Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
New Zealand’s sole FEI World Championships dressage representative Wendi Williamson feels she can almost heave a sigh of relief. The plane tickets are booked for both her and Don Vito MH, their training is continuing well and her fundraising campaign starting to move . . . but most importantly, Junior as her beloved equine partner, is feeling the best he has in a year-and-a-half.
His hoof issue is now under control and excitement is building. “I am really looking forward to going back to Europe and looking at the sport and just being amongst it,” says Wendi, an environmental geologist from Waimauku. “She’s been there before and can’t wait to soak up all she can in the home of dressage.
Junior is set to fly out on July 15 and will head to Hagen, in Germany, just a couple of hours from Aachen. The challenge has been for Wendi to find somewhere for her and groom Madison Schollum to stay, in what appears to be a popular town to visit during the European summer. While in Hagen she hopes to train with Huburtus Hufendiek, a German trainer she has sporadically worked with for nearly a decade.
Earlier, Wendi had resigned herself to not going to Worlds, but after giving Junior five weeks off, then introducing a new shoeing regime and a little encouragement from husband Jonny, she changed her mind. “Jon said I may regret it if I didn’t go if I had a fit, going horse and nowhere to go in a couple of months’ time.”
She can’t wait to be part of a bigger team. “The eventing and showjumping is always very exciting to watch and it will be a real buzz to be part of the wider New Zealand team.”
As she counts down to D-day, Wendi is concentrating on training and her all-important fundraising. “It is amazing and a very special thing for equestrian sport in New Zealand to have the three disciplines at the championships, so being part of that is an honour.”
A fundraiser for Wendi and Junior is being held at the Bartley Riding School in Whitford on Friday (July 10). Spectators will have a chance to see a masterclass from the combination in training and warmed up by high performance dressage manager Christine Weal. They will also perform their World Championships freestyle to music. Up-and-coming youngsters Piper Crake and Samantha Belsham, who this year represented New Zealand in Australia, will perform a pas de deux. There will also be trade stands, raffles, wine, cheese and plenty of socialising to be had!
Click here to Register here for tickets!
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
