies

Riders CN – C4 at 1/8/2019 Pony Gold: Level 3 & 4 ponies Riders CN – C5 at 1/8/2019 Horses: Riders must turn at least 12yrs during 2019, and be 20yrs or under at 1/8/19 Horse Bronze: Level 1 horses.

Riders CN – C3 at 1/8/2019 Horse Silver: Level 2 horses.

Riders CN – C4 at 1/8/2019 Horse Gold: Level 3 & 4 horses.

Riders CN – C5 at 1/8/2019 Top Score Rider North Island 12yrs & under at 1/8/19 Top Score Rider South Island 12yrs & under at 1/8/19 Newcomer ESNZ graded Dressage rider. Must have never earned any dressage grading points on any horse or pony prior to 1/4/18

40 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

PREMIER LEAGUE CALENDAR 19/20 SEPTEMBER 2019 14/15

Central Districts

Manfeild Park (Feilding)

28/29

South Canterbury / North Otago

Waimate SG

OCTOBER 2019 26/27

Marlborough

Marlborough Equestrian Park

26/28

Bay of Plenty

Taupo NEC

NOVEMBER 2019 2/3

Nelson

Rough Island

9/10

Wellington

Solway SG (Masterton)

9/10

Otago

Taieri SG (Mosgiel)

15/17

Auckland-Manukau

Clevedon SG

16/17

Ashburton

Ashburton SG

16/17

Gisborne

Gisborne SG

23/24

Northern Hawkes Bay

Hastings SG

30/1

Canterbury

McLeans Is NEC (Christchurch)

30/1

Southern Hawkes Bay

Dannevirke SG

DECEMBER 2019 6/8

Southland

Gore SG

7/8

Waitemata

Woodhill Sands

13/15

Northland

Barge Park (Whangaerei)

14/15

Taihape

Taihape SG

JANUARY 2019 11/12

Taranaki

Egmont SG (Hawera)

18/19

Wairarapa

Solway SG (Masterton)

25/27

U25 National Championships

Taupo NEC

FEBRUARY 2020 7/9

South Island Championships

Gore SG

14/16

Waikato

Taupo NEC

MARCH 2020 10/15

Horse of the Year Show (CDI 3*/Y)

26/29

Hastings SG

Bates NZ Dressage Championships (NCH – CDI 3*/Y) Taupo NEC

TBC

NI and SI Festival of Future Stars

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 41

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

WHAT’S ON SEPTEMBER 2019 | SOUTH ISLAND 1

Canterbury DG

McLeans Island

Local

14/15

Nelson DG

Nelson Dressage Eye Opener Tournament

Local

15

Ashburton DG

Ashburton Dressage Group

Training

15

North Loburn EC

NLEC Day one spring series

Local

21/22

Marlborough DG

Marlborough Dressage Summer Series # 1& 2

Local

28/29

Sth Cant/Nth Otago DG

SCNO Dressage Spring Show

Premier League

29

Northern Equestrian Group

NEG Spring Series

Training

OCTOBER 2019 | SOUTH ISLAND 5/6

Central Otago DG

Spring Tournament @Cromwell

Local

6

Canterbury DG

McLeans Island

Local

12/13

Otago DG

Taieri SG

Local

13

Ashburton DG

Ashburton Dressage Group

Training

19/20

North Loburn EC

NLEC Two Day tournament

Local

26/27

Marlborough DG

Marlborough Championships

Premier League

27

Northern Equestrian Group

NEG Spring Series Day 2

Training

NOVEMBER 2019 | SOUTH ISLAND 2/3

Southland DG

Dressage Southland Spring

Local

3

Canterbury DG

McLeans Island

Local

3/4

Nelson DG

Nelson Qualifier

Premier League

9/10

Otago DG

Otago Championship Show

Premier League

16/17

Ashburton DG

Ashburton Qualifier

Premier League

17

North Loburn EC

NLEC Day 3 Spring Series

Local

24

Northern Equestrian Group

NEG Spring Series Day 3

Training

30/1

Canterbury DG

McLeans Island

Premier League

DECEMBER 2019 | SOUTH ISLAND 6/8

Southland DG

Dressage Southland Championships

Premier League

15

North Loburn EC

NLEC Christmas special

Training

22

Northern Equestrian Group

NEG December Day

Training

FOR MORE DETAILS OF EACH EVENT AND VENUE, AND CONTACT DETAILS GO TO www.nzequestrian.org.nz/dressage/competition/calendar DOWNLOAD YOUR DRESSAGE GOOGLE CALENDAR AT https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/show-dates-card-for-2018-2019/ 42 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

SEPTEMBER 2019 | NORTH ISLAND 1

Woodhill Sands

Show Hunter & Dressage Spring Festival #2

Local

1

Taupo DG

Ribbon Day

Training

1

Wairarapa

Spring Series #1

Local

1

Waikato Equestrian Centre

Spring Show

Local

8

Auckland-Manukau DG

Spring Accumulator Day #1

Local

14/15

Central Districts DG

Central Districts Championships

Premier League

15

Woodhill Sands

Show Hunter & Dressage Spring Festival #3

Local

15

Rotorua DG

Spring Spectacular Series Day #2

Local

22

Gisborne DG

Spring Tournament

Local

22

Horowhenua DG

Spring Tournament

Local

29

Bay of Islands DG

Kaikohe

Local

29

Wairarapa DG

Wairarapa Spring Series #2

Local

OCTOBER 2019 | NORTH ISLAND 6

Auckland-Manukau DG

Spring Accumulator Day #2

Local

6

Central Hawkes Bay

Spring Tournament

Local

6

Northland DG

Dargaville

Local

6

Taranaki DG

Taranaki Spring Fling

Local

13

Waitemata DG

Dressage Waitemata Spring Day 1

Local

13

Gisborne

Poverty Bay A&P Show - Dressage

Local

18/20

Equidays

Equidays at Mystery Creek

RE

23

Hastings

Dressage at HB A&P show

Local

26/28

Bay of Plenty DG

Championships

Premier League

27

Northland DG

Dargaville

Local

27

Warkworth DG

Training Day

Training

NOVEMBER 2019 | NORTH ISLAND 3

Waitemata DG

Dressage Waitemata Spring Day 2

Local

3

Morrinsville/Te Aroha DG

Summer Garland Series

Local

3

Taupo DG

Training Day

Training

9/10

Wellington DG

Championships

Premier League

10

Tauranga DG

Graded Show

Local

14

Waipukurau

CHB A&P Show

Local

15/17

Auckland-Manukau DG

Championships

Premier League

16/17

Gisborne DG

Championships

Premier League

17

Bay of Islands DG

Kaikohe

Local

17

Warkworth DG

Local Day

Local

21/24

Equitana NZ

Auckland Showgrounds

RE

23/24

Northern Hawkes Bay DG

Championships

Premier League

30/1

Southern Hawkes Bay DG

Championships

Premier League

SEPTEMBER 2019 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 43

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

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 Waitemata www.dressagewaitemata.co.nz Dressage Warkworth www.warkworthdressage.webs.com Dressage Auckland - Manukau www.amdg.org.nz Dressage Waikato new website coming soon!

Dressage Morrinsville -Te Aroha www.mtdg.co.nz Dressage Gisborne www.gisbornedressage.org.nz Dressage Bay of Plenty www.dressagebayofplenty.co.nz Dressage Eastern Bay of Plenty www.sportsground.co.nz/ebd Dressage Rotorua www.sporty.co.nz/dressagerotorua Dressage Tauranga www.dressagetauranga.co.nz Dressage Taupo www.sporty.co.nz/taupodressagegroup Dressage Northern Hawkes Bay www.sporty.co.nz/dressagenhb

44 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | SEPTEMBER 2019

Dressage Central Hawkes Bay www.sportsground.co.nz/chbdressage Dressage Southern Hawkes Bay www.sportsground.co.nz/shbdressage Dressage Central Districts www.sportsground.co.nz/dressagecentraldistricts Dressage Taranaki www.dressagetaranaki.co.nz Dressage Wellington www.dressagewellington.org.nz Dressage Horowhenua www.horowhenuadressage.com Dressage Wairarapa www.dressagewairarapa.com Dressage Nelson www.nelsondressage.webs.com Dressage Marlborough www.sporty.co.nz/marlboroughdressage Dressage Canterbury www.canterburydressage.co.nz Dressage Otago www.dressageotago.webs.com Dressage Southland www.dressage-southland.com National Equestrian Centres www.nzequestrian.org.nz Tielcey Park Equestrian Centre www.tielceypark.co.nz (Manawatu) Northern Equestrian Group www.freewebs.com/northerneq (North Canterbury) North Loburn Equestrian Centre www.nlec.co.nz (North Canterbury)