Dressage NZ Bulletin Issue 40 February 2020

Issue 40 | February 2020

The U25 Youth Championships

WE REMEMBER PAM, TINY & MARGARET

Premier League Championships

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS PART THREE

Nationals preview TRISTAN TUCKER MASTERCLASS

EDITORIAL

FROM THE EDITOR WELCOME TO ISSUE FORTY OF THE DRESSAGE NZ BULLETIN

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YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE HERE

elcome to the bumper February issue of the Bulletin. The sport has been a hive of activity over the summer months and this can be physically and mentally challenging for horses, riders, organizers, and volunteers, and with two huge events still on the timeline.

Just keep this in mind over the next few weeks.

I’ve been following some posts on social media which all just confirm that the sport means different things to different people. Some of the comments have been possibly been misinterpreted that riders are only after a ribbon. We all love ribbons, but the underlying theme seems to be that that riders want to compete against other similar level combinations as much as it’s possible.

We have riders with wide ranging abilities and goals but each and everyone of them should be able to find their niche. Not so many years ago when a horse was a horse, we created a system whereby riders of similar experience could compete against each other on more or less equal terms.

We called the riders with less experience Amateurs, using a tiered system aligned to the grade of the horse.

But is it time to move on? Riders now train and compete the equivalent of anything from a Toyota Corollla to a Ferrrari. Not everyone can drive a Ferrari …… Many riders in Amateur divisions could be very competitive Open Divisions. Is it possible to do some realigning so that it’s the performance of the current combination that determines the division within a grade that you compete in? There could be a few restrictions for the very experienced and well performed rider, but the concept could overcome the perceived issues when pony riders move to horses; horses & ponies competing at a lower level with a new rider could be easily catered for with simplified downgrading conditions….. perhaps the concept has possibilities to make bigger changes rather than just tinkering with what we have currently.

Happy pondering until March

sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz

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

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Graphic Design Sales & Advertising: Sarah Gray Email: sarah@snaffledesign.co.nz Copyright © Snaffle Design and Dressage NZ 2019 Cover Image: U25 Grand Prix Champion Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore Photo: Libby Law Photography

CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

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IN MEMORIUM

CELEBRATING YOUTH

MITAVITE NUTRITION

THE SECRET IS OUT

Dressage NZ remembers fondly three dressage stalwarts who passed recently ...

The Equestrian Entries U25 Dressage Championships went off with a bang ...

Hoof Health - Mitavite investigates this essential body part of the athlete ...

We chat with Elite Frozen Foals NZ on the successful 2019 breeding season ...

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NATIONAL NEWS

TAUPO'S NEW ARENA

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

OUR PEOPLE

There's been alot going on as we climb into the busy period of the season ...

A World class arena was completed in double-quick time at the NEC ...

The final part of a three part series, covering the intermediate and Grand Prix Horse ...

Christine Weal & Judy Alderdice are this months Official and Volunteer of the month ...

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IN MEMORIAM

DRESSAGE NEW ZEALAND REMEMBERS OUR NATIONAL LEGENDS Photos by Libby Law (Margaret's image supplied by Jorneaux family)

Horse of the Year Show 2018 L to R Felicity Dobell-Brown, Pam Gilmour & Chris Paston

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IN MEMORIAM Tiny presenting her 2019 Horse of the Year trophy for the first time. L to R Sue Hobson, Tiny White & Helen Hughes-Keen

It is with much sadness that we pay a heartfelt tribute to three wonderful horsewomen who were all instrumental in guiding the formation of our sport as riders, administrators and judges.

TINY WHITE – a top level competitor in

showing, dressage, eventing and jumping in New Zealand and Australia. Tiny was also national and international judge and clinician, Chair of Dressage NZ, and Patron of Equestrian Sports NZ. Tiny’s vast knowledge, experience, influence and leadership in dressage and equestrian sports will be long remembered. Tiny’s legacy lives on at Horse of the Year with the Tiny White trophy for the winner of the Grand Prix Horse of the Year title.

PAM GILMOUR – a very successful competitor in showing and dressage with close attention to every detail and immaculate turnout, Pam and her horses were a wonderful paradigm for our sport as it grew from its infancy in New Zealand.

She was much respected as a kind, fair and knowledgeable judge. In more recent years she retained a strong interest in her role as Patron of Dressage NZ. Her sharp eye for a good horse, for the correct way of going in the arena, her infectious smile and wonderful sense of humour will be well remembered by those who ever sat with her in the “dressage tent” at the horse of the Year Show. Pam’s legacy lives on through the Rigoletto Trophy for the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Horse of the Year Show, a horse so successfully competed by Tiny White.

Margaret Journeaux and Surrey (circa 1978)

Prize givings won't be the same without Pam, pictured here at the 2019 Horse of the Year Show

MARGARET JOURNEAUX - in 1978

Southland based Margaret Journeaux travelled to Australia with her beautiful chestnut mare Surrey competing at the Australian Dressage Championships and Sydney Royal coming back with many placings. This combination won the Burkner Medal for the NZ Dressage Championship in 1977 and 1980. Margaret was always very generous with her knowledge, sharing so much knowledge with innumerable young and aspiring riders and was strongly influential in the development of dressage in the South Island.

Dressage NZ shares the loss of these pioneers of our sport with their families and friends.

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 5

NATIONAL NEWS

GOOD VIBES A PLENTY AT DRESSAGE YOUTH FESTIVAL Article by Jess Roberts Photos by Š Libby Law

Changing the date back to January seemed to be popular attracting record entries for the event. It was rewarding to see so many younger participants enjoying two days of competition despite the sweltering Taupo temperatures.

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here was something for everyone including Lead Rein for 8 years & under, 12 years & under, non graded Juniors up to 18 years, Para Equestrian, Equitation and Grade Championship classes plus several team events.

For the first time a new ESNZ national trophy was awarded – the KH Arvan trophy donated by Pip Gibbons for the U25 Grand Prix.

Arvan won numerous national titles

in the hands of Vanessa Way and then with young rider Molly Lumb. Pip gave Arvan a wonderful retirement home and the trophy is in memory of his courage, character and spirit during his competition career.

New South Wales sent a very experienced team and the standard of borrowed horses so generously made available by Liz Hutson, Rosie Richards and Jenny Pearce was outstanding, resulting in an incredibly

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close Trans-Tasman Challenge contested at FEI Young Rider, Advanced and Advanced Medium levels. New Zealand first on 68 points and NSW second on 64 points.

NZL Team: Rebecca Williamson (Don Tobio) Tessa van Bruggen (Fiorenza) Lilly Jefferies (Lindisfarne Laureate).

NSW Team: Kaitlyn Martin (Don Douglas CFH) Georgia Davenport (Hapsburgh PSH) Kodi Trupper (True Steel).

NATIONAL NEWS

For the first time the York Corporation Inter Island Challenge trophy was contested by riders on their own horses and all credit to the South Island riders who made the most of the holiday break travelling first to Masterton and then on to Taupo. It was just reward for this huge effort, that for the second year running, the Trophy was won by the South Island team on 95 points edging out the North on 93 points.

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South Island Team: Emma Copplestone (Dinky Di Doff), Giselle Conway (Donatello MH), Lucy Cochrane (Gymanji), Charlotte Thomas (Te Puke).

North Island Team: Willa Aitken (Geneva Star), Sam Gradowski -Smith (Heritage Don Quilla), Brina Carpenter (Leo Donna) Caitlin Benzie (Libretto).

Wairarapa fielded the cutest team of Under 12’s Charlee Halewood (Arrandale Royal Salute), Sophie Frew (KS Touch and Go), Imogen Malcolm-Solly (RP Chatterbox), while Taranaki Yellow held their nerve on 106 points to squeeze out Waitemata on 105 points and the Auckland Diamonds on 97 points in the ESNZ Area Teams competition.

1. Team NSW & Team NZL 2. Georgia Gibbons & Castenea Xtreme 3. Aggie Shearer & Cardonald Zin Zan

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4. Iris Hut & Vollrath Lilac 5. Danielle Peck & KS Rose D Or Photos: Š Libby Law

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Out of respect to the copyright of our photographers any 'Screenshot' photos posted on Social Media that are taken from the Dressage NZ Bulletin will be directed to the photographer for invoicing.

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NATIONAL NEWS 1. Samuel Gradowski-Smith & Heritage Don Quilla 2. Georgia Davenport & Hapsburg PSH 3. South Island Team: Emma Copplestone, Giselle Conway, Lucy Cochrane & Charlotte Thomas 4. Amelia Malcolm-Solly & Coroview Kingston 5. Tannah Johnson & Minobie 6. Molly Lumb & Griffindor MH 7. Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore Photos: © Libby Law - please respect copyright

mare. This cross was deemed rather unfashionable at the time notes Liz, but luckily Nicolette trusted her own vision and the results now speak for themselves. Liz bought Pete greenbroken as a rising 4-year-old and bought him on: he’s now 11. Though they’ve taken many ribbons home along the way, Liz says “we’ve never won a National title yet, so this is our first one!”

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WALDEBAGO TROPHY GOES ACROSS THE TASMAN Australian team member Georgia Davenport took the National U25 Young Rider title back across the Tasman, reward for a superb competition on her borrowed mount Hapsburg PSH, owned by Upper Hutt’s Liz Hutson. After having only three rides to get to know each other, this combination pocketed a win and second for the NSW team, and scoring 67.09% in the Freestyle.

This is the second time Liz has offered her lovely His Highness gelding ‘Pete’ as a loan horse - two years ago loaning him to Aussie rider Alicia Ryan - Liz was full of praise for Georgia and her riding ability. “She rode beautifully, a super neat little rider and a lovely girl. I was able to help her with warming in and any little tips I gave she was able to carry out - she was very capable,” recounts Liz, who says loaning her horse is a win-win situation. “The thought that someone else who has only ridden my horse two or three times before can go in and score basically the same as what I do… it’s a testament to the horse’s temperament and trainability, and I feel it’s a huge confirmation of my training, which is really important to me because that’s where I get my buzz from with dressage.” Bred by Nicolette Rendle of Phoenix Sporthorses, Pete is by the Hanoverian stallion His Highness, out of an NZ thoroughbred 8 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

SHINING SEASON CONTINUES FOR SAM GRADOWSKI-SMITH

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Fifteen-year-old Sam GradowskiSmith continued his flying form this season by securing the Hyland Trophy for the FEI level Pony Championship. Aboard his striking chestnut mare Heritage Don Quilla, Sam won three of his four tests, with a notable win in the FEI-P Team test where he finished well in front of the field on 67.286. The pair were also members of the North Island and Waitemata Area teams. Sam is very proud of ‘Flirty’, who came to him as a late-started 6-year-old (she is now 11). “I love all the horse’s

NATIONAL NEWS

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“The synergy between horse and rider, and really good camaraderie between competitors at shows” is Sam’s answer asked what he enjoys most about his chosen sport. He acknowledges his very supportive family. He trains with Nicky Daulton and Vanessa Way, and does schoolwork via correspondence so he has time to fit everything in - he also has a part-time job where he is in training to be a chef!

LUCARNE DOLLEY AND ARDMORE: U25 FEI GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONS

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individual characters but she’s quite special to me because when I got her she had only just been broken in, and I’m proud that I’ve got her to FEI-P level,” he says.

West Auckland based Sam now also has the ride on Besonders, the experienced Dream Boy gelding owned and competed to Advanced

by Robyn Coupe. Sam jumped at the opportunity to learn and compete at the higher levels. The pair have been getting to know each other for two just months. Although it is still a big learning curve, Sam describes Besonders as ‘a real dude.’ They’ve enjoyed some good results including a third place in Advanced 6A on 64.4%. Unfortunately, this was their only test, their show being cut short when Besonders got a splinter in his eye - rubbing his head on a post and had to be sedated for the eye to be thoroughly checked by the vet.

Waikato-based Lucarne and her twelve-year-old Anamour gelding are beginning their second season together at Grand Prix level and while they were flying solo in the U25 FEI Grand Prix Championship, their title was undoubtedly wellearned. The pair posted two great scores, 68.205 for the Grand Prix,

and 69.133 in the Freestyle (the score from one of the three judges was a very encouraging +70%).

“Ardmore and I are still finding our way around the Grand Prix work,” says Lucarne. “However, we are starting to gain confidence with every test that we do - we’ve been at this level for less than a year so getting such positive feedback is very rewarding.”

Lucarne also rode her stunning 5-year-old gelding HPH Sir Wolkentanz to Reserve Preliminary Champion, the combination winning three of their four tests; no mean feat in a big class chockablock with beautifully bred horses.

Two of those tests were won with +77% scores “I couldn’t be more excited about his dressage career,” says Lucarne. “He is such a fun character to have around and he has a lot of personality!”

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NATIONAL NEWS

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1. Lucy Cochrane & Gymanji 2. Briar Herries & Valrosa Indian Summer 3. Rebecca Williamson & Don Tobio 4. Victoria Middleton & Lugano 5. Frankie Lawn & Kirkwood Greenlight 6. Lucarne Dolley & HPH Sir Wolkentanz Photos: © Libby Law

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Out of respect to the copyright of our photographers any 'Screenshot' photos posted on Social Media that are taken from the Dressage NZ Bulletin will be directed to the photographer for invoicing.

