2026 Livamol FEI Dressage World Challenge (NZL) 26-27 November – Dunstan HorseFeeds NEC Christchurch

The aim of the FEI World Challenge series is to offer athletes who, under normal circumstances, cannot take part in international competitions due to various factors (travel cost and distances for example), the opportunity to compete internationally without having to leave their own country. These “hybrid” competitions are meant as a bridge between the National and first International  level of competition and are meant to help NFs develop the various disciplines in their country. FEI World Challenges exist in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Vaulting, Driving and Para Dressage.

It offers five performance levels and two age groups (12-16 yrs; 16 yrs and older):

•  Intermediate I
•  Prix St. Georges
•  Senior II
•  Senior I
•  Youth
 
Individual Classification:
The FEI Dressage World Challenge offers a World Individual and Regional classification per Level. 
 
Team Classification:
The FEI Dressage World Challenge offers a World Team classification. A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 Team Athletes can be nominated. The Team members’ ultimate results, expressed in percentages, will be added. The results achieved by the three best Team athletes will count for the Team Classification. Scores obtained at higher technical levels will have a higher coefficient, this may impact the overall results and Team members’ selection process.
 
Development of the Sport
The FEI Dressage World Challenge also serves as an educational purpose by linking the competition with the coaching. The Dressage tests are in correlation with the Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the FEI Coach Education System, which is implemented in the same NFs that participate to the FEI Dressage World Challenge.

National Federations that have applied through the FEI Solidarity for an ESEE (Equestrian Sport Educative Event) in Dressage have the possibility to link the competition to the education of their National officials, which is another important tool aimed towards the development of the discipline. 

The FEI World Dressage Challenge is held between the 1 January and the 31 December.

FEI WORLD DRESSAGE CHALLENGE_2026

Click on the link for full document 

Nomination & Entry Timelines

40 horses / ponies plus 5 reserves will be named across the 5 sections

** The selectors request that selected riders compete at the event unless a Vet or Dr Certificate can be provided

Entries:  Will close on (Date TBC)  on Evo Events with Dressage Canterbury Inc entries   
($130 per class plus stabling and other applicable ground fees)

WDC Accepted  horses will get priority covered yards & stabling

APPROXIMATE EVENT Timetable:

Thursday 26^th November  2.30 – 3.00pm: NZ Warmblood Assn Horse Inspection

3.15 = 4.15pm: Official “in arena” schooling. 5.30pm: Draw and LIVAMOL team announcement function

 Friday 27th November:  Arena Familiarization from 7-7.30am  (Outside arena only)

Intermediate I 
International Animal Health Products

Prix St Georges 
Syncroflex

Senior II
FMG

Senior I
Hatton Family (Lyn & Sharon Hatton)

Youth
Quality Presentations

Horse Welfare Partners  
IRT

NZ Warmblood Assn (Best Presented at Horse Inspection) 

2026_WCHA-D_Rules_Mark-Up

Best Presented Guidelines

Challenge Competition Classes:
Livamol Intermediate I -> FEI Intermediate Test – edition 2009, update 2022
Intermediate I 2022

Prix St-Georges -> FEI Prix St-Georges Test – edition 2009, update 2022
Prix St. Georges 2022

Senior II -> FEI Junior Team Competition Test – edition 2009, update 2022
Juniors Team 2022

Senior I -> FEI Children Individual Competition Test – edition 2020, updated 2022
Children Individual 2022

Youth -> FEI Children Team Competition Test – edition 2020, updated 2022
Children Team 2022   

Livamol Int I
Intermediate I 2022

We welcome FEI Level 3 (4*) Ginny Creed from Melbourne as the FEI Foreign judge and are  pleased to appoint as our National Judge to accompany Ginny on the Ground Jury,  Leonie Coker (NZL List A) from Rotorua

2024 FEI Dressage World Challenge NZL 27 Sept 2024

Follow the Zone Rankings here

Spectators are welcome. There is plenty of free parking and there is no admission fee 

There will be a coffee cart on site 

The FEI Horse Inspection confirming “Fitness to Compete” takes place at 4pm on Thursday 26th November  under the watchful eye of FEI Vet & the Ground Jury  

Competition begins at 9am Friday  and will finish at approx 3.30pm with the fabulous prize giving celebrations and Judge Review for competitors 

The digital event programme will be uploaded closer to the event 

FROM FEI Article 1035
Presentation of Horses (edited applicable to this competition)
PR – Person Responsible – usually the athlete

VD – Veterinary Delegate – Official FEI Vet appointed for the event

GJ – Ground Jury (Judges)

President GJ – Col Sunil Shivdas  (FEI Foreign Judge)

1. Horses are presented for Horse Inspections by the Athlete or groom (the
“Handler”) who must be suitably dressed for handling Horses.

