Sydney CDI Delivers in Many ways for Kiwis

The Team L-R: Christine Weal (Chef d”Equipe), Samantha Belsham, Piper Craig, Judith Matthews (Owner Georgia MH), Jonnie Williamson (Owner Don Vito MH), Wendi Williamson

It’s been a week of exciting competition at the Sydney CDI which included the first Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge in 29 years.

For Wendi Williamson, who is currently New Zealand’s top dressage rider, and one who has competed at a World Cup Final in the United States and many times across the Tasman, it brought a new first . . . her first-ever New Zealand team experience. She provided a solid anchor for newbies, young rider representatives Piper Crake and Samantha Belsham. And while the Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge went the way of the hosts, the week had produced plenty of other learnings.

Chef d’equipe Christine Weal said it had been a fantastic event. “The team bonded really well, having strong support for each other and really brought in the trans-Tasman spirit to the competition,” she said. “Mixed with that was fantastic senior rider leadership from Wendi. Everyone has gotten so well and supported each other.”

The young riders had been “amazing”. “They have been outstanding – they just got better and better and really grown in confidence. The horses were quite green at that level so they have also grown as they have come through the week. For them to have been so close to the European horses and amazing young riders has been unreal. I think the Australian riders didn’t realise how good ours were, so that has been very cool.” The young riders from both sides of the Tasman had certainly forged new friendships over the week.

“It is hard to think it is 29 years since we have had a Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge. Di Saunders and I spoke this time last year about getting it going. It has been hard work, but we have got it done and I believe it will only grow from here.” Christine is hopeful there will be another challenge next year and sometime in the future, the Australian team will come to New Zealand for one.

Piper and Samantha were buzzing after their week-long adventure that included a late night prizegiving and offered a real taste of what international competition felt like. “It has been fun and we have learnt a lot,” said Piper, who picked up two personal bests from her three classes. She appreciated the input from Wendi and Jonnie Williamson who had mentored her and helped in the warm-up.

Samantha Belsham and Donero RH & Piper Crake and Georgia MH

Samantha felt it had been an incredible week at the CDI. She couldn’t be prouder of her horse and the journey to get them both there. “It has been so fun to be part of the New Zealand team. The camaraderie between the riders has been amazing and to meet so many Australian riders was awesome too. Bring on the next one!”

Wendi said while it hadn’t been their best show, Don Vito had tried very hard so she was happy for that. “It has been a very enjoyable show having these young kids with us and making it a lot more fun,” she said. Having the Trans-Tasman Challenge element added a whole new element to the event and was quite different to competing there alone.

Christine felt that while Wendi and Don Vito MH had had a tough lead up to the show missing competitions through to cancellations and the weather in New Zealand, they had still showcased some lovely work. “The horse needed this show to get competition fit so it has been a hard week. I think the musical was a highlight and he was showing he has really good passage and he can really put the lines together, so it is all there.” It was key competitions like this continued for Kiwi riders. “These horses will get more experience at this level and that is something we need to keep doing in New Zealand,” said Christine.

She extended a huge thanks to all those who had travelled to Australia to support the team including Matthews Hanoverians’ Judith Matthews, owner of Georgia MH and Vicki Gibbs who previously owned Donero RH. “We will now get home and reflect and start planning the next trip.”

Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge:
1st Australia (Mary Hana/Ivanhoe, Tanisha Ryan/Prequel, Tia Rose McKenzie/Phenomenon, Rosemary Heagney/MSJ Nemo) 419.287%
2nd New Zealand (Wendi Williamson/Don Vito MH, Piper Crake/Georgia MH, Samantha Belsham/Donero RH) 406.594%

Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH
🐴 CDI3* FEI Grand Prix – 3rd 66.369%
🐴 CDI3* FEI Grand Prix Special – 3rd 64.851%
🐴 CDI3* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle – 3rd 69.165%

Piper Crake and Georgia MH
🐴 CDIY FEI Young Riders’ Team Competition – 4th 66.353% PB
🐴 CDIY FEI Young Riders’ Individual Competition – 2nd 65.794% PB
🐴 CDIY FEI Young Riders’ Freestyle – 5th 69.14%

Samantha Belsham and Donero RH
🐴 CDIY FEI Young Riders’ Team Competition – 5th 65.882%
🐴 CDIY FEI Young Riders’ Individual Competition – 5th 64.618%
🐴 CDIY FEI Young Riders’ Freestyle – 4th 69.685%

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS

THE HORSE DETAILS

The team is grateful for the assistance from Highfields Equestrian, IRT and Equestrian Australian.

 By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison