Dressage NZ Bulletin Issue 46 October 2020 by DressageNZ Bulletin

Issue 46 | October 2020

FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CHALLENGE Start list announced

Oro Equestrian SOUTH ISLAND YOUNG RIDER

Development Squad

The importance of balance Rider Pilates feature

NATIONAL NEWS

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EDITORIAL

FROM THE EDITOR WELCOME TO ISSUE FORTY SIX OF THE DRESSAGE NZ BULLETIN

ove your horses, have fun and be positive! This is the key Equestrian Sports NZ message not just for this week, for this month or for this season. It is the message for the future.

The Change the Rein campaign is a quest for a positive, welcoming, encouraging and supportive culture in our sport. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in our own world at an event. A smile and a few welcoming words of encouragement can go a long way. We all had our first dressage show at some point, and perhaps we have forgotten how lonely that was surrounded by riders that seemed so confident and knew what they were doing; doing fancy moves on fancy horses in the warmup arena. It was easy to feel invisible. But the campaign goes beyond that. It wants to make it clear to everyone involved that unsupportive or inappropriate behaviour is not normal and not acceptable. This campaign is not just people oriented - extends to our horses too. Who has read the ESNZ policies which are related to behaviour and culture? The General Code of Conduct, Social Media Policy, Behaviour Policy, Drug & Alcohol Policy – all to be found at https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/rules-regulations/esnz-rules/ As members we have a responsibility to support these policies for the good of our sport. Did you know that you can be held to account for the behaviour of your support crew at an event? Not being an ESNZ member does not absolve them from inappropriate behaviour or failure to follow the instructions of officials.

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So do give your fellow competitor a “leg up” if it’s needed. Support the reining in of rubbish behaviour towards people and horses both at events and on the keyboard . Own your own journey and be proud. #changetherein

The DressageNZ Bulletin is the official magazine of Dressage NZ a discipline of Equestrian Sports NZ

Editor: Wendy Hamerton E: dressage@nzequestrian.org.nz Design and Production: www.snaffledesign.co.nz

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS 10

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NATIONAL NEWS

SUE HOBSON ELECTED AS ESNZ PRESIDENT Congratulations to Dressage Board member and National Judges Officer Sue Hobson who was elected as ESNZ President at the AGA on the 29th of September.

he Bulletin caught up with Sue. “Wow” was her first rection. “What a ride I have had over the last three weeks during my campaign for President of ESNZ. I can only say how humbled I was when approached to consider this position and then I have to say I took a while to consider all the responsibilities needed to do a good job as well as continue my role as Judges Officer for Dressage NZ. I had so much support from colleagues and friends during my campaign and it was so very special when the results were announced. I would thank all people who voted as this is so important. It gives all members a chance to have their say on the future. Many people during the campaign emailed or texted me to ask about how I personally felt about the sport and how “grass roots” members can be better catered for. I know this is a major point of concern in all codes.

all disciplines and also more young judges to come onto the panel so work is already underway. Our Officials and Volunteers are so important and work many hours to make the sport happen. One thing I would encourage is for members to get more involved with their own Area Committees and know what is going on in their Area, be able to have their say and strengthen Area level participation. This would be there first port of call to get better communication.

My focus is to encourage everyone to feel comfortable about discussing issues with me and to get to know me so that I can pass on to relevant codes. I can assure you that I will listen, take note, and put forward any points members feel necessary for the future. We are all a “team” and need to work together for the promotion and success of our sport. We have solid performances in all disciplines and we should be working forward towards the same goals” Sue Hobson, President, ESNZ Sue Hobson and Solo who won the both the 5yr old age group champion and National Championship for the Astek Stud Trophy in 2013

Increasing participation and securing more volunteers in the sport is something that I was asked about during my campaign and although this is a world-wide issue (volunteers especially) it is certainly one that we need to address here in NZ as without volunteers there would be no competition. It was pleasing at some recent clinics we took within dressage that we had success in encouraging more people to train as Stewards across OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 7

Photo: Dark Horse Photography

NATIONAL NEWS

INITIATING CHANGE THE REIN A message from ESNZ CEO Dana Kirkpatrick

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It is a quest for a positive, welcoming, encouraging and supportive culture in our sport. The main objective is to create a safe and supportive culture fostered by leaders, management, members, volunteers, parents – anyone involved in equestrian sports. It is clear – unsupportive or inappropriate behaviour is not normal and not accepted.