2. For all Dressage competitions , the PR must present their own Horse(s) at the Horse inspection, unless the PR has been excused from this requirement in advance by the President of the GJ.

3. Chef d’Equipe (2025 Event is Christine Lovelady) when present, must accompany their team Horses

4. Horses’ competition number must be clearly displayed.

5. All Horses must be presented for the Horse Inspection in a controlled and safe manner. This  requires a bridle.

7. n/a to Dressage

6. Handlers may carry a whip of up to 120cm only, if necessary.

8. No Horse may be presented with its identity concealed in any manner by application of paint or dye for example. This includes paint or dye on the hooves. Hoof preparations that do not conceal any markings on the hooves are permitted

9. Horses are not permitted to wear bandages or blankets/rugs or equivalent.

The Procedure

FEI Article 1036
Horse Inspection Procedure

1. Any conflict of interest must be declared to the President and members of the GJ

2. The VD or a designated assistant will identify the Horse from its FEI or ESNZ ID Book. other approved passports eg NZWBA or ESNZ ID Papers and microchip where applicable.

3. Handlers must stand the Horse in front of the Inspection Panel facing the end of the
inspection track. The VD must walk around the Horse and make a brief visual
inspection. Any other examinations (e.g. palpation or limb flexion) may not be
performed.

Handlers must lead the Horse from the Horse’s left hand side on a loose rein whilst the VD watches the Horse’s gait from the centre of the inspection track. Handlers must:
a) walk the Horse for a short distance;
b) trot the Horse to the end of the track;
c) walk the Horse and turn in a clockwise direction at the end of the inspection track;
and
d) trot the Horse back to the starting point.

4. The Inspection Panel will assess the Horses’ fitness to compete, and decide whether
Horses are:
a) accepted;
b) not accepted (if Horses are unfit to compete); or
referred to the Holding Box (Horse’s fitness to compete is questionable).

Horses that are not accepted at the Horse Inspection, or withdrawn following a Holding Box examination are not permitted to compete in national classes at the same Event site.

5. Note: The specific requirements and level of fitness required to pass Horse Inspections may vary between and within Disciplines.

6. The Inspection Panel’s decision must be based on the opinion of the VD and the
Inspection Panel has the authority to not accept a Horse. In the event of a split decision, the President of the GJ has the casting vote.

7. The GJ must explain the reason for not accepting Horses to the PRs.

8. The Inspection Panel may decide not to accept Horses that cannot be presented within the time period of the Horse Inspection.

9. No Appeal may be lodged against any decision made by the Inspection Panel.

2026 Version: Yet to be released 

The official photographer for the 2026 event to be advised 

The Fetterman Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Prix St Georges by Andrea Raves & Helen Hughes-Keen as a tribute to the wonderful thoroughbred Fetterman who was so successful in the early 90’s in when competed by Andrea up to Grand Prix level in NZL and Australia.

2024 Mandy Macpherson & Frieden Star 

2023- Lynley Stockdale (Leominster) with Andrea Raves 

2022 – Susan Tomlin & Dance Hit SW

2024 Mandy Macpherson & Frieden Star with Helen Hughes-Keen 

Diane Wallace and KP Dexter,  2020

2017  Vanessa Way (NRM Andreas)

2024 Event Programme

Click on the image to read the 2024 event programme which features the sponsors, riders, OC and event background.

Follow this link for all 2023 Zone & World Rankings 

Zone 8 Individual Rankings 2023

Zone 8 Team Rankings 

 It’s a celebration for the Livamol NZL  FEI Dressage World Challenge team with a resounding win in the Zone 8 Challenge on 241.941 pts against Hong Kong (237.673) South Africa (237.353) and Chinese Taipei (233.938).  The NZL team was Gemma Lewis (Canterbury) Ruanuku R INT I, Vanessa Baxter Jazzaway (Nelson) INT I 65.441, Lynley Stockdale (South Canterbury) Leominster PSG 68.088 and Julie Fraser & Fandango (Nelson) PSG 66.324

It was a great Senior II Individual Zone win for Sandy Fryatt (Canterbury) and La Peregrina on 68.939 from a total 41 starters. Other Zone placegetters included a 2^nd place for Paige Fitzgerald & Greenmoor Euphoria in the Youth division and 3^rd places for Gemma Lewis (INT I) Lynley Stockdale & Leominster (PSG), Sandy Houston &  Southwell Razzmatazz (Sen II)

The 2023 NZ Team for the Livamol FEI World Dressage Challenge: Susan Tomlin and Dance Hit SW; Lucy Cochrane and Gymanji; Paige Fitzgerald and Greenmoor Euphoria; Jody Hartstone and Just Vincent.  Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Check out NZL record of results since 2009