The EvoEvents Youth Festival got off to a bright start at the Taupo Fiber Fresh NEC with 115 riders and 145 horses contesting everything from Lead Rein to Grand Prix and Para Equestrian classes.
It was exciting to see three combinations lining up in the U25 IRT Grand Prix Freestyle which resulted in a win for Auckland’s Brina Carpenter on the Hanoverian gelding Parkridge Disco SW. “Danny” was bred by Carol Eivers of the Hawke’s Bay Parkridge Stud and produced by Sheena Ross, and now owned and campaigned by Brina. This was their first start at Grand Prix level scoring 70.375% and presenting a very elegant picture. Amy Sage and RM All About Me were runners up on 68.15% with Canterbury’s Gemma Lewis on Ruanuku R scoring 64.4%, also having their first start at this level.
Brina also scored a win in the AMS Saddlery IntA/B Freestyle on Leo Donna on 66.306% from Ben Weir and NPE Del Rico (62.21%) who have moved up from Young Riders, and Madi Schollum and Kinnordy Golda.
Twelve combinations lined up in the Four Flax FEI U25 / Young Rider Individual Test resulting in a win for U25 competitor Morgan Beere (Waikato) and Redwood Furst Affair, from Young Rider Morgan Abel-Pattinson and Don Tobio narrowly from Wairarapa’s Rebecca Mobberley and Sayonara FE.
Waikato’s Grace Purdie on Mistadobalina won the Stance Global FEI Junior Individual Test offered for the first time. The FEI Pony division first championships qualifier was a win for Waitemata’s Piper Crake and Rheinhart’s Steel from Taranaki’s Zoe Lawn and Pied Piper Trick or Treat.
It was a delight to watch so many younger riders riding with proficiency on happy ponies and horses – we hope they continue their dressage journey
NZL-Holly Hanson rides Hot Gossip. Final-1st. Class 601: Affordable Pools Young Rider/U25 – Advanced 6A. 2024 NZL-Evo Events NZ Youth Dressage Festival. NEC Taupo. Friday 26 January 2024. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Sophie Mandeno rides Brecon Bach Little Wren. Final-3rd. Class 912: AR Dressage Non Graded 12yrs & under -Test 0C (Q). 2024 NZL-Evo Events NZ Youth Dressage Festival. NEC Taupo. Friday 26 January 2024. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Mogan Beere rides Redwood Furst Affair. Final-1st. Class 701: Four Flax Young Rider & U25 Small Tour – FEI YR IND Test (Q). 2024 NZL-Evo Events NZ Youth Dressage Festival. NEC Taupo. Friday 26 January 2024. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
NZL-Morgan Abel-Pattinson rides Don Tobio. Final-2nd. Class 701: Four Flax Young Rider & U25 Small Tour – FEI YR IND Test (Q). 2024 NZL-Evo Events NZ Youth Dressage Festival. NEC Taupo. Friday 26 January 2024. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography