Young stars shine at the Dressage NZ Equestrian Entries Youth Festival
A stellar line-up of champions provided an epic grand finale for the Dressage NZ Equestrian Entries Youth Festival held at NEC, Taupo this weekend.
Waikato-based Lucarne Dolley continued to stamp her mark on the sport, winning the U25 Grand Prix title for the third consecutive year. Her well-established partnership with Ardmore (Anamour/Dynamit) saw them fend off strong competition from the likes of Amy Sage and RM All About Me (Anamour/Witzbola) who finished up Reserve Champions. It was an impressive field of competitors, with Rebecca Williamson and Don Amour MH (Don Frederico/Anamour), and Caitlin Benzie riding Jen Sim’s Stoneylea Lancelot (Limonit/Anamour) keeping the pressure on.
The Young Rider Medium tour went to the sole competitor at that level: Brina Carpenter and Leo Donna (Don Quattro/Leo), while the Maxisoy Young Rider and U25 Tour Championship title ended up with Rebecca Williamson and Don Tobio. Even more notable is the fact the 18-year-old student has trained the Donnerubin/Gymnastic Star herself through the grades. Consistent performances saw Auckland student Ben Weir take the Reserve Champion spot with NPE Del Rico (Doringcourt/Falkensee).
Team Williamson made an impression throughout the event, with Stephanie Baker and Popstar MH (Prestige VDL/Weltmeyer) winning the Maxisoy Small Tour Championship, with stablemate Madison Schollum and Kinnordy Golda (Gymnastik Star/Daktylus) just a sliver behind for the Reserve Champion title. There was barely anything between the three competitors at this level with Morgan Beere and Redwood Furst Affair (Furstenball/Londonderry) keeping the pressure firmly on.
The eye-catching combination of Lucy Cochrane and Gymanji (Gymnastik Star/Anamour) dominated the Livamol Advanced Medium, proving too good to catch over the weekend, with Sachleen Kaur and HPH Levitate (Limonit/The Commander) taking the Reserve Champion spot.
It was a tussle for top spot in the Affordable Pools Medium classes, but Tannah Johnson with Minobie (TB by Oberlisk) edged ahead to take out the Championship title, with Belinda Greenfield and L’homme du jour (TB by Fast ‘n’ Famous/No Excuse Needed) close behind for Reserve Champion.
A busy weekend for Caitlin Benzie paid off with Betty Brown’s Archie (Anamour/Dynamit) winning the Equilibrium Australia Elementary Championship, with Emma Dickons and Belmont Bedsox (Belmont Geronimo/Gloss) as Reserve.
The Whakatane Dental Novice level attracted large entries and was hotly contested over the two days with close scores taking it down to the wire for the final spots. Samantha Belsham’s solid performances with Dolcetto II (Donnerubin DC/Distelfink) earned her the Championship, with Amy Sage and HPH Furst Welcome (Furstenball/Wolkentanz I) as Reserve.
Taking her second Championship at the show, Stephanie Baker with Papanui Just Downtown (Donnerubin/Don Fredrico) won the Preliminary title, ahead of Alexandra Hope and Wonda Why (Wonderkind/Uprising) as Reserve.
PONY CLASSES & OTHER
Fiber Fresh Pony Medium Champion: Morgan Abel-Pattinson & Pioneer North East; Reserve: Samantha Wells & Gangnam Style; Ribbons Plus Pony Elementary Champion: Claudia Younger & Sandhill Trussardi; Reserve: Grace Purdie & Firebird Five; Coffee Stop Pony Novice Champion: Zoe Lawn & Rifesyde Firefly; Reserve: Frankie Lawn & Pied Piper Trick or Treat; Gateshead Equestrian Pony Preliminary Champion: Riley Chase & Asti; Reserve: Anna Isaac & II Skipper; Para Equestrian Champion: Natalie James & Zee Bee; Non Graded Junior: Beth Condon & Kozee; Reserve: Ella Cooper-Levin & Logan PSH; Non Graded 12 Years & Under: Charlee Halewood & Ty Gwyn Riviera; Reserve: Aggie Shearer & Cardonald Zin Zan; Lead Rein: Briar Herries & Valrosa Indian Summer; Reserve: Harriet Hogan & Montello Aria.
Full results at equestrianentries.co.nz
NZL-Lucarne Dolly and Ardmore take the Young Rider Grand Prix – KH Arvan Trophy, and the Fissenden Trophy for most championship points. 2021
NZL-Lucarne Dolly and Amy Sage – Reserve Champion with RM All About Me Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Briar Herries rides Valrosa Indian Summer. Final-1st. Lead Rein 8yr & under
The Champions: Rebecca Williamson and Don Tobio take the Young Rider and U25 Tour – Waldebago Trophy.
The STARS of the 2021 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Youth Dressage Festival. NEC Taupo. Sunday 31 January. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
2021 NZL-Equestrian Entries NZ Youth Dressage Festival. NEC Taupo. Sunday 31 January. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Pony Preliminary – Champion: Riley Chase (Asti); Reserve: Anna Isaac (II Skipper).
YR Medium – Champion: Tannah Johnson (Minobie); Reserve: Belinda Greenfield (L’hoomme du jour).
YR Advanced Medium – Champion: Lucy Cochrane (Gymanji); Reserve: Sachleen Kaur (HPH Levitate).