It was a lovely day for dressage in Canterbury, and, for many, it was a welcome return to the arena after a busy winter.
Competitors were able to enter classes using the World Dressage Challenge tests. Mura Love was the judge for these, and was pleased that riders were able to practise the test. The World Dressage Challenge is an international development competition supported and organised globally by the FEI. The Livamol 2017 NZL section will be held at Christchurch NEC on Friday December 1, prior to Canterbury Championships, so this was an excellent opportunity to try out the test in competition atmosphere.
For Pip Thompson, getting Gemstar out was a lot of fun. “She got a bit hot at times, but it is her first competition for the season; we haven’t competed since April.” Pip is aiming to do some more Level 6 starts before going up to Level 7. Gemstar is 13 years old now, and Pip not only bred her, but also rode both her dam and her sire.
Nicola Maley was giving Astek Galahad his second start at Level 6 and won the World Dressage Challenge Prix St Georges on a score of 65%.
