The 2024 FEI Dressage World Challenge Zone 8 proved to be a success story for New Zealand riders who took top honours in three of the five individual divisions. Other nations contesting Zone 8 were China, Taipei, South Africa & Hong Kong.
LIVAMOL INTERMEDIATE I -Photo above A Lloyd
The Livamol NZL Intermediate I combination of Angela Lloyd (Auckland) and Airthrey Roll X took top honours on 67.206% just edging out the South African combination of Dawn Newman and Kuda Insurance Broker’s Callaho Lincoln on 67.132%.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won the Zone 8 FEI Dressage World Challenge Competition Livamol Int 1. This achievement is a big deal to me, it is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and support from my team and my passion for Dressage as a whole. Well done to all the riders, it was well worth putting in that training time over winter! A huge thank you to Dressage NZ, the Judges, officials, volunteers and most importantly the sponsors ‘International Animal Health Products’ for supporting this event. I just love the bucket of ‘Livamol‘ coat conditioning products.
said Angela.
“I got started in dressage as it was a necessary phase for Eventing. Watching the Kur at the Sydney Olympics 2000 whetted my appetite to do straight dressage. As a coach, by riding I feel I can do a better job of assisting others. I love the challenge and really enjoy the training journey. My future goals are to do medium tour this year and develop my next horse to Grand Prix. My top tip for other riders is “eyes up” and my pet hate is forgetting stuff!”
Angela describes herself as a coach, rider, personal assistant and property manager.
Airthrey Roll X is owned by Pippa Wessels, and was bred by Linda Moughan at Waikato’s Airthrey Lodge, by Airthrey Highlander/Chime (TB) making him a wonderful NZ Sporthorse with Clydesdale x TB heritage.
FMG SENIOR II
Anna Williams & HSP Levi (Hawke’s Bay) scored 69.848% to stay in front of a thirty five strong field. “I’m very excited and proud of Levi.’ I am thrilled to have been able to win Zone 8 for New Zealand. Thank you to Dressage New Zealand, Livamol and FMG for making this competition possible. And of course a big thank you to my trainers Penny Pearce and Holly Leach for encouraging me to give it a go again.”
HSP Levi is an eight-year-old, bred by Taranaki’s Sarah Flitcroft, by Vollrath Lessing /Gurteen’s Grace, and owned by Anna and her Mum Toni Williams. Anna has been riding since she was three years old being from a family where Mum & Dad both rode.
Anna’s aim is to have a “happy horse” in his training and is looking forward to another Horse of the Year Show and to see how far she can take Levi through the Dressage grades, currently being Advanced Medium. Aside from horses, Anna loves gardening, renovating houses with her partner, and not surprisingly, teaching her young son to ride horses.
Bella Small (Auckland) was the next best kiwi in fifth place on JHT Chinook (66.061%) in a thirty-five strong field.
QUALITY PRESENTATIONS YOUTH
Paige Fitzgerald (Christchurch) has scored a remarkable three wins and a second place in this competition in the last four years, this year taking the win again with Greenmoor Euphoria in a field of twenty – two under 16’s in this division. NZL riders were outstanding taking the top 5 spots.
“This is super news and I am so excited and grateful to be a part of this event, I love how it gives us (NZL) riders the opportunity to compete against riders from all over the world. To come first in the individual youth zone 8 means so much to me and I am so grateful to everyone that has helped me get to this point in my career! I am super proud of the team’s effort as well to come second in the Zone 8! I’d like to thank Quality Presentations for the generous sponsorship of the Youth section. It means so much to have sponsors and the event would not be possible without them! A big thank you to Livamol as well for sponsoring the event and the NZL team! I was even very lucky to have received a Livamol bucket of goodies for getting into the New Zealand team! Lastly thank you to the officials, stewards, judges, writers, and organisers that make this possible we appreciate you so much!
Greenmoor Euphoria, aka Richie is “a very funny and loveable pony who loves treats and showing off his tricks” says Paige. He is owned by Paige’s Mum, Sarah and was bred by Victoria Weston. He is and English Riding Pony by Willowcroft Regal Emblem/Greenmoor Zodiac.
Paige began her riding career in showing when she was just a youngster on little ponies and started having lessons with Christine Weal when she was eight. “From there my passion for dressage has grown, I love seeing my test sheets and reading what I need to work on for the nest show to improve that mark. My aim is to compete at Advanced level at the Bates Nationals this year, but in the future?.. I would love to ride for NZL at the Olympics and other international events. My key tip for other riders is to improve your own scores instead of trying to beat everyone else’s”
The next four places were Grace Purdie – Waikato (Skyhi Leandro K), Zoe Lawn – Taranaki (Pied Piper Trick or Treat), Katy Payne – Wairarapa (Dragonbach Master Rielly) and Alice Murfitt – Christchurch (Kingslea Busy Bee)
SYNCROFLEX PRIX ST GEORGES
Mandy Macpherson (Wairoa) and the Australian bred Hanoverian Frieden Star (aka Eddie) took third place in a tightly packed field of twenty-six combinations on 68.824%. China’s Yuang Li scored 69.485% and 69.191% to quinella this division, China seeming to target this level taking eight of the top nine places. Auckland young rider Morgan Abel-Pattinson and Don Tobio were tenth on 67.941%. Mandy is taking Eddie to Australia to train with Brett Parbery and is excited top be entered in the CDI1* at Dressage by the Sea at the fabulous Willinga Park venue. Mandy has her own dressage bloodlines, her Mum Gaye Withers being a multi NZ title winner and NZL representative.
NZ WARMBLOOOD ASSOCIATION SENIOR I
Samantha Wells (Waikato) and Royal MH (Royal Mirage/Dream World MH bred by Matthews Hanoverians) won the NZL section and were fifth in the Zone on 67.801%. South Africa dominated this level taking the top three placings with a winning score by Michelle De Villiers-Moreira & Saratoga San Andreo on 74.861%. Royal MH is owned by the Mann Family Trust.
Samantha showed huge resilience to get down the centre line having suffered a kick in the stables early that morning, a trip to A&E in Palmerston North and a lengthy wait for X-Rays and clearance to ride resulting in a very short preparation time prior to competing and so well supported by her Mum Dna Wells. Dressage riders and their team are truly committed and a tough breed!
Judges for the event were Kerri Swan-Bates, FEI 4* (AUS) and Kristin Cottam, now an A level NZL judge who was selected by the NZL Judges sub-committee to officiate, and Sue Hobson (FEI 4*) who judged just the Senior I Class with Kerri.
In the Zone team competition, the NZL Livamol team was a close second to China who scored 247.676 % in the team competition ahead of the NZL Livamol team on 245.576 % and South Africa third on 238.676 %. The Chinese team comprised three Prix St Georges combinations.
The NZL team was Mandy Macpherson, Samantha Belsham in PSG on Dolcetto II, Paige Fitzgerald & Katy Payne.
L – Photo NZL team Front; Paige Fitgerald, Helen Hughes-Keen (Team Manager), Katy Payne
Back: Samantha Belsham & Mandy Macpherson
Shannon Lawlor, Marketing, Sales & Technical Manager representing sponsors International Animal Health Products & Livamol was thrilled to hear the news and along with NZL, looks forward to the final World Rankings from all nine Zones to be published.
A huge thanks to the FEI for continuing to offer this ever important FEI development competition, 2025 being the 45th year of the FEI Dressage World Challenge