On a lovely Taupo evening at the Fiber Fresh Taupo NEC, in conjunction with the Vivant Equi Bay of Plenty Championships (a Kiwi Arena Rake Premier League Event) around 100 dressage fans and horse lovers gathered to hear from Melissa Galloway, the talented Grand Prix dressage rider who recently competed at the Paris Olympics. While she only took part in the first round, she made headlines by achieving the highest Olympic percentage of any previous NZL competitor—an impressive feat!
Melissa’s path to the Olympics began with a childhood dream of riding at such a prestigious event. To prepare, she spent time competing in Europe at Van Olst Stables, where she sharpened her skills and gained valuable experience.
The evening was hosted by Ian Childs, who set a relaxed and friendly vibe. One of the highlights was the Q &A session with David Brougham, the husband of the late Julie Brougham, who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics. David asked great delving questions that really got Melissa talking about her experiences. David attended the 2016 Olympics with Julie so had some inside knowledge of the challenges and moments to cherish.
Throughout this special evening, Melissa opened up about the mix of excitement and nerves that come with competing at such a high level, emphasizing just how important it is to stay focused and dedicated, which resonated with many in the audience.
After sharing some fantastic stories, the floor was opened up for questions. Attendees were curious about her training routines, her time in Europe, and what it was like to ride at the Olympics. Melissa answered everything with enthusiasm, giving everyone a glimpse into her life as an elite rider.
It is now known that Joey. her equine partner in Paris has been sold to a young German rider. Whilst this certainly brings some sadness, fate sometimes intervenes in life plans and new and unexpected opportunities arise. The good news is that Melissa has a bunch of young, up-and-coming horses that she’s looking forward to working with. It’s clear that her passion for dressage is still going strong!
By the end of this motivational evening it was even more obvious that Melissa Galloway is not just an amazing rider but also a true inspiration. Her story shows that with hard work and determination, dreams really can come true. As everyone left, they carried with them a renewed sense of motivation to pursue their own equestrian dreams.
Words thanks to Jacqui Thompson
The evening was the brainchild of the Dressage Development Committee and any surplus funds will be “arena fenced” for Aachen World Champs 2026, supporting NZL’s bid to make history and qualify a team for 2028 Olympics. A special thanks to David Brougham & Ian Childs for their expert hosting of the evening, and to Dressage Bay of Plenty for helping make it happen.
A special thanks to Chontelle Honour from YourView Photography for these special, memory making images
