2025 Livamol FEI Dressage World Challenge (NZL) 24-25 October @ Marlborough Equestrian Park

2024 FEI Dressage World Challenge NZL 27 Sept 2024

Follow the Zone Rankings here

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.

Intermediate I 
International Animal Health Products

Prix St Georges 
Syncroflex

Senior II
FMG

Senior I
Hatton Family (Lyn & Sharon Hatton)

Youth
Quality Presentations

Best Presented at Horse Inspection
NZ Warmblood Assn 

Horse Welfare Partner 
IRT

Nominations are open on EvoEvents and close on Friday  12th September 

Selected combinations and reserves notified by Fri 19th Sept 

FEI WORLD DRESSAGE CHALLENGE ELIGIBILITY _2025

FEI WDC Selection Criteria 2025

Livamol FEI WDC Selection Criteria 2025  

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to be considered for selection, riders must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. The General Eligibility requirements set out in Article 10 of the ESNZ Special Regulation (National Selection)
2. Must meet the criteria as set out in the current WDC conditions.

Performance Criteria

The Selectors may take into account the following factors:

1. the competition performance record of the rider and the horse as a combination in regards to the Objective;
2. the Horse’s age, temperament, soundness history, traveling ability, acclimatization to a change of environment and whether the horse settles to being stabled;
3. the Horses’ suitability for the WDC and the likely conditions of that event;
4. the rider’s relationships with other riders in the team, as well as with ESNZ staff and other personnel who may be involved with the Event or team;
5. the rider’s conduct and behaviour at previous events, tours and training;
6. the results of any assessments, tests or examinations carried out with respect to the rider or horse, which may affect their ability to perform to their best;
7. the willingness of the rider, the horses’ owner(s) and support team) to contribute positively to the Objective of this Selection Criteria;
8. anything which they consider applicable to their decision, such as those set out in Article 14 of the ESNZ Special Regulation (National Selection).

Selection Criteria

The DNZ National Selectors will make their selections by:

• Reviewing past performances, placings and percentages at the level for which the combinations is nominated.
• Observing performances leading up to and at the WDC event, including the Trot Up. Consideration will be given to the level of competition, the depth of the field at which the result was obtained, consistency of performance, and an improving trend for results produced.
• Assessing relevant form and ability to perform at the venue and on the applicable date.
• Considering the condition and demeanor of the combinations at the Trot Up.
• Taking into account that Scores obtained for the Youth, Prix St Georges & Intermediate I have a greater multiplying coefficient. This impacts the Team overall results, and this influences the selection process (i.e.: Inter I/PSG = % x 1.20; Senior II/Senior I = % x 1.00; Youth = % x 1.10).
• The five performance levels and two age groups (12-16 yrs; 16 yrs and older) reviewed are:
  • Intermediate I
  • Prix St. Georges
  • Senior II
  • Senior I
  • Youth
• The Selectors will make their selection on their overall information at the given time. It may not necessarily depend solely on the ranking of combinations according to scores achieved.

2025_WCHA-D_Rules_Clean

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 dressage Judge Col.Shivi Shindas from India as our Foreign judge and are
very pleased to appoint as our National Judge to accompany Shivi on the Ground Jury Robin Friend
A Level Judge from Wellington Horowhenua.

Colonel Sunil Shivdas served in the Indian Army as a cavalry officer

 for 35 years. His regiment, The 61st Cavalry, is a horsed cavalry regiment whose major role is ceremonial and equestrian sport. He considers  himself extremely fortunate to have had his profession and passion rolled into one. He represented India in Dressage at the Asian Games, has had the honour of being National Dressage Champion and has won numerous international medals in Dressage, Jumping & Eventing. He does not compete internationally any longer. He has over 40 years of contribution to the sport and is presently an FEI L3/4* Dressage judge.

Robin Friend
I am excited to be invited to judge the World Dressage Challenge in New Zealand October 2025,and would like to take the opportunity to wish all competitors and their horses the very best of luck.

I am a NZL A Level judge and frequently judge all levels to Grand Prix throughout New Zealand and at times Australia.

In June 2025 I participated in the Trans-Tasman Exchange programme between NZ and Australia, for the second time judging in Caboolture, Queensland.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of judging different horses and riders while working alongside Australian Judges and the Organising Committee of Dressage Queensland. I found these experiences extremely educational and rewarding to develop connections with other colleagues across the Tasman, and build and develop more depth and capacity to support future judging in New Zealand.

I have ridden and competed on several Dressage horses in New Zealand over the years.

I am the Area Judges Officer for Dressage Wellington which includes the administration and organisation of Judges Clinics for my  area and neighboring areas. This includes liaising with the Educators of DNZ FEI Judges to arrange dates and venues for these clinics. I also recruit and train new judges in the Wellington Area and where I can, ensure there is opportunity for ongoing training.

Digital Event Programme (2024)

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 Friday 24th October under the watchful eye of FEI Vet & the Ground Jury, Col Sunil Shivdas  (IND) & Robin Friend (List A NZL) 

Competition begins at 9am Saturday and will finish at approx 3.30pm with the fabulous prize giving celebrations

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.

2025 Version: Yet to be released 

The official photographer for the 2025 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