New Dressage Series Set to Inspire U25 Dressage Riders

 Pony to Podium Pathway

A collaboration between Dressage NZ and ESNZ High Performance Dressage has resulted in an exciting new Pony to Podium Pathway Series being introduced

 Purpose

The aim of this initiative is to increase participation and performance of young New Zealand dressage riders in national and international FEI dressage competitions. It forms a key part of the national succession strategy to ensure a sustainable pipeline of riders advancing through the FEI Youth levels toward senior High Performance representation.

The Series

12 competitions across New Zealand have been invited to host FEI Pony, Junior, Young Rider  & U25 Grand Prix classes as part of their Dressage NZ-sanctioned schedules. These classes will be run in accordance with ESNZ & FEI rules where applicable
Events may offer educational opportunities such as Horse Inspection Guidelines and Practice, Rules Sessions, Warm Up Etiquette, FEI Registrations &  FEI Horse Health App 

Qualifying competitions will be held at the following Events in the 2025-26 season – the number in brackets indicates the number of days the show is held over.

1. 19 October                      Wellington (2)                  
2. 27 October                     Marlborough (2)
3. 27 October                     Bay of Plenty (3)  
4. 30 November                Canterbury (2)
5. 30 November                AMDG (2)
6. 24 January                    Youth Festival of Dressage & U25 Championships (2)
7. 8 February                    SI Dressage Champs (3)
8. 14 February                   Dressage Waikato (2)
9. 4-8 March                     DNZ Bates National Championships (3)
10. 26-29 March                Horse of the Year (3)
11. All FEI tests are the current versions on the FEI Website, please check for updates that may be applicable after 1 January 2026.
    Copies of the FEI tests can be downloaded from https://inside.fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/dressage/tests

ELIGIBILITY

Combinations may only enter one section at each event   

Riders on ponies may enter the Junior Section at events until 28^th February but not in the CDI-J at Bates National Championships or HOY.

Rider Age

1. Pony Riders:  All qualifying competitions will be run under ESNZ/DNZ rules, refer DNZ Article 403  National Competitions held: October – February

Qualifying Competitions Until 28 February 2026 – Under ESNZ/DNZ Rules

1. Junior: Riders must turn at least 14yrs during 2025 and be 18yrs or under at 28^th February 2026  
2. Young Rider: Riders must turn at least 16yrs during 2025 and be 21yrs or under at 28^th February 2026
3. 16-25 Grand Prix: Riders must turn at least 16yrs during 2025 and be 25yrs or under at 31^st January 2026

Competitions under FEI Rules National Championships & Horse of the Year 

• For CDI-J, CDI-Y, U25GP events at Bates National Championships and HOY, FEI rules will apply. See Appendix A of FEI General Regulations for Age Rules .
• https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/FEI%20General%20Regulations%20-Effective%201%20January2025%20-%20clean.pdf

Scheduling Possibilities

All FEI Tests will be 2025 versions and any subsequent FEI update for 2026 eff 1 Jan

Note: Pony Classes are always under ESNZ  National Dressage Rules

Two Day Shows: Order of classes but may be alternated

Three Day Shows CDIJ, CDIY, CDIU25 ( NB: CDI = FEI Rules are only held at Nationals & HoY)

SERIES POINTS

1. Points are attributed to combination not the horse.

2. Points will be allocated as follows

• Scores of 70 plus % – gain 10 points
• Scores of 65 to 69.999% gain 7 points
• Scores of 60 – 64.999% gain 5 points
• Scores of 57 – 59.99% gain 3 points.

1.  The winner in each section will be determined by the combinations Top 5 EVENT scores 

i.e Combinations may compete in more than five EVENTS and points will be recorded, but the winners are determined from the scores from the BEST 5 EVENTS
The number of qualifying competitions at each event is noted in the event list

1. In the event of a tie the average percentage from the combination’s top 3 scores from Horse of Year will count

PRESENTATIONS

1. Series Rosettes provided for 1^st – 3^rd place in each level at qualifying events.
2. The following national presentations will be made at the Dressage NZ Awards Dinner
3. Series Champions and reserves in all four divisions will be awarded Sashes and a
         presentation rug for the winner

ESNZ and FEI Horse Registration Requirements for Series

• All participating horses and ponies must be ESNZ registered and have an Annual Dressage Start.
• For CDI-J, YR, U25 events at Bates National Champs and Horse of the Year, Horse and Rider registration is required. 2026 FEI horse and Rider registrations will be open on HorseReg in December 2025 https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/membershipregistration/fei-international-information/
• Note new FEI registrations may take up to 3 weeks to process, please ensure these are actioned and completed by the 1^st February 2026.