The new dressage squads have been announced by ESNZ Dressage and congratulations to all those hardworking people who have made it to this list (see below).
It is also great to see a Pony Squad being named. Well done to Morgan Beere and Lily Jefferies for this huge achievement.
| ADVANCED | ||
| Alex Matheson | Waikato | Lingh II |
| Greg Smith | Waitemata | Avante Garde |
| FUTURES | ||
| Rochelle Speirs | Central Districts | Vollrath Latimer |
| Charmian Pearson-White | Waitemata | Wimborne Conniston |
| John Thompson | Waikato | Kalimna Hotshot |
| Nicola Maley | Canterbury | Astek Galahad |
| Vanessa Way | Taranaki | NRM KH Arion |
| YOUTH (U25) | ||
| Anya Noble | Waikato | Airthrey Highlander |
| Kate Tobin | Wellington | I Like It |
| Louise Ayres | Wellington | Playmate |
| Sarah Wadworth | Marlborough | Faemoss BW |
| Devon Raos | Auckland | Busuto |
| Tessa Van Bruggen | Marlborough | Furst Jupp |
| Tessa Van Bruggen | Marlborough | Fortunato |
| Julie Flintoff | Northland | Belladonna MH |
| Lauren Haig | Canterbury | Grandioso BH |
| Mihi Sheperd | Northland | Hot Chocolate MH |
| Melissa Galloway | Marlborough | Windermere Johanson W |
| Melissa Galloway | Marlborough | Windermere J Obei W |
| Chelsea Callaghan | Wellington | Sisters II Etta J |
| PONY SQUAD | ||
| Morgan Beere | Waikato | Wembleybrook Sergio |
| Lily Jefferies | Wellington | Prima Magneto |
The eligibility criteria for the squads (as stated on ESNZ’s website) includes that riders are selected based on performance criteria met and the soundness of horse. They must be committed to self-improvement and committed to be good team members. Selectors look at the potential of the combinations to progress to other squads including the national squads right through to the High Performance Squad. Riders must act in accordance with ESNZ constitution, regulations and code of conduct.
Members of the squads complete an Individual Performance Plan in conjunction with their personal coach and, subject to funding, training opportunities and sport science workshop later in 2016 are provided.
As well as these, there is the High Performance Squad of John Thompson and Julie Brougham and the accelerator squad, currently named as Penny Castle, Wendi Williamson, Abbie Deken, Lucarne Dolley, Susan Tomlin, Sheena Ross and Debbie Barke.
