Kallista Field, Guest Judge Rider for Young Horse Classes at 2026 CDI Sydney

Dressage

Australia

Kallista Field has agreed to be the guest judge tider for the national level Young Horse Classes held during the 2026 CDI Sydney on 29 April - 2 May 2026.

Field is regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading dressage riders and trainers. She has competed at two World Equestrian Games, and one Olympic Games – each time on different home-grown horses.

Kallista studied under the great Herbert Rehbein at Grönwohldhof, Germany. There she had the privilege of riding famous stallions, Don Primero, and Donnerhall. As the first New Zealander to compete at Olympic level, Kallista and Waikare finished a creditable 16th place at the Sydney 2000 Olympics (after the international discards) - joining the final trot-up and only 0.37% (1.62 marks) from a start in Grand Prix Kür finals. No New Zealander has achieved this since.

Kallista’s success is in no small amount due to her training with Clemens Dierks, Saskia Ostermeier, and her immensely experienced and talented mother, Sharon Field. In 2024, Kallista’s contribution to Dressage in New Zealand and her indisputable talent was celebrated when she was inducted into the Equestrian Sports NZ Hall of Fame.

Being a busy mum with a daughter and running her equestrian establishment, Kallista’s recent focus has been developing her GP mount, Felix Westfalia FE, as well as producing sound, well trained and mannered horses that have sold both in NZ and around the world.

Kallista will ride the top two finalists in each age division in round 2, with her scores contributing to the final championship results - adding international prestige and invaluable insight to this year’s showcase of emerging dressage talent.

The Young Horse Finals will take place on Saturday afternoon in the indoor arena.