There are three stages to the campaign: STAGE 1 – Rein it In STAGE 2 – Tighten the Reins STAGE 3 – Loosen the Rein Through a survey and recent feedback from discipline AGMs, common themes have emerged which call for a timely reminder of what we’re here for and how actions and words can affect others (including our horses).

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The attached messages speak to these common themes. There’s a variety of sizes and colours for you to put in your schedules and programmes, print out in A3 and staple around the stables, on the secretary’s door, on the toilet doors or wherever you think they will be seen. Follow this link, scroll down and download the colour or size you are after. www.nzequestrian.org.nz/change-the-rein ESNZ can get 2-4 A2 sized corflutes printed for you to put up around your show by request to nzef@nzequestrian. org.nz. Please allow time for these

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to be done and support them by using the paper printed versions as well. Another initiative from this campaign is the “GameChangers” where we hope people will be encouraged to tell us about acts of kindness or helpfulness that made a difference to someone’s day. If you can keep an ear out for these we will reward them and make sure people are aware of what great people we have in our sport. We would also like your feedback about whether these messages resonate with the people who most need to hear them. Let us know by contacting Michelle at michelle@nzequestrian.org.nz Love your horses, have fun and be positive! Dana Kirkpatrick

Photo: Kampic, Kerry Marshall

hange the Rein is a campaign to drive a conscious change in direction in equestrian sport in New Zealand.

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 9

NATIONAL NEWS

FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED Despite the global situation resulting in many countries being unable to host the FEI Dressage World Challenge this year, New Zealand has forged ahead with an FEI dispensation to utilise home based judges.

Photo: Libby Law

1. Samuel Gradowski-Smith & Heritage Don Quilla

3. Chelsea Callaghan & Sisters II Etta J Photo: Libby Law 5. Rebecca Mobberly & Sayonara FE Photo: Libby Law

2. Claudia Younger & Sandhill Trussardi

4. Tylah Brown & Winslet Photo: Libby Law

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6. Dianne Wallace & KP Dexter Photo: NZEquine

NATIONAL NEWS

EI 3* Judge Mura Love (Canterbury) will be accompanied by Barbara Chalmers (List A) Otago. Both have ridden to Grand Prix level and bring a wealth of knowledge to the event. While numbers in the higher levels may not be as a high as usual, this has presented the opportunity for the event to witness the strongest Youth field ever seen in the history of the Challenge attracting thirteen combinations. Jos Gresham has been appointed Chief FEI Steward, supported by Murray Anderson. Karen Anderson takes the role of Chef dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Equipe to look after the New Zealand team which will be announced after the horse inspection on Thursday. Dressage NZ wishes to thank Dressage Wellington for partnering with this event prior to their Premier League event.

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS - YOUTH CHALLENGE (12-16YRS) Claudia Younger

Sandhill Trussardi & Meissen

Central Districts

Ella Rankin

Donna Hope

Southern Hawkes Bay

Frankie Lawn

Kirkwood Greenlight & Firefly

Taranaki

Grace Purdie

Firebird Five

Waikato

Mikayla Wildermoth

Don Douglas CFH & Thumbellina II

Taranaki

Piper Crake

Glenvar Bramble

Waitemata

Rebecca Mobberley

Sayonara FE

Wairarapa

Samantha Wells

Gangnam Style

Waikato

Samuel Gradowski- Smith

Besonders & Heritage Don Quilla

Waitemata

AUSSIE EQUINE SUPPLIES - SENIOR I CHALLENGE Bronwyn Cooper

Kalimna Prestige

Central Districts

Carol Bloomfield

Tuahu Liquorice

Wellington

Catherine West

Jaidev

Northern Hawkes Bay

Cindy Wiffin

Santana MH

Northern Hawkes Bay

Ella Cooper-Levin

Dapper

Waikato

Gemma Acton

Sunspots Fire and Ice

Auckland

Sherree French

All Fun

Wairarapa

Simone van der Plas

Andante

Wellington

Tania Taylor

STS Danseur AV

Waitemata

Toni Louisson

Back on Track Devonian

Central Districts

Vaughn Cooper

River Jim

Central Districts

QUALITY PRESENTATIONS - SENIOR II CHALLENGE Alix Campbell

Astek Robina

Waitemata

Frankie Webb

Artistry

Wellington

Louise Duncan

Wolkenstein BC

Wellington

Tylah Brown

Winslet

Wellington

Wendy Hamerton

Shadowhunter

Taranaki

SYNCROFLEX - PRIX ST GEORGES Louise Duncan

Northern Ivanthus

Wellington

Kim Schwass

Sparks will Fly

Wellington

Diane Wallace

KP Dexter

Marlborough

LIVAMOL - INTERMEDIATE I Chelsea Callaghan

Sisters II Etta J

Wellington

Liz Hutson

Hapsburg PSH

Wellington

Catherine Tobin

Bradgate Riot Act

Wairarapa

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 11

NATIONAL NEWS

Emily Rother (GER) & Jasper 224 - Gold medal winner of the Children's Individual title at the FEI Dressage European Championships 2020

T A FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS Photo by FEI - Lukasz Kowalski

Earlier this year, the FEI amended the judging format for the FEI Children’s tests to put a greater focus on the riding skills of the Athletes, the use of the aids, precision in the execution of the movements and harmony with the horse.

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o achieve this, the Judges will have different roles depending on where they sit around the arena. Judges on the short side will be judging the technical aspect of the test, execution of the movements, flow of the test, and the Judges on the long side will be judging the riding skills, Riders’ position and seat, effectiveness of aids, Precision, General impression.

These guidelines have been prepared by 5* FEI judges Isobel Wessels and Hans-Christian Matthiesen New Zealand riders and judges will have the opportunity to experience this judging format at the Livamol FEI Dressage World Challenge later this month as the Children’s team test will be used for the Youth Division and the Individual Test for the Senior I Division.

NATIONAL NEWS

Seat • Independent, well balanced, naturally elastic • Sitting in centre/deepest part of saddle, smoothly absorbing the movements of the horse • Correct position of upper body, tall and supple, symmetrical with the horse • Shoulders balanced over hips • Head carried over shoulders with chin level and neck into the back of the collar • Ear, shoulder, hip, heel in vertical line to the ground • Ability to follow the movements of the horse

MINOR FAULTS: • Sitting slightly to one side, • Slightly before/behind the vertical • Slight stiffness of shoulders or back, rounded back, chin protruding forwards • Collapsed hip, slightly crooked • One shoulder higher or rotated against the direction the horse moves to • Chair seat • Fork seat • Rider not sitting into the horse • Round back • Slightly hollowed back with some stiffness

MAJOR FAULTS: • Any of the above taken to extreme • Rider bounces in the saddle, or totally sits against the movement of the horse • Fixed seat or rigid seat • Rider sitting clearly crooked throughout

• Lacking natural body tension so unable to control the horse efficiently with the seat • Rocking motion of the upper body

Legs • Centered under body • Steady and well stretched down with adequate angle of the knee joint and able to hang down naturally at the horse’s sides • Heels to be the lowest point • Thigh rotated in • Inside of calf lying close to and lightly on horse’s side/breathing against the horse’s sides without tightness or grip

MINOR FAULTS: • Legs slightly unsteady • Too much forward or back Lifting of heel to give aid Toe pointed out • Knee momentarily off saddle • Stirrups too short (use of leg is restricted) often chair seat • Stirrups too long (heel is pulled up) often fork seat • Loss of stirrup, immediately corrected • Knee drawn up • Rolling and unsteady thigh position • Major faults: • Any of above taken to extreme • Knee permanently pulled up and off saddle • Knee overstretched and leg forced down - unable to wrap around the horse • Lower legs gripping • Spur in horse’s side or constantly kicking into the horse • Loss of stirrup, not immediately corrected

Hands & Arms • Independent of the rider’s seat • Soft fists soft fingers and wrists not gripping the reins • Hands carried steadily close together with the thumb as highest point • Hands not too high, keeping steady contact with horse’s mouth • One hand down each side of the horse’s withers • Upper arms hanging relaxed, in the vertical, elbows close to the front of the upper body • Straight line from elbow through hand to horse’s mouth • Arms following motion of horse’s head and neck, maintaining elastic contact

