River Park Belafonte, Fanciful MH, HPE Barbados Win 2024 New Zealand Young Horse Championships

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2024 New Zealand Dressage Championships

The 4-year old River Park Belafonte, the 5-year old Fanciful MH, and the 6-year old HPE Barbados became the winners of the 2024 New Zealand Young Horse Championships held at the National Championships in Taupo, New Zealand, on 19 - 22 March 2024.

Four combinations competed in the 4-year old division and five in both the 5- and 6-year old age category. The top 3 in each division in the first round moved on to a second round which counted as the medal deciding finals. Jane Ventura judged the finals.

4-YO: River Park Belafonte

Hannah Burden and the Hanoverian bred River Park Belafonte (by Belantis x Londonderry) became the champions in the 4-year old division. They scored 80.6 points for the victory. Belafonte is bred by Renai Hart (also known as the previous owner of Charlotte Dujardin's Gio) and became the high scoring young horse in all three age groups.

Corey Miln and the NZ Hanoverian mare Fursachie (by Fugato x Magritte) finished second with 78.8 points. This dark bay mare is bred by Lynley Stockdale and owned by the rider.

Hannah Burden and Sapphire MH (by Swarovski x Bonifatius) were third with 74.6 points.

5-YO: Fanciful MH

Only two pairs ended up contesting the 5-year old finals.

Casey Burton rode the NZ Hanoverian Fanciful MH (by Furstenball x Soliman de Hus) to victory on a score of 78.2 points. The horse is bred by Matthews Hanoverians and owned by breeder Judith Matthews.

Lisa Brown and her NZ Hanoverian bred Shall We Dance AH (by Swarovski x Dream Boy) became the reserve champion with 71.4 points. This horse is bred by Amberley House and owned by the rider.

6-YO: HPE Barbados

Professional dressage rider Holly Leach topped the board in the 6-year old final with her own Oldenburg registered HPE Barbados (by Bordeaux w Franziskus), bred by Werner Dullweber. The judge awarded them a winning 77 points.

Debbie Barke became the runner-up on her own home bred NZ warmblood RM Freedom (by Fugato x San Rubin) with 74.2 points.

Maree Heading and her own Australian warmblood Chilli Evening, who is also credited to be an Irish Sport Horse (no pedigree info provuded), landed third place with 65.2 points