Amy Sage Wins 2019 New Zealand Horse of the Year Title for Young Riders

Shows

2019 CDI Hastings

New Zealand’s newest Young Rider Horse of the Year title holder is Amy Sage. Aboard RM All About Me, Sage dominated the international Young Riders division in all three rounds at the 2019 CDI Hastings on 15 - 17 March 2019.

Sage and her 10-year old NZL warmblood mare (by Anamour) were excited to achieve some personal bests over the three days of competition in Hastings. In a small field of three competitors, they thrice topped the board with 68.176% in the team test, 69.618% in the individual and 69.12% in the kur to music.

“I was really happy with my first two tests, especially the Young Rider individual test. Both were totally mistake free. Acorn felt great for my freestyle but unfortunately she did a bit of her own free styling and some mistakes crept in," Sage explained.

Sage beat out fellow Young Riders, Brina Carpenter and Madison Schollum in all three tests, decisively taking home the overall title.

The pair moved from their home base in Auckland for the season to train with Grand Prix Rider Vanessa Way in Oakura.

“I have learnt so much from being based with Vanessa, but one thing that has really changed for me is my warm up at shows," she said. "I now keep my warm up short with plenty of breaks. Its more a case of keeping Acorn sharp and listening as she already knows her job so well.”

Sage has big dreams for Acorn with the goal of moving up to level 8 next season, and hopefully Grand Prix in the future.

“She has all the party tricks, it is just a case of establishing the work and giving her enough time to be strong and confident in the work," Amy explained.

But first Sage and RM All About Me will head to Taupo next month to compete in the New Zealand Under 25 Championships.