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NATIONAL NEWS

EQUESTRIAN ENTRIES DRESSAGE YOUTH FESTIVAL HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 1-4 Molly Lumb & Griffindor MH HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 5-9 Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore HYLAND TROPHY PONY CHAMPION Samuel Gradowski-Smith & Heritage Don Quilla WALDEBAGO TROPHY YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Georgia Davenport (Aus) & Hapsburg PSH KH ARVAN TROPHY U25 GRAND PRIX CHAMPION Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore FISSENDEN TROPHY MOST POINTS Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore YORK CORPORATION TROPHY - INTERISLAND TEAM CHAMPION South Island - Emma Copplestone, Giselle Conway, Lucy Cochrane, Charlotte Thomas NZL VS NSW TEAM CHAMPION NZL - Rebecca Williamson, Tessa Van Bruggen, Lily Jefferies LEAD REIN CHAMPION Briar Herries & Valrose Indian Summer RESERVE Kendall Hamilton & Rosedene Cover Girl NON GRADED 12 YEARS AND UNDER (EQUAL CHAMPIONS) Piper Hayton & Linden Talisman, Sophie Frew & KS Touch and Go RESERVE Charlie Stewart & Oscar Award NON GRADED JUNIOR Teagan McCaughey & Tempo' Magic RESERVE Natalia James & Zee Bee PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION Mindy Malone & Lugar RESERVE Danielle Peck & KS Rose D Or

NOVICE PONY CHAMPION Mikayla Wildermoth & Thumbellina II RESERVE Hannah Kitcheman & Calliste Knight ELEMENTARY PONY CHAMPION Samantha Belsham & Alpine Park Watercolour RESERVE Samantha Wells & Gangnam Style MEDIUM PONY CHAMPION Samuel Gradowski-Smith & Heritage Don Quilla PRELIMINARY OPEN CHAMPION Georgia Gibbons & Castenea Xtreme RESERVE Lucarne Dolley & HPH Sir Wolkentanz NOVICE OPEN CHAMPION Caitlin Benzie & GC Lucius RESERVE Rebecca Mobberley & Sayonara FE ELEMENTARY OPEN CHAMPION Molly Lumb & Griffindor MH RESERVE Charlotte Thomas & Te Puke MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION Lucy Cochrane & Gymanji RESERVE Caitlin Benzie & Libretto ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPION Rebecca Williamson & Don Tobio RESERVE Tessa van Bruggen & Fiorenza ADVANCED CHAMPION Brina Carpenter & Plutonium Lady RESERVE Nicole Sweney & Flute Noir SMALL TOUR CHAMPION Georgia Davenport (Aus) & Hapsburg PSH (Owner Liz Hutson) RESERVE Brina Carpenter & Leo Donna GRAND PRIX CHAMPION Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore PARA EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION Chontelle Honour & Tama Park Bradman RESERVE Natalie James & Zee Bee FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 11

NATIONAL NEWS

The programme which began on early Sunday evening included:

HORSE & PONY NUTRITION (HayleyJane Malcolmson /Pryde's Easifeed). An informative session from the sponsor of our Development Camp

DRESSAGE YOUTH FORUM HELD AT TAUPO NEC Article by Wendy Hamerton Photo by Libby Law

With the change of date to January from April, and the Monday following the Equestrian Entries Youth Festival being Auckland Anniversary weekend, Dressage NZ organized a Youth Forum and Training Masterclass at the NEC Taupo, taking advantage of the stadium facility.

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It turned out to be a totally inspiring event for me as an organizer. The maturity, insightfulness, eagerness to learn and vision for their sport demonstrated by this group of young athletes was mind blowing.

It’s the only way I can describe it. They are our future and we must do everything we can to retain them in our sport. There were parents and riders from every level all the way through to Grand Prix there – I hope we can do this again and involve more athletes and their families” A huge thanks to all presenters and the generous (and brave) demo riders who made it all possible; Danielle Peck & KS Rose D Or, Piper Craike & Glenvar Bramble, Jaime Mulholland & Golden Promise, Alyssa Harrison & Jack be Nimble, Rebecca Mobberley & Sayonara FE, Brina Carpenter & Leo Donna, Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore

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IT'S YOUR SPORT (Wendy Hamerton/ Dressage Sport Manager) The Sport Manager presented a powerpoint showing the relationship structure between Dressage NZ and ESNZ, and then the administrative structure and strategic goals for Dressage and who is involved.

Riders and supporters ten divided into groups and brainstormed ideas from their younger perspective. These ideas will be presented to the Dressage NZ Board and April Planning Forum.

SOCIAL MEDIA & YOUTH SPORT (Otillie Upshall – Grand Prix Rider ) Use it wisely to your advantage, no bullying, keep safe, respect your sport and the ESNZ Social Media Policy.

THE ROLE OF THE DRESSAGE STEWARD (Karen Anderson - FEI & ESNZ Steward) The Help, Prevent, Intervene mantra of stewards outlined as it works in the field of play.

THE DRESSAGE TRAINING SCALE (Debbie Barke - ESNZ Coach & Grand Prix Rider) A fun session with Debbie giving an animated presentation about the training scale and what means from the rider aspect THROUGH THE LEVELS FROM PRELIMINARY TO GRAND PRIX (Sue Hobson FE 4* Judge & Mura Love FEI 3* Judge) Practical demonstrations with demonstration riders focusing on the requirements of each level and how to gain more marks featuring seven combinations. it was hugely valuable for spectators observing both the problems riders encounter in the test and then how to make it better.

NATIONAL NEWS

TAMING THE BEAST THAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA Article by Ottilie Upshall

Social media is an integral part of life for most of us. While it is generally fun and rewarding, and developing a strong online profile can be of enormous benefit for athletes seeking fundraising and sponsorship, there are also a number of pitfalls which we can all take care to avoid.

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SNZ has published a “Social Media Policy Guidelines” document which defines the types and scope of social media platforms and posts, who it applies to, what constitutes a policy breach, and how to report a breach if you believe there has been one. The primary purpose of the policy is to protect the reputation of ESNZ and its athletes, coaches, officials, employees, volunteers and stakeholders. All ESNZ members should take the time to familiarise themselves with its contents.

During the Forum session, the discussion centred around...

1. Cultivating an online personal brand as an athlete 2. How to stay safe from physical or psychological harm 3. How to avoid legal entanglements Riders and parents contributed their thoughts and came up with some Do’s and Don’ts to help young riders and their parents to successfully and safely navigate the online environment.

DO: • Read the ESNZ Social Media Policy Guidelines.

• Be aware of copyright laws and respect intellectual property.

• Know your rights.

• Understand the Terms & Conditions of different social media apps.

• Use privacy settings, or if a profile is public, turn off commenting to avoid unmoderated content.

• Keep posts positive.

• Thank sponsors, organisers, volunteers.

• Acknowledge your fellow competitors – some of them may have had a tough time!

• Be mindful of who you single out for mention by name, to avoid missing anyone out.

• Remember that any content shared online is potentially public, and on permanent record.

• Learn how to recognize online bullying or stalking, and how to report it.

DON’T: • Share personal details (phone number, address, location, email, birthday/age) • Post negative, unflattering or inappropriate content about others.

• Post images of others (especially minors) without permission/ parental permission.

• Vent frustrations or grievances online – instead, find the appropriate channels to do something proactive.

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

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NUTRITION

DID YOU KNOW?

HOOF HEALTH Article by Gail Sramek BApplSc Agr – Consulting Nutritionist to Mitavite

Keratin can only be formed if biotin, Vitamin E, Betacarotene, Zinc, Omega 3 fatty acids and the amino acid, Methionine are provided at the correct levels.

The hoof wall, sole and frog contains a structural insoluble protein, keratin. Sulphurated amino acids such as methionine and cysteine are needed to make Keratin and give the hoof strength.

Good blood supply is necessary for growth. Regular exercise and supplementation with Performa 3 Oil may improve circulation.

Biotin is well known to improve poor quality hooves and is produced in the hind gut of the horse. It can improve the growth of new hoof horn, if it is deficient.

Low levels of Zinc may cause poor hoof health and can be a contributing factor to white line disease.

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here is a saying ‘No foot, No horse’. Without good healthy hooves a horse cannot perform or be used as needed. Due to genetic makeup, climate conditions or feeding diets that are not balanced some hooves can be susceptible to becoming dry, brittle and cracking and the care and proper maintenance of hooves is paramount in ensuring the good health of your horse.

SOME TIPS THAT MAY HELP KEEP HOOVES HAPPY AND HEALTHY ARE: • Dry, brittle and cracked hooves can be a problem in the drier months. Applying a good quality hoof dressing can help to retain the moisture in the hooves. Before applying the dressing, spray the dry hooves with a bottle of water. This helps to retain the moisture in the hooves, where it is needed.

• Concussion on hard, dry ground can accentuate cracks in the hoof wall, starting at the base of the hoof and working their way up to the coronary band. If possible don’t work horses on hard ground and consult the farrier if deep cracks appear.

• Running the water troughs over allows the horses to stand in the water while they are drinking, giving dry hooves a drink too.

• During the wet periods it is important to keep the hooves dry.

Wet conditions can soften the hoof wall and sole, allowing bacteria and fungi to enter the hoof causing infections or problems such as thrush and abscesses.

• Pick out the hooves daily, checking for cracks, abscesses, thrush and any puncture wounds.

• Regular trimming and if needed, shoeing will help to keep the hoof

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well shaped and maintained.

• Hoof growth can be compromised by inadequate nutrition. Feed a diet that is balanced for all nutrients.

Feeding only one supplement or nutrient will not address the complete needs of the hoof.

• Deficiencies and excess in some nutrients can have a negative impact on hoof health.

The hoof is a mirror of the general health and well being of the horse.

Using a supplement may address only one nutrient and will not meet the needs of the hoof or the horse as a whole. Mitavite produce feeds that contain the optimal levels of nutrients that are well absorbed and bioavailable that are needed to keep the horse and hooves healthy.

For more information on feeding your horse or feeding Mitavite feeds contact us on 1800-025-487

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Injured or poor quality hooves, thin brittle walls, thin soles, easily bruised heels, poorly formed frogs or laminitis - Dr Biff’s Hoof Supplement is here to help. Dr Biffs Hoof Supplement provides all the nutrients required to accelerate keratin production and support hoof repair and regeneration.

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 15

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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Charlotte Dujardin and MSJ Freestyle, champions at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle - Olympia

ne thing we can be sure of

THE WORLD'S BEST GRAB THE GOLDEN FEI TICKETS Article by Louise Parkes Photos FEI

With just three qualifiers remaining in the Western European League the final 18 starters are still to be decided

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though is that it’s our very own Wendi Williamson and Don Amour MH who have sealed the place for the Pacific League.

The current title defender, Isabell Werth needs to do no more – other than decide which horse she will take. Steffen Peters has just scored a personal best of 83.495%in Wellington (FL) on the 18.2hh Suppenkasper to a earn a North American place.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

AMSTERDAM FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CUP Germany’s Isabell Werth produced a spectacular test from her threetime series champion, Weihegold OLD, to win the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2019/2020 Western European League qualifier in Amsterdam (NED). This eighth round of the 11leg series attracted a stellar field of both former champions and rising stars, with Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle finishing a close second when putting 89.505 on the board.

Host nation hero, Edward Gal, lined up in third with Glock’s Zonik NOP (85.385) ahead of Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Zaire-E (85.030) in fourth place. But the phenomenal Werth, who holds 34 gold medals at senior level and who is chasing down her fourth consecutive FEI Dressage World Cup™ title and her sixth in total, was the only rider to break the 90 percent barrier, posting 90.280 for a performance that oozed class and confidence.

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1. Isabell Werth (GER) & Weihegold OLD, winners at the FEI Dressage World Cup™, Amsterdam 2. Victoria May-Theurer & Benaglio, third place at the FEI Dressage World Cup™, Salzburg (AUT) 3. Edward Gal & Glock's Zonick, third place at Olympia 4. Charlotte Fry (GBR) & Everdale - placed third at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Olympia

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BREEDING NEWS

THE SECRET IS OUT Article by Sarah Catherwood Photo Equitaris

If the 2019 breeding season is anything to go by, Dressage in New Zealand is shaping up for a big future. Since the introduction of frozen semen, isolated New Zealand breeders have gained access to the best stallions from Europe and are astutely taking advantage of these world class genetics and as a result New Zealand dressage breeding appears to be evolving at a brisk rate.

The 2019 Vice World Champion 5 Yr old Secret, by Sezuan.

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or the 2019 season over 20 top stallions were imported

by Elite Frozen Foals NZ. The most popular stallion for 2019 was the Vice World Champion, Secret (Sezuan –St Moritz). His semen was excellent quality yielding a number of successful pregnancies and some very happy breeders.

