The countdown is all but over until the opening day of competition at the 2013 New Zealand Dressage Championships. The event will take place at the Sheds NZ National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island 1-3 February 2013. Unfortunately the Grand Prix field this year only features two riders.
10 riders and 14 horses have committed to making the trip across the Cook Straight to compete, the majority of these from the lower North Island. “The level of entries is similar to last year (when held at Fielding’s Manfield facility) and they are showing an increase to the last time they were held in Christchurch (2009)” comments Dressage Sport Manager Wendy Hamerton. The number of Level 1 ponies entered has dictated a separate section to be created. This decision was made to mitigate the need to ballot more horses from the Level 1 classes. However the ponies will not be contesting national pony titles as these were awarded at the recent National Young Rider and Pony Championships.
Auckland’s Jacqui Winspear has been somewhat of an ambassador in the North encouraging riders to make the trip South. She has successfully co-ordinated a travelling party of 4 horses who will fly from Auckland to Christchurch to compete including her own JW Darjeeling who will contest both the Elite Equine Young Horse Championship and the Level 4 title. Raglan’s Jody Hartstone has also committed to make the trip south with the lovely stallion Ali Baba who will compete in the Level 6/7 Championship. Hartstone will be looking to emulate the success of her last trip to Christchurch when she won the Burkner Medal aboard the ageless Landioso.
Disappointingly only two combinations will compete for the Burkner Medal this year, established mainlanders Sally Field-Dodgson riding Amberleigh Elite (by Anamour out of Bedlam xx) and Lynley Stockdale with Komplete Kaos (by Kingsway Diamond x Imperial Seal xx). After the excitement of the Olympic Qualifier in 2011 and the Olympic Games in 2012 it is fair to say the Grand Prix level is undergoing a rebuilding phase with new combinations choosing to stay closer to home until they are firmly established in their work.
Numbers are well up in the Level 6/7 Championships with no less than 24 combinations entered. It will be exciting to watch this competition unfold as there is a diverse mix of established combinations on the brink of Grand Prix and exciting horses in their first season of top hat and tails competition, add in five young riders and any commentator will have a hard job picking the favourite to win. Palmerston North’s Susan Tomlin is bringing both Giusto MH and Domino MH south to compete, as is Wellington’s Catherine Tobin with Riverndell Romeo. They will meet strong southern opposition though with Jenny Scotter and Kinnordy Gallium wanting to add further silverware to their trophy cabinet. The exciting combination of Tracey Johnson and Apollo 4 has been building up the quality of their work and will also be looking to strong performances. Interestingly both Giusto MH and Kinnordy Gallium were crowned 5 and 6 year old champions respectively the last time the Nationals were held at the venue.
Over 20 entries have been received for the Elite Equine Young Dressage Horse Championships. All combinations will contest the preliminary round freestyle with the top two of each age division competing in the final where guest rider Marlen Vassil will put them through their paces. Vassil is an Estonian international rider who is based in Germany and has trained under the guidance of Hubertus Schmidt. Last year’s overall champion Astek Ghisella returns as a 6 year old to defend her title and it will be exciting to see the work that Janelle Sangster-Ward has put into this stunning mare challenged in the technically difficult 6 year old tests.
Related Links
Kate Welten Retains Title at 2013 New Zealand Young Riders Championships
Louisa Hill Wins 2012 New Zealand Grand Prix Championships