from Manawatu Standard (dated 24mar11)

Rider Julian Wood is hoping his training in German equestrian circles will lead him to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games.

Eighteen-year-old Wood started riding at the age of seven, training with Rob Reid of Highdel Pony Stud on Halcombe Rd. He joined the Stanway Pony Club and at age 12 was a member of the Manawatu/West Coast junior dressage squad.

His riding caught the attention of Margo Bebb, from Tielcey Park.

He rode in the World Dressage Challenge for Tielcey Park at the age of 13, placing 4th in the Asia Pacific region.

This led him to Germany to train with a representative young rider squad.

His ability and passion for riding saw him become a professional rider for the JK Holsteiner Stud in late 2007 – at the age of 14.

Wood finished boarding at Hato Paora College and continued his education with the support of the NZ Equine Federation under the umbrella of exceptional sports with the New Zealand Correspondence School, while learning to break in horses, supervise the service of mares, mare insemination and semen freezing along with dressage training.

In 2009 he moved to Awakino Estate, property of German philanthropist Karl Reipen, and became one of three stable riders riding the imported stallions. Wood's mother Susan describes the Awakino Estate as absolutely beautiful.

"It is very remote with only satellite communication – but just beautiful."

Reipen's name is well known in the equestrian world and for his philanthropy.

While working at Awakino, Wood competed throughout New Zealand including dressage nationals, Horse of the Year and Showfields, winning national titles.

Last year he trained with Reipen's daughter at the Rytherhof Stables in Dusseldorf, Germany.

His most recent success was in the New Zealand Young Rider Dressage Champs in Feilding in January 2011.

He won the Level 4 Champion riding Awakino Banesto, Level 3 Champion riding Awakino Rubin Hit and the Kaye Fissenden Young Rider Memorial Trophy for the highest points awarded in a dressage test.

In the same week Wood competed at the Central Districts Dressage Championship but suffered an injury when dismounting from the more than 17-hand Rubin Hit.

He went to hospital in the morning and returned in the afternoon to continue to compete.

He went on to win the Reserve Champion level 4 on Awakino Banesto, Young Rider Champion of that show and the Jan Morris memorial trophy for high points young rider overall.

The Awakino stallions have all returned to Germany and Wood is currently on holiday until the end of April when he leaves for Germany again.

He will be based in Krefeld, near Dusseldorf, where he will be starting his three years of study (all in German) to become a licensed professional dressage trainer and rider. He is looking forward to being reunited with Awakino Banesto.

Wood wants to return to New Zealand to train young riders.