With the Hanoverian and Rhineland Classification tour wrapping up on 15 February, and the NZWA Tour kicking off the same day, the feedback from the International assessors Jens Meyer and Matthias Werner, will certainly give breeders an insight into how their breeding programs compare to Europe. Keep an eye out for the results of the 60 foals from the Hanoverian tour and the 83 foals from the NZWA tour to see what the future competition horses will look like.

While it might still be hot and dry across most of New Zealand and the breeding season is slowing down, over in Europe the weather is freezing, but the Northern Hemisphere breeding season is heating up. The 2020 Stallion Parades and Licencing shows are well under way with a number of new stallions being presented to the public. EFFNZ is heading to Germany at the end of February to inspect the available stallions and to attend the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show. Updates will be available on Facebook and Instagram.

INTERNATI BREEDING NEWS A SELECTION OF EFFNZ FOALS 2019

• Don Martllio – Anamour filly Bred by Alicea & Saskia Brosnan • Finest – Sandro Hit colt bred by Andrea Feakin • Franklin – Doringcourt Filly Bred

by David Woolley • Revolution – Rockstar Filly Bred

by David Woolley • Rubin Royal – Quattro B Filly Bred by David Woolley

A SELECTION OF CONFIRMED EFFNZ PREGNANCIES 2019

• Bon Courage – Anabar (Anamour) Hanoverian mare • Bon Courage – (Furst Jupp) Hanoverian Mare Bred by Catherine Smith • Dante Weltino – Diamond Diva (Donnerubin) Top equal Rhineland mare 2019 • Desperados FRH – Fashion Designer (Furstenball) Premium Hanoverian mare • Desperados FRH – (Quaterback/ Weltmeyer) Bred by Visionaire Park • Fidertanz – Qurious Bred by David Woolley

• Franklin – (Dante Weltino) ET Premium Hanoverian mare bred

by Catherine Smith • Franziskus – (San Amour) Bred

by Georgina Block • Rubin Royal – Rockchiq (Rockstar) Bred by David Woolley • Secret – Kelaray Wish (Whisper (IMP)) Champion Mare NZWBA 2018 Bred by Vanessa Pickens • Secret - Aloha (Alanjo) IMP St. Pr Holstein mare bred by Lucy Russell • Secret – Henton Lucille (Limonit) Premium Hanoverian mare bred

by Barbara Gruber • Secret – Dreamt (Dream Boy) Premium Hanoverian mare • Secret – Remi Fiderdance (Fidertanz ) bred by Matthews Hanoverians • Secret – Waimarie (Worldly) bred

by Matthews Hanoverians • Springbank II VH – Delightful Dreams (Dream Boy) bred by Kahikatea Horses • Valverde – Dance (Danroad XX) • Valverde – Pipsqueak (Dream Boy) bred by Kahikatea Horses • Valverde - Harriet (His Highness) bred by Kahikatea Horses

Valverde, is now available to New Zealand breeders

The future of New Zealand Dressage looks very exciting with some serious quality foals and pregnancies on the horizon. Below is a selection of what is to come….

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 19

INTERNATIONAL NEWS From left: John Thompson & JHT Chemistry, Riley Alexander & Lorenzo, Rozzie Ryan & Jarrah R

THE CHEMISTRY WAS CLEAR

J

Photos by Simon Scully

ohn Thompson and the eight-year-old KWPN stallion JHT Chemistry (Connaisseur/Cendea/Johnson) made our Australian counterparts sit up and take notice at Boneo Park Classic CDI in late January. In their very first CDI John sympathetically guided “Tommy� to a cracking 69.326% in the Grand Prix for fourth place just 1.4% in arrears of the winners Mary Hanna and the fourteenyear-old Westfalian stallion Syriana (Sir Donnerhall/ Bonnie/BormioXX). Wisely he did not start the horse in the Special giving the young horse a competition rest day before the Freestyle where again they impressed for second please on 72.695% just 0.070% behind the talented young rider he trains, Riley Alexander on Lorenzo Holly Leach competed HP Fresco for a win in the CDN PSG, and top ten placings in the Intermediate I and Freestyle to finish fourth overall in the Small Tour Championship. Jacqui Winspear and JW Limitless finished in ninth place overall.

John and Holly were also kept busy competing in young horse classes on Aber Fontaine MI and Sugarloaf Amnesty.

Full Boneo results https://results.equestrian-hub.com/show/271

https://results.equestrian-hub.com/show/271

20 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS

WILLIAMSON KEEPS OLYMPIC DREAM ALIVE Photo by Libby Law

H

uge congratulations from us all to the talented Kumeu combination of Wendi Williamson and Don Amour MH. Not only did they win the Pacific League World Cup Final at Boneo Park in December, earning them the right to the start at the FEI World Cup in Las Vegas in April, when the FEI Dressage Olympic Rider rankings closed at 31 December, the pair had also earned New Zealand an individual place at Tokyo keeping alive the possibility for a New Zealand combination to live the Olympic dream.

Wendi’s commitment and determination was evident when she spoke to a group of young riders at the Youth Festival. Her message was clear and from the heart.

"Riders must believe they can achieve from New Zealand. You can do it. You must find the way."

RIDER WILLIAMSON, Wendi HWANG, Young-Shik DATO’ MAHAMAD FATHIL, Mohd Qabil Ambak CHEW, Caroline VORA, Shruti

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FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 21

NATIONAL NEWS

Image L to R: Chris Lovelady (CDE), Karolyn Norton, Diane Wallace, Philippa McLeod, Julie Fraser, Betty Brown (FEI Judge NZL), Vic Barba (FEI Judge PHI) Kerrin Beatson (Sponsor Representative Livamol / IAHP)

NEW ZEALAND TEAM THIRD IN FEI WORLD DRESSAGE CHALLENGE Photo by Mel's Moments Photography

C

ongratulations to the 2019 NZL FEI Dressage World Challenge team who placed third from thirty-one teams entered. The team comprised four South lsland Riders competing at FEI Prix St Georges and Intermediate I in the Livamol sponsored Christchurch event under particularly trying wet weather conditions in April 2019. Int I: Diane Wallace (Profile) PSG: Karolyn Norton (Larapinta Primadonna) Julie Fraser (Arnage Rhumba) Philippa McLeod (Astek Ginsling).

The team challenge was won by Chinese Taipei, Australia 2nd and New Zealand 3rd.

The top placed three teams are all from Zone 8 comprising these three teams plus Hong Kong.

WORLD TEAM RANKINGS https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019_FEI_WCHA-D_World_Team_Classification.pd

WORLD INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019_FEI_WCHA-D_World_Individual_Classification.pdf

ZONE 8 TEAM

https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/Zone_8_2019_FEI_WCHA-D_Team_Classification.pdf

ZONE 8 INDIVIDUAL https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/Zone_8_2019_FEI_WCHA-D_Individual_Classification.pd

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

22 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS

NORTH ISLAND YOUNG RIDER CONVENER APPOINTED Dressage welcomes the appointment of Taupo’s Cathy Vennell as the North Island Young Rider Convener until June 2022. Cathy has a passion for supporting the development of Pony & Young Riders, and recently got really involved with this age group as Event Manager for the Dressage Youth Festival. She attended the recent Youth Forum, so she is well up to speed with young rider thinking Cathy has recently returned to competitive dressage herself. She will be a real asset to our team.

L to R: Hard at work at the Youth Festival: Cathy Vennell, Christine Hartstone & Vicki Lawson

ESNZ DRESSAGE RULES UPDATE

The link to the full version can be found here: www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/rules-regulations/dressage-rules/

NOTES TO CHANGES The 2019 version (v7) of the ESNZ Dressage Rule Book Effective 1/9/19 reflects the following: 1. Rule Changes approved at Conference 2019.

2. Judge Classification to align with new judges’ listings.

3. Clarifications to some rules but no change to the intent.

4. Clarifications noted if there were any conflicts within a rule or relating to other rules owing to the many amendments since the publication of V1.

5. Rules updated to align with current ESNZ GR’s Legal System and current ESNZ administrative practices eg. Previous Requirement to keep ID / Performance books.

6. The movement of a number of paras to a more logical section or order, eg Art 402 Halt and Salute.

7. Riders referred to as Athletes in the majority of articles.

8. Summary tables of diagrams of permitted saddlery & bits now in Annexe 1 as per FEI diagrams.

9. Mark up lines on the left of the text denote changes to the text, movements of paragraphs and repagination.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REMIT FORM FOR THE DRESSAGE NZ 2020 PLANNING FORUM & COMMITTEE MEETING https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/resources/member-information/

SUMMARY OF CLARIFICATIONS & AMENDED RULE NUMBERS Article 401

FEI Updates to Objects & General Principles / Definitions of Movements

Article 402

Now references the Halt and the Halt & Salute

Article 440

Eligibility, Duties & Responsibilities of Judges Consolidated

Article 441

Judge Classification to align with new judge classifications

Article 442

Now only refers to Ground Jury to align with current ESNZ GR’s Legal System

Article 444

Scorer. Deleted references to Judges actions re missing a mark for a movement. This is now in Art 449 under Marking

Article 445

Display of Marks. Updated to align with online scoring systems & publication of marks

Article 446

Classification of Competitions. Updated to reflect grading on points not wins (historical)

Article 447

Ride Off – Deleted as historical only

Art 477.5

Clarified that Bridle Numbers should be worn on both sides of the horse when being ridden

Annexe 4

Lead Rein Competitions

Annexe 8

Updated NZ Pony Club Assn Annexe

Annexes

Renumbered

The FEI is proposing a four-year cycle for rule changes from 2020 with the exception that rules which may affect welfare of the horse, and/or safety may be amended.

Dressage NZ recommends that all officials and athletes review the rule book. If you see any errors in this version, please email dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz

NOTICE OF DRESSAGE NZ 2020 PLANNING FORUM & COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd April 2020 at the Airport Commodore Hotel, Christchurch The Forum will commence at 6.30pm the evening of Tuesday 21st April with a Dinner and an evening and reconvene on Wednesday 22nd April at 8.30am - 3.30pm.

REMITS & AGENDA ITEMS Dressage NZ welcomes remits and agenda items for discussion from area groups or individual members Deadline: Friday 6th March Now is your chance to document what you would like to see amended for the future.

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 23

NATIONAL NEWS

WORLD-CLASS ARENA COMPLETED IN DOUBLE-QUICK TIME

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTERS

I

ncredibly generous support from members, Dressage Groups, Taupo NEC, ESNZ Eventing, ESNZ High Performance, Martin Collins NZ Ltd, Thomas Earthmoving and Shaping plus a $10,000 investment from Dressage NZ enabled a world class 60 x 35m fully fenced and irrigated fibre arena to be completed in time for the Dressage Youth Festival in January.

Jon Williamson took charge of the project management in resolute style with Dressage NZ supporting project administration, both working closely

with the Taupo NEC to ensure a high-quality surface that can be used in conjunction with the indoor stadium. Jon led a team at the NEC over the New Year period to ensure the arena was completed and well settled in time for the Bates National Championships in March. A special thanks to Jon & Benji Williamson for leading the support crew, Hamish Daulton Fencing and local members who turned up to assist with the fiber installation.

Feedback from riders who attended the January event and other users indicate they are excited about the development, understanding the support it gives the soundness and longevity of horse performance.

Dressage NZ wishes to sincerely thank all supporters of this project which complements the drive of Wallie Niederer and the NEC committee to continually upgrade facilities at the NEC for members.

Donations to this project are still being accepted. Any surplus will be held in trust by Dressage NZ to assist fund further NEC Taupo developments. Contact dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz

24 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

Amanda Lyons Andrea Raves Dressage Angela Miller Auckland Manukau Dressage Bill Millar Bridgitt Barclay Christine Weal Classic Equestrian David & Julie Brougham Debbie Vincent Dressage Bay of Plenty Dressage Central Districts Dressage Rider Training Dressage Rotorua Dressage Waikato Dressage Waitemata Dressage Wellington Dressage Tauranga ESNZ Eventing ESNZ High Performance Hamish Daulton Fencing JHT Equine Jon & Wendi Williamson Kerry Sixtus Kieryn Walton Kylie Baker Lynley Schollum Martin Collins NZ Matawhio Sporthorses NEC Taupo Nicki Stone Oro Equestrian Thomas Earthmoving & Shaping Tina Dolley Tobin Equestrian Williamson Water Advisory

25 - 2 8 MARCH 2 02 0

ESNZ NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE | TAUPO

INCORPORATING:

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BATES SADDLES NZ DRESSAGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020

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FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 25

NATIONAL NEWS

Photo Franz Venhaus

DNZ TO HOST MASTERCLASS WITH SANDRA HOTZ Sunday 29th March at the NEC Indoor Stadium, Taupo from 9.15am to 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome, tickets are $25 per person.

T

he Bates National Championships competitions may wrap up on Saturday 28th March, but Sunday 29th will bring a unique opportunity to attend a “Through the Levels” Training Master Class with Sandy Hotz (USA).

Sandy judged at the Sydney CDI in 2018 and 2019 and replaced Master Class presenter Stephen Clark (GBR 5*) at short notice in 2018.

Sandy is an active FEI/USEF judge, clinician, trainer and coach.

