The first day of the 2017 Bates New Zealand Dressage Championships was a bit wet, but that wasn’t enough to stop the keen dressage contingent from getting their best out in the arenas at Manfeild Park.
The Grand Prix contenders lined up for the Super-5 Final L9 – CDI-W FEI Inter II, which was won by the consistent Wendi Williamson and Dejavu MH; she was the only one to crack the all-important 70% mark, scoring 70.421%.
Abbie Deken was second with KH Ambrose (68.421%), and Penny Castle third on Magnus Spero (65.852%). In 2015, Penny and Magnus Spero were the first to break the magical 70%, so it is good to see them back competing after the horse’s injury break.
Meanwhile, Penny won the national Inter II class on BL About Time, scoring 63.868%.
Alex Matheson had a great win in L7 on PSL Lingh II with 66.842%, from Sarah Wadworth on Faemoss BW, 65.439%.
Level 6 is going to be a tight contest as well, with Vanessa Way coming out in front today with NRM Andreas, on 67.149%, from Victoria Wall and Letty Lei, on 65.307%.
And the competition in L5 is already hot, with Hannah Burden winning test 5C today on Dante MH, scoring an impressive 70.163%, from Vanessa Way and NRM KH Arion, on 68.862%.
For the first time in New Zealand, a CDI-P FEI Pony class was held, and the individual was won by Isabella Chatfield on Prima Bella with a score of 63.78%. Caitlin DeLangen and the talented stallion Hilken’s Denali were second (58.524%), with Morgan Beere and Wembleybrooke Sergio (57.52%), fresh from their success at the NZPCA Dressage Championships, in third place.
Lucarne Dolley won the CDI-Y class on Devil’s Chocolate with a score of 68.368%. Hannah Van der Horst (Moby’ll Do) and Emma Turnbull (Axiom) delivered creditable performances; for both girls this was their first time competing in the CDI Young Rider class.
There is plenty of competition still to come during the weekend. The FEI Pacific League World Cup Dressage Final has attracted New Zealand’s very best combinations, but will be missing, unfortunately, Rio Olympic Games representative Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) and Vom Feinsten, who have had to withdraw because of a slight injury to Steiny.
John Thompson (Hamilton) has his star JHT Antonello on the card – the current Horse of the Year title-holders and 2016 national champions always bring their A-game. But they’ll be pushed by the well-performed Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) and Dejavu MH, as well as Vanessa Way (Taranaki) and NRM Arawn, Abbie Deken (Taranaki) and KH Ambrose, Jody Hartstone (Raglan) aboard Ali Baba, Penny Castle (Ashhurst) on Magnus Spero, and William Millar (Waikato) on Raukura Satori MH.
Former Horse of the Year champ Vanessa has worked with the legendary Carl Hester to produce a new musical freestyle, and will be pulling on all her international experience for this class.
Combinations will qualify for Saturday night’s big class, the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle (CDIW), through the Grand Prix on Friday evening.
Dressage New Zealand sport manager Wendy Hamerton is expecting a real spectacular.
“This is the very best of the best in New Zealand, and it’s going to be fantastic to see,” she says. “It is a very exciting time in New Zealand dressage with a number of fantastic combinations at this top level.”
Judges include Mary Seefried (Australia) and Katrina Wuest (Germany) who both hold the highest possible international judging credentials. Joining them will be Cesar Torrente (Columbia) and Anne Prain (France), along with Helen Hughes-Keen (Wellington) and Sue Hobson (Pahiatua).
The last time New Zealand hosted the Pacific League final was back in 1998 when Australian Mary Hanna and the New Zealand-produced Mosaic took the title with a 66.06% effort. “It’s a huge coup for us to be hosting the final,” says Wendy. “We are all looking forward to a very special evening.”
Live streaming will be available tomorrow from start of competition and if you want to follow the scores, they will be available on Equestrian Entries.
Superior Rubber Surfaces NI Super 5 Final L9 – CDI-W FEI Inter II
1. Dejavu MH, Wendi Williamson – 70.421
2. KH Ambrose, Abbie Deken – 68.421
3. Magnus Spero, Penny Castle – 67.5
4. Ali Baba, Jody Hartstone – 65.852
5. Raukura Satori, William Millar – 65.132
6. NRM Arawn, Vanessa Way – 64.842
Superior Rubber Surfaces NI Super 5 Final L9 – (National) FEI Intermediate II
- Sheena Ross, Parkridge Disco SW, 65.509%
- Susan Tomlin, Dancealong, 65.046%
- Paula Stuart, Aztec Lad, 64. 259%
Custom Logic Services NI Super 5 Final L7 – Inter I
- Alex Matheson, PSL Lingh II, 66.842%
- Sarah Wadworth, Faemoss BW, 65.439%
- Toni Louisson, Astute, 65.395%
- Stoneylea Welt Princess, Zoie Gray, 78.4%
- Ruby Tuesday T, Wendi Williamson, 74%
- Aroha MH, Hannah Burden, 72.4%
Elite Equine Young Dressage Horse 5yo – Round 1
- HP Fresco, Holly Leach, 74.6%
- Kieryn Walton, Wisdom WDS, 68.6%
- Ellen Mitchell, Donnerstar CDS, 67.2%
Elite Equine Young Dressage Horse 6yo – Round 1
- Bradgate Riot Act, Kate Tobin, 71.2%
- River Park Luciana, Robyn Coupe, 68.5%
