Wendi Williamson Wins 2022 New Zealand Dressage Championships

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2022 New Zealand Dressage Championships

The mother and daughter combination of Wendi and Becki Williamson took out the two top titles at the 2022 New Zealand Dressage Championships in Taupo (NZL) on 23-26 November 2022.

The 2022 New Zealand Nationals were originally scheduled to take place on 24-26 March 2022 but were cancelled due to ongoing concerns around the current Covid situation throughout New Zealand. The March edition got postponed to November. The next nationals, those of 2023, are due in March again.

Big Tour Title for Wendi Williamson

Wendi won all three Grand Prix classes with the 10-year old gelding Don Vito MH (by Don Frederico x Anamour) taking home the Julie Brougham trophy, the Tironui Trophy for the Grand Prix Freestyle, and the coveted Burkner Medal for the Bates Championship.

"He's still pretty green but felt like he stepped up a level," said Williamson, who has been competing Don Vito MH in his second season at Grand Prix level.

With no less than 10 combinations entered in the Grand Prix, the 2022 Nationals had one of the largest big tour fields ever. Nine moved on to the freestyle final on Saturday.

Wendi won the national title in 2017 on Dejavu MH, who sadly passed away in 2018. She has been working with Coralie Williams and Christine Weal lately as her eyes on the ground. Wendi runs Waitekauri farm where she has 15 horses in training out of the 25 stabled there.

Vanessa Way and NSC Andreas landed the reserve title

Becki Williamson Wins Medium Tour Title

Rebecca "Becki", who still qualifies as a young rider, has stepped up to Medium Tour with ease on Jovi MH (by Bonifatius x Weltmeyer) took home the rug for the Medium A/B Tour Freestyle and the National Medium Tour title.

The reserve title went to Nicki Sunley on Laila Dawn (by Limonit).

"There were some aspects that we were a bit rusty on," said 20-year old Becki, "but overall I was pretty pleased with how it went. He felt energetic and positive in his movements."

Madison Schollum, Small Tour Champion

It was a proud day all round for Team Williamson with stable rider Madison Schollum taking the Small Tour title on Kinnordy Golda and of course for their long time breeder/ supporter, Judith Matthews from Matthews Hanoverians.

In a field of 11 starters, Madi scored 71.167% in the Inter I Kur.

"It was incredibly rewarding and I'm so proud of how far we have come in our training, and to be able to pull that off in the arena," said Madi. "It was also my first title at a Nationals so that made it even better!"

The reserve champion's title went to Jody Hartstone on Just Vincent.

Ben Weir, Young Riders' Champion

The versatile Ben Weir claimed the Australian Young Riders Champions title in Taupo aboard the 13-year old NPE Del Rico (by Doringcourt), owned by Trevor and Melissa Steed.

The pair aced both tests for a well earned title, posting 70.358% in the Kur. He had 17-year old Gemma Lewis with Ruanuka R on his heels with 70.192% in the Kur.

Weir has been riding Del Rico for six years and loves to produce him to Grand Prix level. A full-time professional rider Ben is predominantly a show jumping competitor, but has an equal interest in dressage. He trains with Melissa Steed and Vanessa Way.

Photos © Libby Law

Results - 2022 New Zealand Dressage Championships

Grand Prix

1. Don Vito MH - Wendi Williamson - 69.710%
2. NSC Andreas - Vanessa Way - 68.478%
3. Sisters II Etta J - Chelsea Callaghan - 64.457%
4. Felix Westfalia FE - Kallista Field - 64.276%
5. Ali Baba - Jody Hartstone - 63.478%
6. Ardmore - Lucarne Dolley - 63.442%
7. Aphrodite - Cooper Oborn - 60.978%
8. Stoneylea Lancelot - Jen Sim - 55.471%
9. Schindlers Liszt - Christine Weal - 54.565%
10. Jazdan D'Movistar CD - Cassandra Dally - 53.877%
Profile - Diane Wallace - ELI

Grand Prix Special

1. Don Vito MH - Wendi Williamson - 67.908%
2. NSC Andreas - Vanessa Way - 67.766%
3. Ardmore - Lucarne Dolley - 66.560%
4. Sisters II Etta J - Chelsea Callaghan - 65.248%
5. Aphrodite - Cooper Oborn - 64.893%
6. Felix Westfalia FE - Kallista Field - 64.646%
7. Ali Baba - Jody Hartstone - 63.865%
8. Profile. - Diane Wallace - 60.425%
9. Stoneylea Lancelot - Jen Sim - 60.284%
10. Jazdan D'Movistar CD - Cassandra Dally - 59.078%

Grand Prix Kur to Music

1. Don Vito MH - Wendi Williamson - 73.480%
2. NSC Andreas - Vanessa Way - 71.270%
3. Sisters II Etta J - Chelsea Callaghan - 70.370%
4. Ardmore - Lucarne Dolley - 69.335%
5. Felix Westfalia FE - Kallista Field - 69.100%
6. Aphrodite - Cooper Oborn - 66.945%
7. Profile - Diane Wallace - 65.855%
8. Stoneylea Lancelot - Jen Sim - 65.740%
9. Ali Baba - Jody Hartstone - 65.650%

Young Riders - Individual Test

1. NPE Del Rico - Ben Weir - 67.451%
2. Gymanji - Lucy Cochrane - 67.010%
3. Redwood Furst Affair - Morgan Beere - 63.186%
4. Ruanuku R - Gemma Lewis - 62.794%
5. Neversfelde Rupert - Anna Wilson - 62.451%
6. Sayonara FE - Rebecca Mobberley - 61.520%
7. HPH Phelix Phelicious - Ben Weir - 56.471%

Young Riders - Kur to Music

NPE Del Rico - Ben Weir - 70.358%
2. Ruanuku R. - Gemma Lewis - 70.192%
3. Redwood Furst Affair - Morgan Beere - 70.100%
4. Gymanji - Lucy Cochrane - 65.950%
5. Neversfelde Rupert - Anna Wilson - 65.833%
6. Sayonara FE - Rebecca Mobberley - 65.667%
7. HPH Phelix Phelicious - Ben Weir - 58.925%

More scores here.