She has ridden and taught dressage

for over thirty-five years and has judged since 1989. She teaches all levels up to Grand Prix, stressing correct basic training at each level and emphasizing the rider’s position and seat as a major influence on the horse’s ability to perform at his best. The horse’s well-being and clear understanding of his work are of utmost importance.

She believes that a happy horse is one who is guided by kind, clear, consistent aids by his rider so that understanding and trust develops,

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26 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

allowing for the creation of a genuine “team”. Sandy’s teaching style is positive and creative. She constantly seeks out the most appropriate solutions to training challenges, realizing that no two horses or riders respond in the same way. This approach creates a unique partnership between the trainer, horse and rider.

Judging highlights include: Central American/Caribbean Games, National Championships of Mexico, NAJYRC, NAYC, CDI Sydney, US National Dressage Championships, US Young and Developing Horse Championships, FEI World Cup Qualifiers, FEI Nations Cup, and many US Regional Championships. She also served on the appeals committee at the FEI World Cup in Las Vegas and Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida.

Expressions of interest are sought by 1st March from riders from Preliminary to Grand for the Masterclass, please email dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz with rider contact details and level of horse or pony.

Riders can purchase a ticket online on Equestrian Entries on the Bates Nationals page, or purchase tickets at the Bates event office during the event or on the morning of the Masterclass. Admission will be by ticket only.

Note: Judges attending will receive accreditation points.

NATIONAL NEWS 2019 Champions Julie Flintoff & Belladonna MH, Vanessa Way & NRM Pronto, Gaylene Lennard & Jax Johnson

Please ensure you support our sponsors – they make the event possible. Make sure you visit their trades stands to say thank you.

THE COUNTDOWN FOR THE RETURN TO TAUPO IS ON Photo by Libby Law

2

020 brings another new era for the longstanding Bates National Dressage Championships, returning to the Taupo NEC after an eight-year hiatus. There is a comprehensive schedule of classes on offer for all riders, some of whom have indicated they will be travelling from as far away as Southland.

South Island competitors will once again be specifically supported by the Bates Saddles South Island Travel Fund raffle. Indications are there could be up to 15 southerners planning to cross the strait. Thank you, Bates Saddles.

It’s the first year at the helm for Event Manager, Masterton’s Amber McGovern-Wilson so we look forward to everyone supporting her where at all possible. There are a

wide range of tasks that riders can assist with for short periods of time alongside the ever-ready band of volunteers who work so incredibly hard to deliver this event, so please offer where you can.

The FEI panel of judges includes 5* Henning Lehrmann (GER) and Maria Schwennesen (AUS), 4* Sandra Hotz (USA) Erica MacMillan (AUS) Sue Hobson, Helen HughesKeen, Linda Warren-Davey (NZL), and 3* Mura Love & Betty Brown (NZL). Para Equestrian Champs Judges are Sue Cunningham (AUS) and Mura Love (NZL).

Te Awamutu’s Marcia Bayley takes the role of FEI Chief Steward supported by Rachel McCallum, Jos Gresham, John Wall and Robyne Naylor. Dr Tony Parsons is the FEI Vet Delegate.

Bates Saddles & Weatherbeeta Andrea Raves Dressage Back on Track NZ BV Contracting CPack Limited Custom Logistic Services Dressage Waitemata Dunstan Horse Feeds Elite Equine Elite Frozen Foals NZ Equestrio Fiber Fresh Gateshead Equestrian Grantham Law Heritage Equine Hobson Horsecoaches & Motorhomes Kiwi Arena Rakes Libby Law Photography Livamol Marsh Martin Collins New Zealand Matthews Hanoverians Mercury Energy Oro Equestrian Quality Presentations Superior Rubber Surfaces The Flight Centre The Horsewear House Vetpro Webb Equestrian FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 27

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

Part 3

AN EVENING WITH CARL HESTER Article Jess Roberts Photos © Caitlin Benzie

The third and final episode of the Master Class with Carl Hester MBE at the 2019 Equidays.

28 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

WORKING TOWARDS GRAND PRIX: VANESSA WAY AND NSC PRONTO Vanessa has been training with Carl Hester for over a decade now, so they know each other well. For the Masterclass Vanessa rides her Prestige gelding NSC Pronto who is training and competing at Level 8 this season.

Carl begins by acknowledging Vanessa’s dedication. “It's always nice to see people from other countries, obviously I appreciate how difficult it is for you here - to have regular access to trainers and competitions, all the things that can obviously fast track your career and help you with where you want to go. But as I said before, training your own horses is really the way forward,” he says, before moving on to an outline of the session. “What I really want to use this horse for - I remember him from two or three years ago and he had very small paces. A neat and tidy horse, but small paces. So I said to Vanessa it would be great to use him to show what you can actually do with a trot.”

“If you remember at the beginning tonight, we talked about the walk and the canter and how important they are for all the marks,” Carl continues. “The reason

that I really didn’t talk so much about the trot is because I wanted to show those of you that might have a horse that isn’t a big mover, how you can train it to trot it a different way.” He asks Vanessa to pop up into trot, on a long rein and let him stretch forward a little. “So you see - that is not a ‘wow’ trot. You don’t look at it and think ‘what an amazing trot’. But what you do see if you train your eye to it, is the horse has nice use of his hock and easily tracks up without going crazy or being ridden too fast, and he has a nice articulation of his front leg,” he points out.

“So what we’re looking at is a horse ridden without pressure, suspension, he’s just loose and long and again for me when I looked at him, I had to think ‘what is that going to look like when it has suspension?’ How is this horse

going to piaffe? How is it going to passage? Because that is what the trot is,” he reminds the crowd.

“Piaffe and passage is trotting.

Piaffe is obviously on the spot, and passage highly collected and cadenced. So how do we go from this small trot to creating a good collected trot? Again, we have to think of the word impulsion and we have to think of balance.”

Shorter, shorter,” he prompts, before addressing the audience once more. “So why do you ride with a whip? If you touch the horse with the whip does it actually do anything? Is it nervous of it? Is it friendly with it? The horse just has to be respectful of the whip, and answer to it. It shouldn’t be best friends with it but it should also not be afraid of the whip,” he reminds. “So once you have achieved your reaction as I call it,

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CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS forward, forward, forward! You’re collecting it too much. Hands in front and passage again. What we don’t want is a passagey trot. That is also incorrect. However, when you are changing your normal trot to better collection, better expression, sometimes you will go through that phase where the horse becomes a little bit passagey. If it becomes like that, you would just consider that you will keep training it until the horse is strong enough to go forward so it’s not passagey.’

once you have achieved the touch and the nice little push forward so that he actually just learns to lift his shoulders, then you can start to think about slowing him down. What we’re doing is teaching him how to use his shoulders so that he starts to find suspension in his work.”

“What we need to improve here, Vanessa, is to do a little bit less in front and see if we can just get him thinking trot more behind,” he explains, asking for some passage.

“So you are going to think about a more forward passage and not a collected one. Let him keep thinking forward… there we are! And trot,” he says. “So his tendency, as he’s young, is to slow down with his hind legs and actually become a bit walking at the back. We’ve got to teach him the transition to passage. When we talked about earlier doing a transition of canter-walk, or a trot-halt, it’s forward riding: it’s the same when she makes a trot-passage. You don’t pull the horse back and lift it up, you’re trotting and the horse has to push himself up into this passage step.”

Carl makes some more eagleeyed observations. “He really lifts, he’s just not strong enough, you can see, to push,” he notes. “Keep your hand in front, loosen the hand.

You still have to make him find his own self carriage when you find your passage steps. Touch him and

line. Vanessa, I want you to think that if you had a flashlight on your left toe, that you would light up A. Good! When we look at the shoulder in, I very much want to train it on 3 tracks. Shoulder-in is very much about your inside leg to your outside rein but also if you don’t use your outside leg - remember what I said earlier that you’ve got your two legs and two reins: you have to use all of them - the inside leg very much engages the horse. Now relax the hand again. Good. I like the expression that she is starting to make here.”

They then switch to travers down one of the long side, moving into half pass across to the centreline.

Carl is pleased to see that Vanessa and Pronto keep their suspension and rhythm. “Great! But you have to lean to the inside. Sometimes it's a really good exercise when you’re half-passing - if you find it difficult to sit in the direction that you’re going - it sometimes really helps you to actually lean over. When I was in Young Riders we had this German trainer and he used to literally make us all lean right over to see if we could see the inside hind leg! He said it would really help us understand where our weight aid should be when we do lateral work.

Your weight aid is on the inside.”

They leave this exercise and go back to riding a few trot-passage

30 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

Once this good trot work is achieved in a straight line, your next job is to be able to go sideways with it, says Carl. “So if you go round the edge of the arena and the horse has this lovely big expressive trot and we say ‘let's do a shoulder in, a half-pass, a travers’, and the horse goes back to having a small flat trot, all you’re telling the judge is that you lost the self carriage. The horse has to maintain this,” he affirms, telling Vanessa to ride down the quarterline after A and ride a shoulder-in to the right.

“So: shoulder in. This is, of course, one of the most important exercises we can teach a horse, because it's the first thing we do about keeping the horse’s hindleg under his body. Now that became quarters out,” Carl calls, “because she didn’t use enough left leg. Turn again. This is why I make riders ride shoulder-in on the quarter

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

“So if you go round the edge of the arena and the horse has this lovely big expressive trot and we say ‘let's do a shoulder in, a half-pass, a travers’, and the horse goes back to having a small flat trot, all you’re telling the judge is that you lost the self carriage. The horse has to maintain this,”

willing and very obedient, he just has to learn how to sit, observes Carl. He digresses into how you are able to use the whip lightly on top of the croup to achieve this. transitions once more. “Well done,” he praises. “Do not let your passage become slow, you’re better to have less lift and more forward.

As a trainer and a rider, we’re not trying to make this a 10. Because he’s not ready. We want to make it regular and easy because this is the beginning, and if we think about what we said earlier about the horse having another say, 10 years left to get better… Any irregularities you get where you see one hindleg doing more than the other, or one front leg doing more than the other, that is the horse trying to find his balance in this very difficult movement. This is halfway to what he will be - let's give him a walk.”

While the pair have a break, Carl shares some ideas on forwardness.

“You get told in dressage all the time you must ride forward, but so many people are riding forward out of balance, and everything’s going into their hand. But because they’ve been told to ride forward they think that’s right. I think get the balance first, learn to ride your horse in a

normal pace, so it feels nice and it looks nice, and of course when you understand about balancing a horse - then you add more power in and create expression. But the minute you start creating expression and it becomes negative , you’ve got to go back to working on getting a better feel. And let's face it, it can’t be nice for the horse if all the weight is bearing down on your hands when you ride! So: just that little bit of lightness.”

Next, Carl asks how Vanessa’s pirouettes are going, to which she cheekily replies “Perfect!”. “Great, let’s see them! I’m expecting a load of tens to pop up around the audience,” he teases. “Now we’re talking about getting good pirouettes, we’re talking about Grand Prix, the ultimate. You have to have your ingredients to make these pirouettes. The most difficult thing you’ll have to do in canter is the pirouettes. So, first of all, what makes a good one? Can you canter your horse on the spot? Does it take its weight?” he asks. Pronto is very

“If you ride with a whip sometimes, there are various places that you should use a whip on the horse. One of the guys from the Spanish Riding School comes to my yard once a month and helps me with the in-hand work, and it's fascinating how you can change a horse, and help a horse that’s not particularly talented. One place is on the croup, so if you want to get the horse sitting more behind, just by using it above the tail there…” he instructs Vanessa. “There you go, that’s the sit. If you use the whip lower down, that is to send the horse forward. If you’re working the horse in hand, you can use the whip above the tail, above the hock, below the hock and on the front legs, just above the hoof - you don’t hit the horse, you scoop. You scoop it’s front leg up. Those are things you can think about if your horse doesn’t feel particularly talented taking a horse in-hand can change its life, because they’re not fighting you any more and they’re just learning it for themselves.”

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 31

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

THE GRAND PRIX HORSE: MELISSA GALLOWAY AND WINDERMERE J’OBÉI W South Islander Melissa Galloway (26) is on fire at the moment with two horses competing at Grand Prix, both of whom she trained from scratch. Tonight she rides Windermere J’Obéi W (by Johnson, bred by David Woolley).

Part 3

AN EVENING WITH CARL HESTER Article Jess Roberts Photos © Caitlin Benzie

DW DRESSAGE HORSES

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32 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

Windermere J'Obéi W (9)

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CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS Carl gets into the final session of the evening by taking a quick summary of J’Obéi W. “He’s got lots of energy at the moment, not always directed the right way because he is a hotter type of horse. This is the sort of horse - when we were talking earlier about what suits your temperament, and making sure you have a horse that you enjoy riding this is the sort of horse that I would enjoy riding I think! It's got that lovely cadence first of all, it's got a lot of expression.”

The combination have completed just three Grand Prix competitions together so far, with scores between 67 and 70%. “I would say that's a very positive start for a horse in a Grand Prix career.

He has already found the suspension that we talk about.”

