The FEI World Dressage Challenge at the National Equestrian Centre, Taupo, New Zealand, promises to be a real showcase for some of the country's best talent, as they perform before international judges.
The event, supported by The Lion Foundation, runs from November 4-7, with preliminary rounds on Friday and Saturday and the Challenges on the Sunday. Monday is reserved for clinics with the judges for the competitors, always a key feature of the long-running international event. In addition on the Sunday there will be a special Grand Prix, with the overseas judges, for up to five combinations and this is a good opportunity for those with aspirations to compete at next year's World Equestrian Games in Aachen, not only to impress the selectors, but to have outside judges assess their performances.
Riders with experience at top level international competition are excluded from the FEI Challenge, in line with its aims of encouraging the sport at grassroots level and in countries removed from the heart of dressage internationally.
This year, all the levels will feature rising stars, equine and human, this event a rung on the ladder to greater things. Thirteen are entered for the children's qualifiers, from which four will go forward to the XPO Numnahs Childrens Challenge (12-14 years). Favourite would have to be last year's winner, Sarah Wilkinson (Waitoki) on Greendowns Laredo, following which Sarah came eighth at the finals in Germany. However, she can expect to be pushed hard by the likes of the winner of the world final in June, Rebecca Goldsbury (Waipukurau) with Glen Cree Matchwood and Rathowen V.I.P., and Genevieve Rogers (Auckland) on Glenvar Klondyke.
Eleven will be vying for the one wildcard place in the NZ Horse and Pony Magazine Novice Challenge, to join the selected 11 combinations, several of which have strong credentials, including young Nelson rider Hannah Appleton who had such a great season on Zactac Graceful, their wins including the NZ Elementary title. Indeed, young riders are a feature of this class with twice pony challenge winner Brigette Learmonth (Kumeu) on her mother's outstanding Grunelius Legacy up against Anya Tovey (Kumeu) on the imported AEA Flemmington, winners of the 2005 NRM Accumulator, Andrea Bank (Albany) on Regal Volare and Charmian Pearson-White (Auckland) on the impressive Abendstern. Those youngsters, however, will have plenty competition from the older riders in the class like former elementary national champions, Sarah Inglis (Otaki) on Vimac and the current Elementary Horse of the Year Greengates Ambrose with Anna Bramley (Albany).
The Mitavite Advanced Challenge pits some of very consistent combinations, including Sarah Elliott (Levin) on the current reserve national Medium champion, Antaeus and Debbie Barke (Rotorua) on Mzungu, 2004 Medium Horse of the Year.
The Julian and Elizabeth Aaron Prix St George was the competition on which the Challenge was originally based and always provides keen competition. This year's combatants include Brigette Learmonth on her own Lord Lagerfeld, current Young Dressage Rider of the Year Amanda Goldsbury (Waipukurau) on Glenturret, and Vanessa Way (Taranaki) on her second ride of the event, Winters Realm and Joanna York (Taupaki) on Kiteroa Kingston.
The Grand Prix is fixed at five riders, led by current Horse of the Year Vincent St James ridden by Bill Noble (Auckland) and the imported stallion, Landioso ridden by Jody Hartstone (Raglan). Last year's Challenge winner, Mandy Littlejohn (Wanganui) brings her national Grand Prix champion Jahan, and Franzi van Bruggen-Smit (Blenheim) moves up a level with her imported Cavour. The field is completed by July Brougham's JK Super Sonic, winner last season of two GP events and a GP Special.
The New Zealand team will be announced at the Hobson Horsecoaches Cocktail Party on Saturday 5th evening. Results will be in from the other countries - Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taipei - contesting the Group competitions, Taupo being the last stop for the judges, so as soon as the events are finished on the Sunday, the overall rankings will be known.
More news on Dressage in New Zealand at: www.horsetalk.co.nz
Related Link
FEI Group VIII Regional Dressage Forum in Sydney October 24-25, 2005