Dedicated Hawke’s BayDressage Official & Volunteer appointed as North Island Selector

 Chris Paston’s outstanding contribution to Dressage was recognised in 2019 when she was awarded the Kaye Fissenden Memorial Trophy.

But her already impressive list of involvement,  has continued to grow with her appointment as a North Island selector on the national panel of three.

 

“My passion for horses s began at the age of four with family members and relatives all involved in a variety of equine activities. Little was known about the dressage discipline during the early 1950’s, so it was not until our five children developed an interest in riding that I became involved with the local pony club. This went on to a coaching role with several young riders, some of whom represented Hawkes Bay in the pony club Dre

ssage Zone finals. Hawkes Bay was successful in winning the Zone finals in 1995 with our daughter a member of this team. In 2003 I was appointed official coach of the Hawkes Bay team for the Zone finals where Hawkes Bay placed second.

I have been a competitive rider in dressage since the 1980’s, training a variety of horses, including homebred, through the dressage levels and have competed at Prix St Georges  level. The experience gained from these years of involvement in a variety of equestrian activities has given me the knowledge and confidence to assess a rider and horse combination in a positive way which hopefully will encourage these riders to further their career in dressage”

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  • 1986- 1998 Head Instructor of Eskview Pony Club.
  • 1999- Admitted to the Dressage New Zealand judging panel as a List 5 judge.
  • 2003-2024- Horse of the Year Dressage Convenor.
  • 2008- 2016 President of Dressage Hawke’s Bay.
  • 2011- Promoted to List 2 judge after working through List 4 and 3.
  • 2019- Sat the Level A dressage judges’ exam and gained the highest marks for the Hawkes Bay area
  • 2024 – National Selector
  • Appointed as a Technical Delegate on many occasions including Premier League events.
  • Have had the privilege to judge at State Championship events in Australia.