NZ Advanced Title to Field

Pahiatua’s Kallista Field set her stamp on the Advanced level class, unbeaten in both championship tests on her home bred Waikiwi FE (pictured). The former Olympian has nothing left to prove on the 11-year-old mare, who as well as this weekend’s National Advanced title, is also a three-time winner of the Advanced Horse of the Year title.

“I’m not contesting the Horse of the Year title this year,” says Kallista. “I love Waikiwi to bits but sadly she is for sale now. We bred her so she is extra special to us, but being a full-time equestrian means I have to run as a business, and I need the money to keep breeding and bringing on the young horses.”

With the sad loss of the Field’s imported stallion Salutation last year, Kallista now has an exciting stable of his youngsters which she is keen to get out competing.
“They are fabulous, really special,” she says.

At Level 5, it was Auckland all the way, with Ashleigh Williams topping off a fantastic season by taking the National Title on Papanui Don Juan. After missing last season to train overseas, Ashleigh has returned to win the Taranaki Championships, North Island Championships and North Island Accumulator. Andrea Bank and Doringcourt finished just a smidgeon behind to take the Reserve title.

The Level 4 win went to well performed Kylie Baker and Woodsbee, where consistently solid tests proved the key to success, just beating Palmerston North’s Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten.

Making it her fifth prize winning rug for the weekend, Taranaki’s Vanessa Way won the Level 3 title with KH Allandro, well ahead of her nearest rival, Nicola French and Don Freese, who travelled all the way from Blenheim.

Wendi Williamson and her lovely young horse Cortaflex Dejavu MH have been battling it out all season with Anna McIntyre and her young horse Cavort. The pair have been doggedly on each other’s tails each season. This weekend the victory went to Wendi Williamson, cementing a super run this year, with three other regional titles under her belt, including the North Island title. Kieryn Walton and Silver Reef RE won the Level 1 title ahead of Sharlene Storey and Don Zanoni.

Bates NZ Dressage Championships National titles:

Advanced: Kallista Field (Waikiwi FE); Reserve: Wendi Williamson (Cortaflex Watergate)
Level 5: Ashleigh Williamson (Papanui Don Juan); Reserve: Andrea Bank (Doringcourt)
Level 4: Kylie Baker (Woodsbee); Reserve: Julie Brougham (Vom Feinsten)
Level 3: Vanessa Way (KH Allandro); Reserve: Nicola French (Don Freese)
Level 2: Wendi Williamson (Cortaflex Dejavu MH); Reserve: Anna McIntyre (Cavort)
Level 1: Kieryn Walton (Silver Reef RE); Reserve: Sharlene Storey (Don Zanoni)
2011 Astek Stud Young Dressage Horse Champion: Dante MH (Casey Johnson)

Source: ESNZ

For more results from the New Zealand Dressage Championships click here.