He asks to see her Grand Prix halfpasses individually, and wants to see them well set-up. “So if you could just ride a little bit of shoulder-in to the right until just before R, and half-pass to the right across the school,” he instructs. “Where we have to be careful with this horse is that it doesn’t get too passagey. It’s very easy for him to just lift and not actually cover the ground.

Again, just ease him forward a bit more, Melissa. He hasn’t got the longest neck in the world, so you have to ride very much with having him on a slightly longer frame, let the frame forward. If you let the frame forward more it will help him cover the ground instead of just going upwards.You’ve got to make sure this is a true collected trot from the hindlegs,” he says, giving a little cluck. “That’s enough.”

“If you’ve seen the Grand National on telly and think the fences look big, you actually go to the Grand National and the fences are e-nor-mous. If you watch a puissance on telly, the fence looks huge, but you go and stand beside it in real life and its seven foot tall,” Carl says. “This horse will be able to show what I thought when I first saw real dressage in real life. I thought collected trot was just a slow trot but I actually realised that those

good horses, the really top horses, they cover the ground. I mean they are literally looking in medium trot, they have that much go. This horse is just there to ask the question by the looks of it! Now that is more of a collected trot,” he observes. “That is not a passagey trot. I think the trouble with a horse like this is that is feels so lovely all the time, doesn’t it?” he smiles. “Well - enjoy it, because not many people get horses like that!”

Carl asks Melissa to try a half-pass to the left with this more ‘real’ trot.

“Weight to the left, and take your hands to the left, well done. If your hands go to the right when you’re going left, that’s when you get the twisted neck,” he states. “Go down the long side - sit down, sit down.

Relax your hand. One thing I would say to you is, you still need to feel like you’re sitting a bit heavier. You get a little bit almost stand uping up. Relax your upper body forward - you come behind the vertical yourself too much. You have to be in self carriage as well as your horse.”

The pair are ready to run through the Grand Prix half-passes proper, and Carl reminds the audience that this movement is the first in the test to have the coefficient of two.

“Think forward, think forward. Very nicely ridden, at least an 8 from the front. Sit, sit into him,” he advises, turning to the crowd. “Until you ride those, you don’t know how difficult they are. To actually have a horse that goes with expression sideways like that is pretty difficult.

You see a lot of horses, especially when they’re learning, they lose the trot. This horse… something else that we could say about him is, he’s a natural athlete! We’ve just had to man-make [the previous horse] and we’ve now got a natural one, with the ground cover.”

Next up, Carl wants to see Melissa riding round the outside track and doing a basic transition from trot to halt. “The horse has to come up off his shoulders - he shouldn’t land on his front legs, he should land very lightly.” J’Obéi is behind Melissa’s leg going into the halt.

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CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS “No, no, no stop,” he calls. “Correct it, stand. And trot. As a trainer you have to be able to say to your rider straight away: left hind, right hind, right fore or left fore, because she has to correct it, not just stand there while the horse is like ‘which leg do you mean?’,” Carl disciplines.

“Otherwise he doesn’t learn to be square. Repeat. You need to think about a step of passage and then halt, Melissa. No - that would be a very bad mark because he stepped back to correct himself. Quiet, as he struggles to maintain the halt. Now walk, and now halt. Pat him.”

“What J’Obéi has to learn to do is take little steps,” he says. “He does too much, and then he can’t find where his balance is to be square.

If you teach the horse to do trot, little walk steps, halt, then they tend to start walking forward to stand, rather than coming in with all this power and then standing by putting his leg back, which is a bad fault.

So trot, walk step, whoa. This is a high energy horse, just try and stop thinking about piaffe on the last

step, think of a little step of relaxed walk, halt. Well ridden,” he praises.

“Whoever invented a dressage test? The first thing you have to do is go in and stand still!” Carl says, describing the difficulty of doing this on the world stage. “The horse has to stand square and not look at anybody. When you go to see a World Cup Final or to Olympia in London, which is where we ride a lot, your warm up has probably got maybe 10 or 15 people in it. Seven riders. You don’t hear a thing - it’s completely silent. You’re a long way away from the main arena. You warm up, they call your name, you go up the tunnel, the red curtain goes back and there’s 8,500 people - English people, at Christmas! screaming and shouting at you when you come in,” he recounts. “They give you 45 seconds so you’ve got one chance to go round the edge and then they ring the bell and you have to go in and stand still! Your horse has to have enough energy to piaffe and passage, yet be relaxed enough to walk and stand still. And

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when your horse doesn’t stand still you hear everybody in the crowd: ‘oh how awful’ ‘so tense’ ‘badly ridden and badly trained’... I think sometimes you forget that we riders can actually hear you mumbling away when we make a mistake!

Well, come down and have a go is what I always say!”

“Of course it's easy for those people who haven’t trained horses to say ‘surely the horse should stand still’ but some horses are just like that. Valegro for instance, he stood at 4 years old, he stood at 5 years old, he stood until the day he retired, never thought about it. Then I had Nip Tuck, who took five years to stand still because he was terrified of the clapping!

But they’re all trained the same, it’s not like one is trained and the next one isn’t, they’re just different temperaments,” he explains. “This horse is going to need handling. I love this temperament because I think this is amazing for Grand Prix but he’s also got to stand still, and walk. You have to be really careful

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

with your leg and you have to think, Melissa, about your seat being down, so that your leg doesn't make him hot.

Carl has a neat little exercise for horses that are hot in the walk.

“This is the sort of horse we were talking about that makes you like ‘I hope he doesn’t know I’m here!’

Just put your ankles on his side and say, here’s my leg. The rhythm of the walk is good, relaxation over his back is what we need to improve. So just do a zigzag: I call it the sharks teeth walk. I go this way then I go that way then I go this way… because what isn’t the horse isn’t allowing her to do? I can see from behind, lower legs are on holiday!” he jokes. “Keep them on, and keep turning the horse.

We don’t give the horse a big straight line and say off you go.

Because she’s not forward riding, the horse is going forward without her. So just keep turning and doing the sharks teeth. Pat him on the neck so the horse lets go of his

topline and lets you move him.

Until you feel like you can walk in a straight line and say I’m going to put my legs on, I'm going to push your neck out, and you’re going to go somewhere.” “Sit heavy and ride with your arms. You watch people and they couldn't get the good walk in the test, but they get to the end, halt at X and then the horse walks out for a 10! Why? Because they’ve sat, and relaxed. You’ve got to sit,” Carl tells Melissa. “Sometimes just taking your feet out of the stirrups when you’re walking makes you hang on the horse, which helps with getting your seat down. Now walk forward, march. Good. Now walk him on the spot so he doesn’t think about running forward again. You went to pick up the reins and the horse was like ‘I’m off’. You have to be able to pick up the reins and have the horse say ‘I’ll wait’. On the spot, one leg at a time. It’s really difficult. That will make the horse think about really having to use himself. If he goes forward and he’s tense, he’s stiff and tight. Good, good,” he praises.

Next on the agenda is a chat about the rider’s seat in piaffe and passage.

“In passage you have to be down, sit. Piaffe you want to think about sitting a little bit over your knee, because the horse needs to bring his middle up, his back up. Passage is down because you’re asking the horse to push. I’m going to make you ride a really forward passage, and now I want you to think about bringing your passage almost on the spot. What I want to do here is to get him to do one step of passage on the spot. Very good, quietly bring him back for one step and then out now, out. Very good,” he compliments.

This part is amazing to watch, as Carl has pinpointed exactly what to do to help the horse with his transition from piaffe to passage, and Melissa understands exactly what he is asking, with the skill to put it into practice immediately. “I have to say, this is brilliant,” says Carl. “This horse is a superstar in piaffe and passage by the looks of it.

When you’re being judged for your passage, that will be a very good mark, and then for your piaffe that has to be a very good mark because its times two, but you also get a mark for your transitions.”

“So if she comes into piaffe with this great big passage, the horse is no way going to make a nice transition.

But if she can do this - which is very difficult - to teach him to almost passage on the spot, then she’ll be able to make a beautiful transition.

Bring him back, touch him, and out.

Good,” affirms Carl. “This horse has got one problem, he tries too hard!

He shows you the mechanics that a horse needs to be a very good GP horse.” He asks the audience to pay attention. “A horse in extended trot or passage is pushing. A horse that is piaffing or going into pirouettes is sitting. It's the most difficult transition to get, from piaffe to passage because it involves a lot of effort from the horse.”

Melissa comes down the long side in passage and makes a transition into piaffe, letting the steps come forward. “I think in piaffe at the moment she is doing absolutely

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CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

the right thing, the horse has to be ridden forward because of his age,” he observes. “I want to be able to walk beside him when he’s piaffing.

I want to keep that forwardness because he is so willing, she doesn’t need to make it difficult for him by getting it more on the spot just yet.

Piaffe, think of sitting over your knee, yes, and then out - sit heavy and out. You could see how hard the horse had to work in that transition.

Give him a long rein,” he instructs, as the audience erupts into applause.

Carl jokes “I’m afraid I’ve ditched that horse earlier! I’ve gone for this one! Give him a nice rub on the neck and say goodbye Melissa,” he laughs, adding “Not really. You can see, actually, this needs another good year to get him strong.” He asks to have a quick look at J’Obéi ’s flying changes. After seeing a line of twotempis, he has some suggestions.

“That canter does needs more air in it, definitely. He has to cover the ground more. Lets see some really nice forward medium canters down the long side, see if we can get him to open his stride a bit. To me it’s all the same problem: all because you don’t get your legs on him enough, because he is [so forward]!” he explains.

“So I totally understand where you’re coming from, but you need to ride on a circle at A and keeping him in that forward canter, put him into shoulder-in around the circle,” Carl directs. “This is more for you, Melissa, than him. This is for you, saying ‘here’s my legs’, I’m going to leave my hands forward, so you accept the legs. Super light hand on the snaffle, hand in front. Get used to forward riding. Good, and straighten him up. Now go down the long side and feel like you have more horse in front of you. He needs to canter quite

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a lot like this to get him forward and in front of her,” he tells the audience.

The combination repeat the same exercise on the circle on the other rein. “Be careful you don’t get behind him - otherwise your reins get long and your upper body gets further and further back,” Carl picks up.

“Hand stays in front of the saddle; all your corrections can be with the hand forward. Shoulder-in, there we go, he has to feel your leg.

Now relax your seat, and hips forward through your hands.” He then asks Melissa to show some two and three-time changes each way down the long side. As usual, Carl’s eagle eye has it summed up in seconds. “Ok. So the change to the right is half a mark higher than to the left, because he’s bigger striding on the right side. But that’ll sort itself out, it’s straightness that will do that.

Once more, please,” he asks. “Give

CARL HESTER MASTERCLASS

him the confidence, let the wall sort it out. Look up and out the end of the arena, sit heavy. Now the ones - keep one hand either side of the neck so he has the bridge to keep him straight.”

Melissa and J’Obéi demonstrate a beautiful line of one-time changes.

Carl has just one word for them.

“Amazing.”

“How exciting to have a horse that finds it that easy. How old was he when you got him? A two-year-old, that’s brilliant, isn’t it? How lovely to have a horse that you made yourself, at 26.

The worst thing is, that’s your first horse! Everything after this you’re going to be like… ‘oh, I wish it was like this one!’.

Fantastic. What are your plans

for him - are you staying over here, are you going abroad? I really hope you don’t sell him, you should keep him because this could be an Olympic horse for your country, without a doubt. What you realise when you see horses like this, is how difficult it is to find them, so it’s all very well selling them of course - he’d be worth lots of money - but then you have to go and find another one.”

“I was extremely excited to be selected to ride and so was my family! It’s a dream. I wasn’t feeling too nervous until I was in the arena and Carl kept saying I needed to relax and sit deeper in the saddle so I think I actually

was quite nervous compared to normal! I think I just really wanted to do a good job in front of him. I loved how positive his attitude was for everyone. It was an incredible experience and I came out on such a high I’m so grateful!”

The session winds down with some simple transitions, starting with canter-trot. “I just want to say this because this is important: whatever your aid is, for instance when I do the Grand Prix I come round the corner on the right rein, I take my left rein and say to my horse trot, and he trots. That’s how my horses learn to do it; he does it from what I say,” Carl says. “If it doesn’t work, I can’t then pull on the right rein. You have to be very black and white. You can’t keep changing your aids all the time. So you don’t have to do what I do, but if you do what you do, then stick with it. Because the horse learns through repetition.”

The next transition is collected to medium trot and back. “Use your upper body and not your hand. A half halt lasts for a stride. You cannot take a hold of the mouth and ski on them for three strides,” he warns.

“Let go! Loosen your hand, it’s too strong. Good,” he says, inviting the pair to have a stretch. “Rising trot and just on the snaffle. Slow right down and give him a long rein and see if you can just get him to flop - without running. This is a very talented horse,” Carl wraps up.

“You’ve still just got to make sure of those last few details. Your hand to mouth connection we can get better, and that’s a little bit more to do with getting you to sit on a hot horse, rather than being above him. Just letting yourself down onto him, so he lets you sit and make him rideable.

But he is really lovely, and you’re riding him beautifully.”

