Wendi Williamson rides Don Vito MH. Final-1st. Class 901: Syncroflex – Superior Rubber Surfaces – Test FEI Grand Prix 2022 CDI3*. 2025 NZL-Bates NZ Dressage Championships.  Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

New Zealand’s top dressage combination, Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH, are chasing glory at the Sydney CDI this week.

It’s been a cracker year for the Waimauku combination, winning the top crowns at both the Bates National Championships and Defender Horse of the Year Show. They cleaned up at the Sydney last year, winning the treble of the Grand Prix (71.065%), Grand Prix Special (72.149%) and Freestyle to Music (75.1755). Over the years it has been a happy hunting ground for the environmental geologist. “Junior (Don Vito) has travelled well. He seems to know the drill and arrived quite relaxed,” said Wendi. “All on track so far!”

Wendi and Aussie-based John Thompson are competing in the CDI3* classes which get underway on Thursday with the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix. The CDI3* FEI Grand Prix Special is on Friday and the Freestyle on Saturday.

John and Gatsby recently won the CDI-W Grand Prix (66.891%) and Freestyle (70.27%) at the Dressage with the Stars in Werribee.

Mandy Macpherson (Gisborne) is competing in the CDI1* aboard Frieden Star, with Greg Smith riding in the young horse classes. John also has horses in the lower levels.
Mandy has already had two starts in Australia since basing with Brett Parbery for the past couple of months with top 10 finishes in the CDI1* Intermediate I and Prix St Georges at Bawley Point.

Newly appointed ESNZ high performance dressage manager Christine Weal is at the event with Wendi. “It’s a good opportunity for me to see the other New Zealand riders competing,” she says. “This is a very well run show with a great atmosphere and lots of very nice horses so a great chance to see where we sit. The aim next year is to have a team of senior and young riders competing here. It is great preparation for introducing riders to international competitions, seeing how riders cope with different pressures and how the horses cope with the travel.”

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CLICK HERE FOR START LISTS AND RESULTS
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THE HORSE DETAIL:

Horse

Breeding

Owner/s

Don Vito MH

by Don Frederico out of Adelheid who is by Anamour

Jon and Wendi Williamson

MSJ Gatsby

By Grey Flanell out of MSJ Fenet Menta

Gregory, Jane and Julie Farrell

Frieden Star

by Fidertanz 2 out of Remi Royal Star who is by Royal Diamond

Mandy Macpherson

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photo by Libby Law/ESNZ

30th April 2025