A high performance dressage mission from New Zealand was sent to the 2014 Australian Championships in Sydney and has been hailed as very successful by Sarah Harris, the high performance director of the New Zealand equestrian federation. Supported by team trainer Jeremy Steinberg, four Kiwis competed in the CDI-W Grand Prix and small tour classes.
“It’s all part of our longer term plan,” said Harris. “We are focused on developing a culture within the team and giving them some international experience.”
Team coach, American Jeremy Steinberg has spent a week in Sydney with the riders in the build-up to the nationals, and is a regular visitor to New Zealand to work with top combinations. “Our build up has been very good,” said Steinberg.
All of the combinations were not quite at the level he wanted, but perfect for the level they would be competing at in Australia. “With Rio and WEG coming up, we have to start here and get them travelling, working together and seeing where we stack up . . . and how they do under stress situations," said Steinberg.
The four riders – Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) on Vom Feinsten (owned by D and J Brougham), Penny Castle (Ashhurst) on her own Magnus Spero, Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) Dejavu MH (owned by JL and WM Williamson) and Tracy Smith (Hamilton) on her own Don Diego DC – would be heading home with plenty to work for the future.
“Next time we will be so much further along the path and more prepared for top level international competition. These are younger horses who are all new in their levels – next time they will be that much more established in grand prix competition.”
Feedback from international judges and other coaches about the quality of horse power and riders had been very positive too.
Williamson had been chuffed to gain a late entry into the intermediare freestyle after the withdrawal of another competitor, and she and her horse Dejavu MH had placed fifth on 68.78%, with Smith and Don Diego DC 11th on 66.68%.
“For Wendi to finish on a highlight like that was just great,” said Harris. “We knew what potential quality was there, they just needed to put it all together in a test and at an international show.”
Smith had done well to finish seventh in her two earlier tests.
In the CDI-W Grand Prix Kur to Music Brougham and Von Feinsten were eighth on 68.03%, with Castle and Magnus Spero 11th on 66.93%.
“Julie rode a great test and that horse is such a cool little pocket rock who just buzzed up in the environment. Penny is without question one of our best test riders, who gives no marks away in a test. She rode beautifully."
Penny Castle has finished the 2014 Australian Championships in Sydney on a high, with a third placing this afternoon in the grand prix special.She and Magnus Spero scored 65.55% in the class, in which Heath Ryan took first and second on his horses Regardez Moi and Utopian Cardinal.
Harris said it was a nice way for the hard-working Castle to finish the champs. “All were a real credit to themselves and New Zealand," she stated.
By Diana Dobson
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