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NATIONAL RESULTS

HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 5-9 Liz Hutson & Hapsburg PSH EQUESTRIO STYLE AWARD Giselle Conway & Donatello MH DENNIS REICHENBACH TEAM CHALLENGE Marlborough PRELIMINARY NONGRADED CHAMPION Sophie Frew & KS Touch and Go Reserve Jayme Flynn & Big Rock Get Smart Grand Prix champion Melissa Galloway & Windermere J'Obei W Photo: Belinda Pratt

YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Giselle Conway & Donatello MH RESERVE Tylah Brown & Winslet MASTERS CHAMPION Jenny Pearce & True Steel RESERVE Penny Castle & Lord Alexis PRELIMINARY AMATEUR CHAMPION Claudia Younger & Sandhill Trussardi RESERVE Brigid Gray & Mt Tulloch Royal Legend

Intermediate champion Cooper Oborn & Revelwood Showtime Photo: Belinda Pratt

NOVICE AMATEUR CHAMPION Mikayla Wildermoth & Thumbelina II RESERVE Jessica Jones & Kiwi Matterhorn PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION Claudia Younger & Sandhhill Trussardi RESERVE Amelia Malcolm-Solly & Kelary Carpaccio NOVICE PONY CHAMPION Mikayla Wildermoth & Thumbelina II RESERVE Jesika Cunningham & Tironui Casino's Gold PRELIMINARY OPEN CHAMPION Jacqui Thompson & Dillinger LS RESERVE Cooper Oborn & CDS Donstar NOVICE OPEN CHAMPION Anna Gale & Bloomfield Furst Love Song RESERVE Rosanne Rix & Lindisfarne Danseur

WAIRARAPA PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

T

he 2020 Eastwood Motor Group event at the Solway Showgrounds attracted a record 170 horses and ponies with combinations from as far afield as Queenstown, Canterbury and Marlborough, many of them enroute to the Youth Festival in Taupo. Many were enthusiastic about returning, enjoying their Wairarapa experience and being able to come north for two great events making the long trip more worthwhile. Team Marlborough went home with the Denis Reichenbach/Wairarapa Dressage Area Challenge Cup with an average score of 68%!

It was a social occasion too with the loyal Eastwood Motor Group hosting their popular happy hour during the Grand Prix Freestyle, plus additional strong sponsorship support from local sponsors saw over 50 spot prizes given out over the weekend.

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ELEMENTARY OPEN CHAMPION Natalie van Biljon & Donnerliebe RESERVE Lucy Russell & Donneroyale MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION Vaughn Cooper & River Jim RESERVE Bronwyn Cooper & Kalimna Prestige ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPION Tessa van Bruggen & Fiorenza RESERVE Tylah Brown & Winslet ADVANCED CHAMPION Kallista Field & Felix Westfalia RESERVE Liana Mikaera & Cyprus Al Thaqib SMALL TOUR CHAMPION Chelsea Callaghan & Sisters II Etta J RESERVE Liz Hutson & Hapsburg PSH INTERMEDIATE TOUR CHAMPION Cooper Oborn & Revelwood Showtime RESERVE Rochelle Speirs & Vollrath Latimer GRAND PRIX CHAMPION Melissa Galloway & Windermere J'Obéi W RESERVE Melissa Galloway & Windermere Johanson W PARA EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION Louise Duncan & Northern Ivanthus RESERVE Louise Duncan & Wolkenstein BC

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Willinga's resident rider Jayden Brown & Davinci L Photo: Stephen Mowbray

A

five strong contingent of New Zealand riders is set to take on the best Australia can offer at this magnificent venue at back to back CDI 4* events from 22nd February until 1st March.

An unofficial Grand Prix team event has been proposed by the Organising Committee and what better than to enjoy some rollicking good Trans-Tasman rivalry across the two events…

WILLINGA PARK AND DRESSAGE BY THE SEA SET TO EXCITE The venue is estimated to have cost $100m in 2018 and there are still ongoing developments. There is award winning architecture, gardens galore, 5* accommodation and outstanding equine facilities. It is simply a world class state-of-the-art venue.

Wendi Williamson (Don Amour MH), Melissa Galloway (Windermere J’Obéi W) and Victoria Wall (Letty Lei EDH) will all depart early evening on Monday the 17th of February with the horses expected to arrive at Willinga Park around 1.30am on the Tuesday morning.

The Grand Prix line up is completed

by New South Wales based John Thompson (JHT Chemistry). Holly Leach starts HP Fresco in the Small Tour CDN and Sugarloaf Amnesty in the seven-year-old class.

But our riders are not just there for the fun. All the Grand Prix contenders have Tokyo on their minds too, knowing the high standards they must meet to be in contention for Olympic selection.

The three-day FEI Regional Forum hosts a raft of international speakers plus a not to be missed Dorothy Schneider (GER) Masterclass.

There is a big-name list of International Judges including eight FEI 5* Judges: Gotthilf Riexinger & Katrina Wuest(GER), Anne Gribbons (USA), Magnus Ringmark (SWE) Maria Schwennesen, Mary Seefried & Susan Hoovenaars (AUS) and Eduard De Wolff Van Westerrode (NED).

German Olympian and World Champion Dorothee Schneider will be presenting a not-to-bemissed masterclass

Sue Hobson is the only NZL judge included on the list of a further five 4* and 3* judges from Australasia.

For more information about this event CLICK HERE

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NORTH ISLAND ELITE EQUINE NUTRITION FUTURE STARS FESTIVAL Article by Wendy Hamerton

Photo Seahorse Photography

NATIONAL NEWS

first-round winning performance on 69.4% from the striking palomino Vollrath Ice and Fire (Ikarus GF/ Vollrath World/Worldwide PB) bred by the Vollrath Stud and presented

by Jutta Rosenblatt for 67.6%, and Back on Track Devonian STS a close third on 67.4%.

T

he 2020 North Island Elite Equine Nutrition Future Stars Festival was run alongside the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Dressage Taranaki Championships (A Kiwi Arena Rakes Premier League show) blessed with of two fine days at the Egmont Showgrounds in Hawera.

Ten horses and ponies started across the four age groups completing a specialist young or pony horse test on Friday with the scores coming from a Dressage Taranaki class on Saturday.

Sponsor Victoria Wall thanked the organisers for beautifully run show and was very impressed with the images of the stunning winners in their presentation rugs.

The judges for all round one classes were Helen Hughes-Keen and Sue Hobson, both on the FEI list of Young Horse Judges.

The weekend resulted in a Donnerubin progeny podium fest: CHAMPION FOUR-YEAR OLD HORSE CDS Donstar (Warmblood Stallion by Donnerubin/Gymnastic

Grace/Gymnastic Star) bred and owned by Jacinda Younger of CDS and brilliantly presented by Cooper Oborn for first place in the FEI 4YO test with a well-deserved 76.2% combined with a 67.7% in 2A for the Total Marks 143.9.

CHAMPION SIX- YEAR OLD HORSE Back on Track Devonian STS (NZ Warmblood gelding by Donnerubin/ Southwell Rendevous/Rameriz).

Owned and bred by Colin and Toni Louisson and presented by Toni for 67.4% in the FEI YH test and 68.9% in medium 4A. Marks 67.4/68.9 Total 136.3.

RESERVE CHAMPION Lindisfarne Danseur (NZ Warmblood gelding

by Vienetta/Voltaire II) Bred by Rosehill Sporthorses; owned and ridden by Rosanne Rix. Marks: 69.4/65.3 Total: 134.7 The six-year olds were first tested in the Equestrian Australia 6yr old pony test which does not require flying changes and then lined up in Medium 4A for round two. Rosanne was very pleased with Danseur’s

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But when the marks from the two rounds were added, the slightly more experienced Devonian took out the Championship, Danseur Reserve, Ice & Fire third on a total of 133.1 with another palomino, Jaidev (NZ Warmblood by GT Jake/ Rushmoor Amberley) bred by Amy Robinson) owned and produced by Catherine West in fourth place.

CHAMPION SEVEN- YEAR OLD HORSE True Donnar (NZ Warmblood X by Donnerubin/ Stationbred mare) Bred by Brenda Bellringer; owned and produced

by Beck Corlett. Marks: 66.8/65.3 Total: 132.1 RESERVE CHAMPION SEVENYEAR OLD HORSE NRM Timbermill Prequel ( NZ Hanoverian by Prestige VDL / Crystal/Dream Boy) Bred by Kerry Sanders /Timbermill Sporthorses and produced by Vanessa Way The seven-year-old class began with a tussle between two Taranaki riders Becky Corlett and Vanessa Way. Prequel took out the first round with a big score of 75% but due to a

NATIONAL NEWS

TARANAKI PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 1-4 Molly Lumb & Griffindor MH

Back on Track Devonian STS with Colin & Toni Louisson & Sue Hobson

HANOVERIAN SASH LEVEL 5-9 Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore JUNIOR RIDER CHAMPION Katie Graham & Mr Tucker YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Anna Cole & My Kung Fu Panda PONY RIDER CHAMPION Emily Shepherd & Rakaunui Grace N Dazzle

From L: Frankie Lawn, Sue Hobson , Claudia Younger & Sandhill Trussardi

PONY/YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Frankie Lawn & Pied Piper Trick or Treat MASTERS CHAMPION Rosanne Rix & Lindisfarne Danseur PARA EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION Sarah Williams & Arum Park Christmas Eve PRELIMINARY AMATEUR CHAMPION Brigid Gray & The Keeper RESERVE Brigid Gray & My Tulloch Royal Legend Cooper Oborn and CDS Donstar

small injury sustained when startled by a tractor on his way back to the stable, Way chose to save the horse for another day and did not present in the second round, Advanced Medium 5B. Becky was thrilled with her appearance in the final presentation on her black gelding; a true Taranaki success story having been bred by local FEI level rider and enthusiast Brenda Bellringer and owned/trained by Becky from Midhirst. This is Becky’s first season ever competing at Advanced Medium and loved her first experience of a Young Horse competition.

After the first test she said “More riders should do these competitions. The feedback from these experienced judges was incredibly helpful about my horse’s way of going. It was a fantastic experience”

CHAMPION YOUNG PONY Sandhill Trussardi (5yrs Warmblood by Trussardi D/ Rathowen/Longtree Valentine) Bred by Northland’s Fiona Sucich and owned by Jacinda Younger (CDS) and presented

by Claudia Younger daughter of Jacinda Marks 69.6/64.2 Total 133.8. Thus completing a hugely successful weekend for the Feilding based Chevaux Dansants Stables RESERVE CHAMPION Pied Piper Trick or Treat (4yrs Warmblood x by Golden Strike/ Penny Lane Lulu) Bred by Karyn McLachlan, owned by Andrea Robertson and her daughter Frankie Lawn, and presented by Frankie, another twelve-year-old rider. Marks 61/63.3 Total 124.3 It is very encouraging to see these riders on such talented ponies and learning to train these ponies with good basics early in their formative riding years.

NOVICE AMATEUR CHAMPION Rachel Hucker & Must Be Magic RESERVE Jennine Stretch & Feather ELEMENTARY AMATEUR CHAMPION Lucy Russell & Donneroyale RESERVE Philippa Gibbons & SWE Diamant Stern PRELIMINARY OPEN CHAMPION Cooper Oborn & CDS Donstar RESERVE Jacqui Thompson & Dillinger LS NOVICE OPEN CHAMPION Catherine West & Jaidex RESERVE Rosanne Rix & Lindisfarne Danseur ELEMENTARY OPEN CHAMPION Molly Lumb & Griffindor MH RESERVE Toni Louisson & Back on Track Devonian STS MEDIUM OPEN CHAMPION Haydee Wells-Parmenter & Foxleigh Mr Darcy RESERVE Vaughn Cooper & River Jim ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPION Haydee Wells-Parmenter & Royal Dream RESERVE Morgan Beere & Redwood Furst Affair ADVANCED CHAMPION Jutta Rosenblatt & Vollrath Gershwin RESERVE Liana Mikaera & Cyprus Al Thaqib SMALL TOUR CHAMPION Gaylene Lennard & Jax Johnson RESERVE Chelsea Callaghan & Sisters II Etta J MEDIUM TOUR CHAMPION Vanessa Way & NSC Pronto RESERVE Catherine West & Amici II GRAND PRIX CHAMPION Lucarne Dolley & Ardmore RESERVE Toni Louisson & Back on Track Astute

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 41

HIGH PERFORMANCE L to R: Gaylene Lennard, Kellie Hamlett, Stephanie Baker, Nicola Smith (Dressage Rider Training), Amy Sage, Vanessa Way, Rebecca Williamson, Wendi Williamson, Tony Smith (IRT), Christine Weal, Morgan Beere and Jody Hartstone

NEW INITIATIVE EVOLVES WITH KNOWLEDGE CAMP Article by Kellie Hamlett

Dressage NZ Squad Riders recently attended a knowledge camp based at Christine Weal’s yard in Te Awamutu. Held over two days, the riders attended a variety of presentations and workshops, relevant to preparing both the horse and rider for high level competition. With our equine friends left at home, the two days was informative, a great opportunity to mix with fellow riders and share information in a relaxed and fun environment.

