Not even outbursts of torrential rain could dampen spirits at the Bates New Zealand Dressage Championships. The event was an outstanding success, with new venue Manfeild Park in Feilding getting a universal thumbs up.

 

 New Zealand’s top dressage combinations provided plenty of action for the approximately 800-strong audience at Saturday night’s evening extravaganza. The top Grand Prix combinations saved their best until last, with some of the weekend’s most exciting work thrilling the spellbound audience. In the end, Vanessa Way and KH Arvan’s early lead proved too good to catch and the pair were crowned National Grand Prix Kur Champions in front of a screaming crowd. Penny Castle and Gymstar One, winners of the previous days National Grand Prix Championship and Burkner Medal had to settle for second this time.

 

Former Otago rugby player and now professional opera singer, Jud Arthur was a standout of the evening – his rich deep voice and persona holding the audience spellbound. The stadium erupted into applause when he rode in on Betty Brown’s Kinnordy Gym, theatrically dressed in a cape as he rode beautifully around the arena while performing.

 

A showcase of stallions from the Dressage NZ Stable of Stallions was a huge hit, along with a display from Kapiti Vaulting Club. Hester Guy Catering did a superb job of catering the evening function, with many praising the evening as ‘even better than Equitana and HOY‘!

 

International judges and guests were incredibly impressed by both the event and the venue – even Jud expressed an interest in returning next year and said the experience may just nudge him that much closer into getting back into horse riding!