Helen Hughes-Keen Awarded Fissenden Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Dressage NZ

Dressage

New Zealand

Helen Hughes-Keen was awarded the Fissenden Trophy for an Outstanding Contribution to Dressage NZ, spanning some 35 years.

She received the distinction at the Dressage NZ Awards Dinner in Auckland on Saturday night 6 July 2024.

Helen has contributed to the sport in many ways including being a competitor up to Grand Prix level on Fetterman and as ESNZ Dressage Performance Coach

She became a selector in 2001 and Chief Selector / High Performance on retirement of Helen Ransom. Helen retired as National Selector following Tryon WEG 2022, but remained as High-Performance Selector until 2023.

Judging as long as she can remember - for at least 35 years “when my kids were little” – and has been an FEI 4* (Level 3) Judge since 2011. Helen also qualified as an FEI Young Horse Judge and is currently a NZL Judge Mentor and List A NZL judge. During her career she has officiated in AUS, NZL, UK and many Asia Pacific nations.

Helen was a founding member of Dressage Wellington and served on the committee for many years. She is well respected in the both the NZL Dressage community and internationally.