The second and final rounds of the Future Stars took place indoors today. Hannah Burden made a clean sweep of the 4-year-old, taking both Champion and Reserve with Fanfare MH and Georgia MH respectively. The divine Fanfare MH scored 86.4 in her first round and 82.6 in the second. Third went to another Matthews Hanoverian: Ganache MH, ridden by Kathryn Corry.
Current HOY 5-year-old champions John Thompson and JHT Anatomy added another title to their growing list, finishing two points ahead of reserve Hannah Burden and Aroha MH. Burden won today’s second round and the judges were full of praise for her mare, saying they were very impressed by Aroha MH’s attitude and ability.
The 6-year-old was also taken out by John Thompson, with stunning imported stallion JHT Chemistry. Australian FEI 5* judge Maria Schwennesen was very complimentary of Chemistry’s paces and trainability and said that a horse of his quality “would stand up [to any competition] anywhere in the world.” The reserve sash went to Bronwyn Cooper and the upstanding grey HV Destino.
Pony classes were very light on entries with just one each in the 4 and 5-year-old – Morgan Beere (Sambuca Soda) and Ciara Johnston (Midnightz Oil) respectively – and none contesting the 6-year old. Morgan and the charming black Sambuca Soda went on to claim Supreme Champion Pony.
Melissa Galloway has had a faultless show so far. She was selected for the World Dressage Challenge team and won the WDC Prix St George on Windermere J’Obei. The pair then went on to scoop the NZ Warmblood Association 7-Year-old Future Star title. Runner-up spot was taken by Wellington’s Catherine Tobin and Bradgate Riot Act.
Our three other WDC team members have also done a great job of flying the NZ flag and delivered strong performances – Lucarne Dolley (Ardmore) and Julie Flintoff (Belladonna MH) were in the top four of the WDC Prix St Georges, and Kieran Walton (Rosari Don Carlos) won the Inter I. NZ is the current holder of the WDC title and we are in a healthy position after day one to defend it.
In the other WDC categories, Sachleen Kaur and HPH Levitate won the Exclusively Yours Youth 12-16yrs, while the Equissage NZ Senior I went decisively to Gaylene Lennard and Jax Johnson. Christine Weal and Schindlers Liszt took out the River Park Farm Senior II.
Today was a rest day for the eight Way to WEG CDI3* contestants, yesterday’s Grand Prix being won by Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten on a score of 68%. JHT Antonello appeared unsettled in several of his test movements and was sensibly retired by John Thompson. Rotorua’s Debbie Barke took second place (64.957) on Lucrative SW, to be followed by Wendi Williamson who posted 64.174 with Don Amour MH. Tomorrow evening is the GP Special, which kicks off in the indoor arena at 6.30pm.
By Jess Roberts
The Horse Inspection for the World Dressage Challenge: Exclusively Yours Youth 12-16 years. 2018 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Under 25 Dressage Championships, including Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge. Thursday 19 April. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Franzi Van Bruggen-Smit with Fortunato during the Horse Inspection for the Livamol Intermediate I. 2018 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Under 25 Dressage Championships, including Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge. Thursday 19 April. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Emma Dunderdale with Alonzo Fanticy during the Horse Inspection for the World Dressage Challenge: Exclusively Yours Youth 12-16 years. 2018 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Under 25 Dressage Championships, including Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge. Thursday 19 April. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Catherine Tobin with Bradgate Riot Act during the Horse Inspection for the Syncroflex Ltd Prix St Georges. 2018 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Under 25 Dressage Championships, including Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge. Thursday 19 April. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Vanessa Way with NSC Pronto and Paula Brown with Vollrath Le Vivre during the Horse Inspection for the Livamol Intermediate I. 2018 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Under 25 Dressage Championships, including Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge. Thursday 19 April. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography