
Wendi Williamson renewed her title as national Grand Prix champion at the 2025 New Zealand Dressage Championships held at the national equestrian center in Taupo on 18 - 22 March 2025.
The Championships for juniors, young riders and senior Grand Prix riders were contested at CDI level, while the FEI level division was at CDN level. The event was also comprised of the young horse championships which were won by SWE Furstin Light, Southcote Dominic, and Shall We Dance AH.
Taupo saw over 180 riders and horses competing on the weekend of the Nationals and came hard on the heels of new zealand's second biggest dressage event of the year, the Horse of the Year competition in Hastings at the beginning of March.
Big Tour: Williamson On Top
The annual New Zealand Dressage Championships represent the crowning point of the competition season for dressage in the country. Unfortunately this year the big tour championship saw only two riders compete.
Fresh from winning the Horse of the Year show in Hastings and last year's National champion Wendi Williamson reigned supreme, booking a trio of wins on the weekend aboard Don Vito MH (by Don Frederico x Anamour). She bested the Grand Prix with 70.022%, the Special with 68.745% and the Kur to Music with 71.825%.
The runner-up and silver medal winner was New Zealand 2022 WEG team rider Gaylene Lennard, who returned to international showing after a two year break. Her top horse in the barn, the 15-year old NZ warmblood Jax Johnson (by Johnson x Anamour), last showed in Taupo in March 2023. The duo made a CDI come back exactly years later, first in Hastings at the Horse of the Year Show, followed by the Nationals in Taupo.
Lennard and Jax Johnson scored 68.435% in the Grand Prix, 68.213% in the Special and 70.51% in the freestyle.
Small and Medium Tour
The small and medium tour championship was contested at national level.
At small tour level there were no less than 13 pairs competiting and it was Amy Sage on the 10-year old NZ Hanoverian Sinatra SW (by Sir Donnerhall x Don Frederico) who moved into the winner's circle after a hattrick. They won the Prix St Georges with 68.80%, the Intermediaire I with 68.30% and the Inter I kur with 70.10%. Angela Lloyd and Philippa Wessels's 16-year old TB cross bred Airthrey Roll X (by Airthrey Highlander x About Time) were the reserve champions
Youth: Crake and Belsham
Another four riders contested the Young Riders division at international level and HOY Young Rider of the Year Samantha Belsham continued her winning streak aboard the 9-year old NZ warmblood Dolcetto II (by Donnerubin x Distelfink). She won all three rounds with 66.80% in the team test, 68.80% in the individual and 72.40% in the Freestyle. Her black gelding is bred by Marianne Paton-Sentch and the rider co-owns the horse with her mother Wendy. Belsham is daughter of BMW racing driver Ant Belsham and based in Cambridge.
Pony Riders: Paige Fitzgerald Wins
Four combinations competed in the FEI pony division, held at national level.
The silver medal went to runners-up for the title Katy Payne and the 16-year old Welsh bred Dragonbach Master Rielly (by Hundalee Cyrus x Eelah Executor). She was second in the team test (66.90%) and individual (66.20%) and fourth in the freestyle 66.60%) to finish second overall.
Photos © Libby Law
Related Links
Wendi Williamson Wins 2024 New Zealand Grand Prix Championships
Jefferies and Galloway Take Titles at 2020 New Zealand Dressage Championships
Gradowski, Sage, Galloway and Way Win at 2019 New Zealand Dressage Championship
Sage and Dolley Take Titles at 2019 New Zealand Youth Riders Championships
Julie Brougham Wins 2018 New Zealand Grand Prix Championship
Beere, Sage, Benzie Wins the 2017 New Zealand Youth Riders Championships
Molly Lumb Wins 2016 New Zealand Young Riders Championships
West and Noble Win Big at 2015 New Zealand Young Riders Championships
Catherine West Wins 2014 New Zealand Young Riders Championships
Kate Welten Retains Title at 2013 New Zealand Young Riders Championships
Kate Welten Wins 2012 New Zealand Young Riders Championships
Kate Welten Crowned 2011 New Zealand Young Riders' Champion
Georgia Worth, 2010 New Zealand Young Rider Champion
Appleton, 2009 New Zealand Young Rider Champion
Hannah Appleton wins 2007 New Zealand Young Rider Championship