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HIGH PERFORMANCE

Justine Kidd gave an interesting insight to her experiences behind the scenes of the Olympics as a Chef d’equipe. Another popular session was presented by Gretel Webber on horse nutrition and feeding for high performance. She gave the riders really good information around competition feed, travelling horses, electrolytes and the use of toxinbinders. Riders had the opportunity of having their horse’s feed analysed from a nutritional viewpoint if they wished.

T

he first session held was an individual check-in with Margs Carline the Chief Selector. Riders went through their IPP’s to discuss performances and goals, and to pinpoint where improvements could be gained.

Timely with the second half of the season approaching.

Lisa Potter presented the next session around media and the use and power of social media. Lisa spoke to the riders about how they could promote themselves and use social media more effectively. She engaged with riders about social media from a sponsor’s point of view and had noted she had looked at all the riders’ pages to source feedback.

FEI Steward Maxine Leigh discussed her experiences with drug testing when competing horses overseas. Following on from Maxine, Wendi Williamson gave valuable insights around taking horses and competing horses overseas. This was a popular session as Wendi has a huge amount of expertise in this area and so openly shared her experiences and advice with the group. This was followed up with an informative session from Tony Smith from IRT around the intricacies of flying horses overseas. This covered topics such as the Equine Influenza vaccine, microchipping of horses, FEI passports, travelling logistics and quarantine processes.

Nicola Smith from Dressage Rider Training gave a fun and interactive session around rider fitness and nutrition, starting with the importance of getting the right amount of sleep – probably something that most of us skimp on. Her talk focused on the importance of sleep and ensuring that as athletes we consider evening routines which assist them to get the best possible restorative sleep which in turn enhances performance.

Nicola also ran through some useful stretches for riders, focussing on key stretches specifically for riders.

We were all delighted with our foam rollers – thanks Nicola.

Finally, Simon Bennett the ESNZ High Performance Manager.

He spoke from an administrative viewpoint of how High Performance funding is allocated and provided insights around the Olympics and qualifications for both teams and individuals.

All in all, a highly valuable two day; we were privileged to have qualified speakers to share their time, knowledge and experiences with us. Thank you to Christine Weal for sourcing the presenters and for hosting the camp at her property.

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 43

HIGH PERFORMANCE

J LEARNING HOW TO WIN Article by Kellie Hamlett Photos by Libby Law

Kelly Hamlett recently attended a Q & A session with Jonelle Price and Jason Yuill from High Performance Sport NZ, this session was part one of the Eventing Squads recent training sessions.

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onelle had a humble beginning when it comes to horses – originally from Motueka, her family were not horsey at all. From the very beginning she has quietly worked away at her eventing career building on the successes and learning from the failures. Most would know that Jonelle is a highly competitive person, and she credits this what’s kept her in the sport. She always wanted to be a professional rider, but admits that perhaps she wasn’t as naturally talented as some riders. She’s had to learn how to win.

It’s taken years of hard graft, highs and lows, but you’ll agree that Jonelle is top of her game and a thoroughly professional competitor.

Jonelle talked about “relative expectations to current scenarios and setting of goals”, being strong mentally and having confidence in your ability. This can turn a bad day into some of the best results. Problems can turn into competitive opportunities. She’s certainly an optimist and a realist.

Jonelle says that between herself and Tim, they never look back or have questioned their decisions, they are driven, with their blinkers on, they are forward thinkers. They had seven years of relentless work before the results became apparent, and she also accredits this to being stubborn, having the ability to stay focussed and having self-belief to compete against the best.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

JASON POSED THE QUESTION TO JONELLE – SO WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW TO WIN NOW? “Experience, horse-power, fine-tuning the craft, focusing on margins – with a constant emphasis on small margins in all training and preparation. A one percent improvement across the board can be the difference between winning and losing”.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS AND MEASURE YOUR PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE FOLLOWING...

• Managing nerves positively • Strong mind, turns negative thoughts back to opportunity rather than having a focus on the negative • Leaves emotion behind – there is no room for that, “it’s a job” • Having a system, good management and good routines • Treat it professionally Jonelle always has a structure and plan for her XC ride – she’s in

the present, she treats each fence as a box to tick and is constantly assessing and reacting accordingly.

She rides with a one fence mentality – ticks off each one, focus on the next and so on.

SO WHAT DOES PRESSURE FEEL LIKE FOR JONELLE? Pressure to perform, and to meet expectations. It’s about belief in the execution and training. Trust your system and trust your programme.

It’s clear Jonelle is a force to be reckoned with. She has a natural confidence and an optimistic outlook.

She’s had plenty of failures – it’s been trial and error and she’s had to recalibrate after the losses, re-focus and re-think the plan.

It’s an eye for detail, all the little things that make the win, it’s the preparation. Again, the system, trust your system and processes.

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

She’s also a big advocate of taking some time out. You need balance, a freshen up and sometimes some perspective. She believes this makes you better in your job.

Certainly some great take home messages from a successful, driven and highly competitive women. I found her grit and determination and positive outlook inspiring.

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 45

EQUITANA AUCKLAND REVIEW

A

THE NATURAL TRUTH WITH TRISTAN TUCKER Article by Jess Roberts Photos EQUITANA Auckland/Libby Law Photography

He’s famous for his hilarious alter-ego Brett Kidding’s dressage ‘demonstrations’, but when it comes to helping horses and riders improve, Tristan Tucker is a serious man. Presenting his own unique and very effective training system, that combines horsemanship and dressage.

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s Pete walks Elle around the arena, Tristan asks him some quickfire questions.

“What’s your routine when you go to a competition? What normally happens in the warmup, it doesn’t matter if there’s one or ten other horses in there? Can you go on holiday for a month and jump straight back on?” Tristan declares that everything looks fine with Elle and they’re just going to go from here, with Pete staying mounted. He asks Pete to come in and sit with a long rein while he checks Elle out for tension points, just as he did with Suzie Q. Elle is very reactive, wary and bunched-up. “I just feel where the tension is, and then I let her feel when the muscle gets long, when she relaxes. I check for tension - she is very tense on her side and flank. So that means she’s not following your leg, she’s reacting to your leg. When

EQUITANA AUCKLAND REVIEW you get this, you have a horse that’s a little bit down in the back, when you put the leg on the back goes down first and then she moves, so you have a hindleg that can’t come quite as far as it needs to to really get engaged.”

“The important thing about the horse responding to the leg is that they respond in the right order - that when you put the leg on, you get the right part of the body engaging and the right part of the body relaxing,” Tristan explains. Elle is super-jumpy about any touch on her flank, tensing up and freezing. “So what I’m doing there is I just make contact, and when she relaxes and the skin gets less tense, I just take the hand away.

And she starts to get some feeling in her body. Then when we start to move her, that’s important because we don’t want her to go into a tension-movement pattern, we want relaxation-movement. Before you get on at a competition, you can practice these tension release points when you get off the trailer.”

Tristan begins going through the same exercises that he went through with Suzie. Apart from the fact that Elle has a rider who is directing her, the patterns are the same. In the forwards-sideways steps of the ‘clock’ pattern, Pete is allowed to use his leg, but the backwards-sideways steps are reins only and he finds it hard not to be tempted to use his outside leg to make it happen. “This is a good example,” says Tristan, “because we had Debbie first, who was the Mummy, and Pete is a little bit - not a dictator - but he’s also not taking any s**t! He wants it to

be a certain way and what happens with that, because Ellie is a little bit insecure in those moments when she finds it a bit difficult, is Pete’s able to ride through it but Elle doesn’t really get the feeling as though she’s in control of herself - she feels as if she’s being controlled. So these exercises help to change that.”

“Now we’ve got our exercises put together, we’re going to add something else and see if we can challenge it. Go out in trot on a 20m circle, on her easy rein, the left rein.

Now we are applying our pattern, taking the skill to a place where there is a challenge,” Tristan says, taking the E marker with pot plant on top away from its position at the side of the arena, and placing it about five metres in from the track, meaning that Pete has to ride between the marker and the arena edge. “The worst thing you can do is put your

leg on,” says Tristan, as Elle stops and plants her feet at the entrance to this ‘gateway’. “To change the pattern, when she thinks backwards, for success, you’ve got to do your favourite exercise!” He helps Pete do a mixture of the backwards-sideways and forwards-sideways patterns, in a way that the pair end up at the entrance to the gateway. “We’re not trying to get her through,” he reminds Pete. “We’re trying to let her know what shape she needs to get through for herself. This is training.”

Elle gets to the gateway once more and wants to walk through it. “Turn her away,” says Tristan. “The reason we take her away there, we want to tell her this is the frame for success.

The idea is, she gets to this point and she’s thinking ‘oh I could go there’ and when you turn away that’s her thought. You don’t get her there and then go ‘get through there ya

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FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 47

EQUITANA AUCKLAND REVIEW

b**tard’! She’ll just think ‘next time I’ll be ready and brace myself a little more!’ The idea is to set her up in the right posture so she can have success for herself. So just stop, let her feel the recognition of accomplishment.

It’s not about working at and making her get through a lot of things.

It’s teaching her how she can get through the one thing and she’ll be able to take herself through everything.”

Pete and Elle then try their circle and gateway in trot, before coming back down to a stop and letting her rest for a minute. Elle is looking very happy and pleased with herself.

“That’s what she needs to feel from you more Pete: that ‘how can I get her to believe that she can do it,’ not ‘how can I get her to do it.’ Have you noticed also you don’t have to keep her on the bit now? You haven’t jiggled your hands once, because she’s keeping the frame herself.”

When Pete represents Elle at the pot plant gateway she stops, and he resorts to using lots of leg again.

“Have you worked hard all your life?

You’re used to working long hours?”

Tristan queries. “Well, this is the only space where you don’t have to work. Especially with as sweet a mare as this, let this be your rest, let this be your pleasure. Don’t allow the pattern from your life rule your enjoyment. Break the habit! You don’t have to work, you only have to teach her and show her what it is she

has to do and she’ll do everything for you.” Pete goes back to his patterns and tries again. “And the proof was right there - the second time you prepared her she got connection, you gave the opportunity and she took you through. This is the key.”

Before finishing, Tristan brings out his stick with the plastic bag on the end, and Elle is explosively frightened of this - Pete does a great job of sticking with her! “I love a good student - he’s not afraid of death!” jokes Tristan, unphased, quietly repeating his question. “It’s about asking questions that are worth answering so that you get a response, but it’s not about how fast I can run at you - approach - or how far I can get the flag down her leg, it’s more about seeing what she does when you ask a question. At the moment, one plus one is enough. We don’t have to ask what’s six times six multiplied by seven divided by 700.

We want to keep being able to say yes to her. In the presence of something touching her, that’s freaking her out, we want her to continue to think

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about these tension release points.”

“This horse will do the GP standing on her ears,” concludes Tristan. “She has the capacity in her body, when she is able to let go, to have that good functionality. She has a good range of movement you are seeing less than 20% of the talent of this horse. We just need to get her to where she feels she’s controlling herself and not being controlled. Going through these patterns in the beginning gives her an understanding of the connections in her body to empower her to control herself in a given situation.

They’re also going to make her move in an order which gives her more capacity, because at the moment she’s holding and moving. If you get this connection, you can see she’s making the frame for moving, softly trotting off - it’s a perfect frame.

Look for the answers, Pete, don’t look to protect yourself. You have a really, really, really sweet horse, and she really wants to do it, that’s why she ‘gets’ this.”

EQUITANA AUCKLAND REVIEW

Pete says: “He’s amazing. I’d already done a little bit of Tristan’s work with Debbie because she’d bought some of his online modules, so I was a bit familiar with him already. Elle is a very spooky horse, she can just hold her body solid and then stop going forward. If she gets tense in canter, she actually physically stops breathing! And then tries to yank the reins out of my hands. When we first started riding her and she heard something behind her, she’d tuck her hind down and she was off! After being to Tristan’s masterclass, I’ve been able to walk Elle around the outside edge of my arena, in the gaps between the poles and drums that I have there - it’s the first time I’ve been able to do that with her, ever. She’s definitely feeling as though she’s beginning to move better, and I’m definitely going to carry on with it.

British Horse Society system. Plus I’m 61, so I’m a bit blinkered. I freely admit it! I’ve been sceptical about some of these alternative ideas for horsemanship, but Tristan is the only one that I’ve felt complements dressage. It gets the horses to move their bodies, that’s the thing, and it gets them confident.

“Debbie often says to me ‘it’s harder for you to just sit and be nice [on the horse] because you’re a man,’ and she has the same problem with her husband Peter! We tend to

kick them and say ‘Go!’ but Debbie always has to think of different ways of doing things with her horses because she doesn’t have the physical strength. Whereas us guys - we do. So then we just get into that driving position and the horse goes solid in their back and the hindleg can’t come forward and they get slower and slower and we kick more and more… it’s a vicious circle! But I’m hoping that my vicious circle has now stopped.”

“The only thing I would say is that when you turn the hind end around the front [Tristan’s ‘clock’ exercise] it’s very confusing to start with, being a dressage rider - you have to consciously think ‘now I’m doing something completely different’ and let go of that outside rein. We’re so used to riding from our inside leg up into our outside rein, but you’ve got to throw it away completely at this point. I was quite sceptical initially.

