2006 New Zealand Dressage Championships

First Shots Fired at Dressage

March 6, 2006

Raglan horsewoman Jody Hartstone and her 19 year-old imported Holsteiner stallion Landioso threw down the gauntlet on the first day of the Bates National Dressage Championships, at the National Equestrian Centre, Taupo.

In the FEI Intermediate II, the pair scored 61.06%, beating current Horse of the Year Vincent St James, ridden by Bill Noble ( Ardmore ), on 60.89%, and Mandy Littlejohn (Wanganui) on Charlton Highbrow with 58.94.

At stake for these riders and others in the advanced classes this weekend is the possibility of gaining a certificate of capability to be eligible for selection for the World Equestrian Games in Germany in August. Today (Friday), the Lion Foundation Grand Prix will be judged by Stephen Clarke (GBR), an FEI Official International Judge – who will officiate in Germany at the world titles – and his assessment will be the key to a qualification.

Young rider Amanda Goldsbury (Hawke’s Bay) continued her winning ways with Glenturret, with a win in the Advanced 6.2 class, from Blenheim rider Angela Fergusson on Monique III.

The championships continue today with the finals of the season’s challenges at all levels, followed by a Golden Jubilee dinner celebrating the 50 th presentation of the country’s top dressage award, the Burkner Medal, which has attracted most of the former winners, while Saturday is devoted to national titles.

Related Links
Hartstone, 2006 New Zealand Dressage Champion on her “Professor”
First Shots Fired at Dressage
Long Trip Worth the Effort
Top Programme at New Zealand Dressage Championships
Golden Year for Dressage in New Zealand