PENNY PEARCE MEMORIAL AWARD

Recognising athlete’s achievements at the highest level of Dressage as they work towards high performance success.    

Now just over a decade ago at the Year Show, Penny Pearce aboard Magnus Spero was the first NZ dressage Athlete to score 70% in a Grand Prix Test which at the time was a landmark achievement by a Dressage combination in NZ.  This led onto Penny’s passion and motivation to see Dressage athletes achieving success at the highest level on the NZ and world stage.

This award, the brainchild of Penny’s husband John (her number one supporter) will see combinations awarded points for their test scores of 70% and over, achieved at selected level 7 and above competitions as outlined below.  The combination with the highest number of points being presented as the seasons award winner.

The award is the Penny Pearce Memorial Plaque plus a $1,000 first prize and will be presented over the next three seasons, with the events in contention being confirmed by 30th September each year for the season a head.

(Image – Penny Pearce & Magnus Spero with Beth Bielski of the Seventy Percent Club)

The award will be presented over the next three seasons, with the events in contention being confirmed by 30th September each year for the season a head.

 Competitions for 2025-2026 season 

  • South Island Dressage Championships – 6th to 8th February 2026
  • Bates NZ Dressage Championships – 5th to 8th March 2026
  • Horse of the Year – 24th to 29th March 2026

Eligibility 

  1. ESNZ Rider Membership Requirements for Series: riders must have an ESNZ Child or Full Competitive membership.
  2. ESNZ Horse Registration Requirements for Series: Participating horses and ponies must be ESNZ registered and have an Annual Dressage Start. 
  3. Competing in level 7 and above competitions (see Awards Points below)

Award Points

 

  1. Points are attributed to a combination
  2. Points awarded to ALL test scores (including Musical Freestyle) at level 7 and above. This includes all FEI Tests designated Level 7 and above including:
    • Prix St Georges, Int I & Int I Freestyle
    • FEI Int A, Int B & INT A/B Freestyle
    • FEI Int II, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special & Grand Prix Freestyle
    • FEI YR Team, Individual & YR Freestyle
    • FEI U25 Grand Prix
  3. Points will be allocated as outlined events as follows:
    • 70 – 71.99% – 5 points
    • 72 – 73.99% – 10 points
    • 74 – 74.00% – 15 points
    • 75% plus – 20 points
  4. In the event of a tie the average of the percentages from the athletes top 5 scores will define the winner

 

Presentation

The annual winner will be awarded a Penny Pearce Memorial Plaque and a cash award of $1,000.00 to be presented at the ESNZ Dressage Annual Awards Dinner.