2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

NZL-Cooper Oborn and Aphrodite take the Zilco Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Series. 2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

1st: Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten. 2nd: Melissa Galloway and Windermere JObèi W. 3rd: Cooper Oborn and Aphrodite. 4th: Vanessa Way and NSC Andreas. 5th: Wendi Williamson and Don Amour MH. Class 902: Zilco FEI Grand Prix Freestyle (2017) sponsored by Custom Logistics. 2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

1st: Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten. 2nd: Melissa Galloway and Windermere JObèi W. 3rd: Cooper Oborn and Aphrodite. 4th: Vanessa Way and NSC Andreas. 5th: Wendi Williamson and Don Amour MH. Class 902: Zilco FEI Grand Prix Freestyle (2017) sponsored by Custom Logistics. 2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

NZL-Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten. Final-1st. Class 902: Zilco FEI Grand Prix Freestyle (2017) sponsored by Custom Logistics. 2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

NZL-Melissa Galloway rides Windermere Integro. Class 502: Zilco Advanced Medium Musical Freestyle sponosred by Louisa Hill Equestrian. 2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

NZL-Madison Crowe rides Waitangi Pinterest. Class 980: FeI Eventing Olympic Short Test 2019. 2021 NZL-Oro Dressage by the Lake – at Takapoto Estate. Lake Karapiro. Waikato. Saturday 1 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

ORO DRESSAGE BY THE LAKE: Saturday Roundup

The first dressage event ever to be hosted at Takapoto Estate, Oro Dressage by the Lake got off to a great start on Saturday morning. The incredible venue, complete with immaculate autumnal backdrop and second-to-none facilities, showcased our sport like never before and the spectators carpark was full to overflowing (apparently just the second time in Takapoto’s history this has ever happened!). 

The Preliminary Welcome test 1B (sponsored by Mortgage Link Waikato) win went to Sophie de Clifford and her  lovely Negro mare Riverrock Nigella, almost 5% ahead of their nearest rival to finish on 75.268. Amanda Macpherson and Frieden Star (Fidertanz) staved off a strong bid by Susan Tomlin and Dance Hit SW to take the Novice Welcome test 2B with a score of 79.412. The pair went on to pocket the Zilco freestyle for this level (sponsored by Balanced Saddle Fitting NZ) with another strong score of 76.5.

Hamilton-based Lizzie Green won the Elementary Welcome test 3B (sponsored by Stirrups Equestrian) aboard Comanche II, with the Ridir Clothing 3C class  going to Betty Brown and Archie. Over in the Zilco Advanced Medium Musical Freestyle (sponsored by Louisa Hill Equestrian) Southern star Melissa Galloway shone on Windermere Integro to take the red ribbon on 73.389%. Galloway also rose to the top in the Classic Equestrian 6C on her Advanced mount, Windermere Zephora W (Glocks Zonik). 

Wendi Williamson and Bon Jovi MH were on fantastic form in the Zilco FEI Intermediate I Freestyle, winning the class on 73%, fending off strong competition from Haydee Wells-Parmenter (Fernando) and Vanessa Way (NSC Timbermill Prequel) who also finished in the 70s for second and third respectively.The FEI Eventing Olympic Short test saw Madison Crowe and Waitangi Pinterest pulling off a classy 68.712 win. 

FEI Young Rider and Grand Prix Freestyles

Five Young Riders started in the FEI YR Freestyle class, sponsored by the Williamson Water and Land Advisory. Top spot went to Madison Schollum and Kinnordy Golda, finishing on 69.133, with Auckland’s Ben Weir following her into second on NPE Del Rico and scoring 68.158. Just fractions of a percentage behind them for third place was Rebecca Williamson and Don Tobio (68.133). Lucy Cochrane (Gymanji) and Waikato’s Anna Wilson (Neversfeld Rupert) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Crowds packed into the viewing areas for the Custom Logistic Zilco FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, the 14-strong field promising a great competition. Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten deserved every one of their 74.706 marks; while their floor plan contained a high degree of difficulty they made it look easy and were clear winners. 

Not far behind them was Melissa Galloway and J’Obei W, the pair had an uncharacteristic moment of miscommunication but showed their usual brilliance for 73.312. Anamour offspring occupied third and fourth places: Cooper Oborn and his mare Aphrodite posted 71.112, and Vanessa Way and NSC Andreas followed them with 70.862. Oborn also topped the Zilco GP Freestyle leaderboard after a very consistent season.

View full class results here: https://bit.ly/3xDioDM

The FEI Grand Prix (sponsored by the Waikato Equine & Veterinary Clinic) and FEI Young Rider Team Test (sponsored by Greg Smith Dressage) take place today