I must admit that I come from the UK - I had an Advanced stallion over there - and I came up through the FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 49

NATIONAL RESULTS

AUCKLAND-MANUKAU NEW CONCEPT EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS Photo © Mak Images

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ressage Auckland Manukau are a progressive group delivering the sport to a large demographic of the sport. This year their decision to run their November Kiwi Arena Rakes Premier League event with no amateur or restricted divisions, and then offer another major event for Young Riders, Para Equestrians and Amateurs in January certainly paid off.

Over 500 entries were received and resulted in the super positive feedback from riders that it was a thoroughly enjoyable show and most hope it will be happen again.

“The riders were very generous with their time and filled all volunteer roles needed to make the show run

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smoothly. Two of our sponsors, Julie Malcolm from Ridewell Trainwell and Kendra & Katie from Franklin Vets gave very informative talks to riders while they enjoyed pizza and nibbles on the Saturday evening. The Prizegiving was unmounted and riders were requested to stay for a group photo which resulted in the lovely photo you see attached to this article. A photo booth was also set up in the truck park which gave riders the opportunity to show off their beautiful horses dressed in the sponsors rugs and providing lovely photos for the sponsors. Special thanks to Dressage Waitemata who cancelled their local day so that their riders could participate in this show. Great teamwork between areas!” said AMDG Event Manager Judy Collin.

NATIONAL RESULTS PRELIMINARY AMATEUR CHAMPION Kaisa Raisko & VDB Charleston RESERVE Joanna Haggitt & Chuck Taylor PRELIMINARY PONY CHAMPION Emily Archer & Linden Fun & Games RESERVE Georgia Mullins & Our Candyman PRELIMINARY YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Georgia Gibbons & Castanea Xtreme RESERVE Rina Estall & First Hit NOVICE AMATEUR CHAMPION Tarek Yousef & Roadster XL RESERVE Carla Harcourt & Ricker Ridge Zachery NOVICE PONY CHAMPION Piper Crake & Glenvar Bramble RESERVE Danielle Peck & Willowmead Court Jester NOVICE YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Caitlin Benzie & GC Lucius RESERVE Charlotte Grant & Donnerco CDS ELEMENTARY AMATEUR CHAMPION Sarah Baker & Turkish Delight RESERVE Maggie Lees & Esker Lad ELEMENTARY YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Alyssa Harrison & Jack Be Nimble RESERVE Tannah Johnson & Minobie MEDIUM AMATEUR CHAMPION Miriam de Valk & Don Debonaire RESERVE Katie Jones & Land N Sei MEDIUM YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Caitlin Benzie & Libretto RESERVE Sam Gradowski-Smith & Heritage Don Quilla ADVANCED MEDIUM AMATEUR CHAMPION Jane Hilton & Ngahiwi Indestructible RESERVE Alix Campbell & Astek Robina ADVANCED MEDIUM YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Becki Williamson & Don Tobio RESERVE Stephanie Baker & Popstar MH ADVANCED AMATEUR CHAMPION Rhiannon King & Lumino RESERVE Chris Beach & Showcase BC ADVANCED YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Brina Carpenter & Plutonium Lady RESERVE Samuel Gradowski-Smith & Besonders PRO-AMATEUR CHAMPION Angela Lloyd & Ruanuku R RESERVE Angela Hooper & Surreal BC FEI YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Brina Carpenter & Leo Donna FEI PONY CHAMPION Samuel Gradowski-Smith & Heritage Don Quilla RESERVE Bella Small & Kingslea Busy Bee PARA EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION Kate Bothamley & Rushmoor Duvanti RESERVE Aimee Prout & Laghmor

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 51

OUR PEOPLE

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH CHRISTINE WEAL Sponsored by AllinFlex

C

hristine Weal has been nominated this month by Dressage Waikato after stepping into the Vice President role for the group in 2019. Following in the hoofprints of her mother, the late Pam Weal, Christine well demonstrates the importance of volunteer support for the sport with a focus on athlete development.

Four years ago the group initiated a training and development programme, based on local results, that encourages new riders to progress from local to regional competitions. During these four years Christine has generously donated countless hours teaching between four and eight riders named on the Superior Rubber Surfaces Squad at no cost to the riders or Dressage Waikato. She has continued to support them in their competition endeavours by coaching them at her Te Awamutu arena.

Christine assists the group with forward planning for shows as she is often tied up competing several horses and assisting her pupils and friends on the days of the events.

Christine Weal presenting the Pam Weal Memorial Trophy for the Young Rider of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show.

Photo: Libby Law

52 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

In addition to this, Christine and her partner Zoie frequently offer up their property for the running of judges clinics, and plans are in the pipeline to start hosting training, practice/open days for Dressage Waikato members.

Christine is the recipient of this month’s AllinFlex Volunteer prize.

Check out their range of products at www.allinflex.co.nz

OUR PEOPLE

J

udy has worn a number of hats in the Dressage community, rider, judge, board member, chief selector, sponsor, trainer, technical delegate, truck driver, steward, groom, chef de equipe, team manager, dish washer, arena groomer, committee member, but she is best known as a respected Dressage Judge.

A good friend Jill Farmer talked Judy into judging as the area was very short of officials at the time.

Being keen to help Judy did just that and has worked her way up the grades over the years to land at B level National. At the time Averil Semmens was the judges officer and she assisted Judy with the daunting task of accreditation as a judge.

She also had her share of input at Pony Club supporting her children as show jumping judge and team manager and is now beginning to revisit these times as grandmother!

This all started when the family returned to NZ after twenty years living overseas. Pony club was the “carrot” for the teenage kids to

OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH JUDY ALDERDICE Sponsored by AR Dressage

make the move back to NZ more attractive and the social contact that kept Judy involved. Judy had a late start to her Dressage g career swinging her leg over the saddle in her late forties as the kids left home and she found herself with a truck, several horses and a fair bit of time to spare. She competed up until level 5 but stopped two years ago when arthritis in her knee made it much less enjoyable. These days she still hops on the kids ponies sometimes and has discovered it is really easy to fall off a 13hh pocket rocket!

Judy may be diminutive in stature but do not be fooled by that, she is big in commitment, tenacity, participation, getting things done and taking one for the team. She has been a long term resident in the Dressage A team and has never failed to deliver the goods on many, many levels. Her incisive wit has turned many a tedious task at the pointy end of an event into a bearable one and she can always be relied on to see the positive in any situation. Her no nonsense practical approach to everything from parking the caravan to making hard calls at board level makes her a shining star of the Dressage community.

Judy 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 FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 53

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

WHICH EVENTS AND SERIES ARE FOR YOU THIS SEASON? 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 Check out the latest Series results https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/dressage/competition/results/

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

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

Eligibility is based on rider 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

WEBB EQUESTRIAN NATIONAL PARA CHAMPIONSHIPS Para Equestrian Championships from Grades 1 to V will be held from Wednesday 25th through Friday 27th March. FEI 5* Para Equestrian Judge Sue Cunningham (AUS) and FEI 3* Mura Love (NZL) will officiate.

Entries close 19 February on www.equestrianentries.co.nz The event will include a CDI3*, CDIY, CDIJ, CDIP, Young Horses, Bates National Open Championships from levels Preliminary to Grand Prix, National Amateur Championships from Preliminary to Advanced Medium.

For the very first time in New Zealand, a CDIJ will be included in the FEI schedule. FEI Junior Classes are the equivalent of New Zealand Advanced Medium and are open to riders from the beginning of the calendar year in which they turn 14yrs until the end of the calendar year they reach 18yrs. Must be on a horse and both horse and rider must have FEI registration and horse must have an ESNZ National ID Book (FEI passport not required). Horses entered in the CDIP, CDI J and CDIY may not be entered in any other classes at the event. Pony Classes will be offered at Elementary & Medium are also offered.

Foreign International Judges confirmed are Henning Lehrmann (5*GER) Maria Schwennesen (5*AUS) Sandy Hotz (4* USA) and Ricky McMillan (4*AUS).

A Masterclass for Riders, Judges & Fans will be held on Sunday 29th with Sandy Hotz.

Everyone welcome $25pp 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 & NZ Breeders Championship Award No prior qualification. Proof of age of horse must be supplied with entry. Proof of breeding to be submitted to be eligible for NZ Breeders Championship Award

Title Classes Eligibility HOY 2020: (Graded competitions only) All classes up to Advanced From 1 Sept 2019 – 3 Feb 2020 plus Waikato PL (14th -16th Feb 2020) ** FEI levels (CDIY, Small, Medium & Big Tour) as a combination from ** 1 Jan 2019

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 2020 (DRESSAGE SECTION)

LEVEL

MES

EVENT CLASSIFICATION

Preliminary Horse

64%

Premier League or Youth Fest Prelim, Zilco Novice or Youth Fest NOV MFS

Novice Horse

64%

Premier League Zilco Novice OR Youth Festival NOV MFS

Elementary Horse

64%

Premier League Zilco Elementary OR Youth Festival ELE MFS

Medium Horse

64%

Premier League Zilco Medium OR Youth Festival MED MFS

Advanced Medium Horse

60%

Premier League Zilco Advanced Medium OR Youth Festival ADV MED MFS

Advanced Horse

60%

Premier League Zilco Advanced OR Youth Festival ADV MFS

FEI Small Tour Horse

60%

Premier League Int1, PSG OR Youth Festival FEI YR Team or IND

FEI Medium Tour Horse

58%

Premier League Int A, Int B or Int II or Youth Festival U25 GP

FEI Grand Prix (FEI 3* / Nat)

58%

Premier League GP or GPS or Youth Festival U25 GP

CDI Y (FEI Young Rider)

60%

Premier League: FEI YR Test, PSG or Int I OR Youth Festival FEI YR Team or IND

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.

FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 55

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER 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

HHobsons orsecoaches & Motorhomes 2018 Ltd

Sponsors

5 R

www.superiorrubbersurfaces.co.nz

56 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDER

WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY 2020 | SOUTH ISLAND 16

North Loburn EC Day

Rangiora Show Grounds

Local

22/23

SCNO Summer Championship Show

Waimate Show Grounds

Local

23

Northern Equestrian Group

Harrs Road

Local

29/1

South Island Festival of Future Stars

McLeans Island

RE

MARCH 2020 | SOUTH ISLAND 7/8

Otago Autumn Tournament

Taieri Show Grounds

Local

10/15

Land Rover Horse of the Year

Hastings Show Grounds

National

21/22

Dressage Southland Autumn

Gore Show Grounds

Local

26/29

Bates National Championships

Taupo NEC

National

APRIL 2020 | SOUTH ISLAND 4/5

Central Otago Autumn Tournament

Cromwell Racecourse

Local

19

SCNO Autumn Show

Waimate Show Grounds

Local

26

Ashburton Dressage Group

Ashburton Show Grounds

Training

FEBRUARY 2020 | NORTH ISLAND 14/16

Waikato DG Premier League Festival

National Equestrian Centre (Taupo)

Premier League

22

Gisborne Dressage Group

Gisborne Show Grounds

Local

23

Auckland-Manukau DG

Clevedon Show Grounds

Local

23

Eastern Bay of Plenty DG

Te Teko Racecourse

Local

23

Taupo Dressage Group

National Equestrian Centre (Taupo)

Local

23

Warkworth Dressage Group

Warkworth Show Grounds

Local

MARCH 2020 | NORTH ISLAND 1

Bay of Islands DG

Kaikohe Show Grounds

Local

7

Waikato Combined EG Autumn Show

WEC Hamilton

Local

8

Wellington DG Summer Series

Trentham Memorial Park

Training

10/15

Land Rover Horse of the Year

Hastings Show Grounds

National

22

Dressage Waitemata Autumn Day 1

Woodhill Sands

Local

26/29

Bates National Championships

National Equestrian Centre (Taupo)

National

29

Gisborne DG Autumn Series Day 1

Gisborne Show Grounds

Local

29

Warkworth Dressage Group

Warkworth Show Grounds

Local

APRIL 2020 | NORTH ISLAND 5

AMDG Autumn Accumulator Day 2

Clevedon Show Grounds

Local

5

Nth Hawkes Bay Autumn series Day 1

Hawkes Bay Show Grounds

Local

5

Taupo DG Ribbon Day Two

National Equestrian Centre (Taupo)

Training

12

Morrinsville/TeAroha DG Autumn Day 1

Waihou Show Grounds

Local

19

Gisborne DG Autumn Series - Day 2

Gisborne Show Grounds

Local

19

Solway Dressage Autumn Series Day 1

Solway Show Grounds

Training

19

Warkworth DG Training Day

Warkworth Show Grounds

Training

26

Northland DG

Dargaville Racecourse

Local

27

Taranaki Dressage ANZAC Tournament

Egmont Show Grounds

Local

27

Waitemata Dressage Group

Woodhill Sands

Local FEBRUARY 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 57

DIRECTORY

DRESSAGE DIRECTORY Dressage Area Group Websites and other useful links.

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

58 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2020

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)