MINOR FAULTS: • Hands slightly too high, too low, too wide apart, rotated, busy, not elastic • Open fists, fingers - unable to make an elastic contact • Momentary loss of contact • Elbows too far back, elbows straight, not close to the body • Wrist stiff or turned outwards • Shoulders pulled up

MAJOR FAULTS: • Any of above taken to extreme • Hanging, jerking or pulling on mouth, hands constantly bouncing, pounding, erratic • Major rigidity or tension in arms and hands • Tendency to pull the rein through to one side of the horse’s mouth

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SPONSOR PROFILE

ORO EQUESTRIAN A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Article by Wendy Hamerton Photos by Christine Cornege

The Italian translation of Oro is gold and so it is very apt that the purchase of Oro Equestrian by Clare Austin and her partner Brendon Conwell just over two years ago has been a rewarding investment as they now look to grow NZ Dressage via numerous sponsorship and scholarship opportunites. 14 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

SPONSOR PROFILE

Clare Austin at home in Kaharoa (near Rotorua) with the popular Petrie Dressage Boots

Why Oro? “It was time for a challenge” Clare recalls. “My youngest son Beau was nearing school age. An online business appealed so Brendon and I took a birds eye look across two or three business that looked appealing. ORO Equestrian had the unique element we were looking for, having exclusive rights to import and sell three leading European brands from Europe; Petrie Boots, Anky & BR. The business ticked a lot of boxes for us. ORO Equestrian already had a solid foundation, but we were very excited that it had the scope to grow further. ORO Equestrian has now expanded to include further top brands Equisafety UK, Woodshield Showjumping Poles, NAF UK & WHIS Headsets. You could say we live, breath ORO!”

standard team who we are incredibly proud to support along their journey. They are all individuals with their own dreams & goals. We whole heartedly love supporting Dressage in New Zealand and feel that we are building the dream together!

• Vanessa Way • Wendy & Becki Williamson • Brina Carpenter • Piper Crake • Brea Walker • Team Lodder (Scout & Dannie)

Clare and 'Drew' by Danciano, a rising 3 year old bred by Skyhi Horses

Oro's sponsored athletes “We are very particular who we have on board with ORO Equestrian. We do have some high achievers but character to us always reigns supreme! We certainly have a gold OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 15

SPONSOR PROFILE

and herself. “Our different skill sets complement each other’s to make a successful team. Brendon now also runs the Woodshield Showjumping poles component of the business”.

Clare and Drew sharing a quiet moment together in the stables

A Lifetime of Horses

20/21 Oro Young rider Scholarship Recipients: • Madison Schollum Dressage • Jaclyn Hay Jumping

The Oro Investment “We are certainly making sure that we are investing all the support we get with ORO Equestrian back into the sport with sponsorship of some exciting events coming up! These include Dressage NZ Small Stars Top Ten League, Naming rights for North

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Island Championships hosted by Dressage Waikato at Taupo, Naming rights for the Bay of Plenty Rotorua Premier League, Back into Spring series (class sponsor), Wellington Dressage Show (class sponsor). We have also sponsored a new mounting block for the NEC Taupo and will be supporting trade opportunities at Equifest and the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show” Clare acknowledges the day to day running of ORO Equestrian is a huge team effort between Brendon

“I’m from a non-horsey background but enjoyed incredibly supportive parents who guided me through those early pony years... things most definitely did not come easy but as they say its character building! I have spent some time in a number of disciplines, being an apprentice Jockey in my twenties and some time Eventing & Showjumping too. I ignited my passion for Dressage when there was no longer any one around to put the poles up for me! This interest in Dressage has stayed from the outside of the arena whilst bringing my two boys Cody & Beau to school age. Now with that hurdle achieved I have a little more time to follow my Dressage passion. I have a gorgeous three-year-old purchased from Sheena Ross as a yearling in the paddock. He is by Danciano and was bred by Skyhi Horses. Fair to say I am head over heels in love with him & our bond is very strong. I’m currently preparing him ready for his ridden career and so much enjoying our journey together so that in time we will be ready to go up centre line!” Clare’s enthusiasm is truly evident in all her all-encompassing equestrian world. Dressage NZ welcomes Clare and Brendon from Oro Equestrian as valued partners in our quest for success and enjoyment in all our equestrian endeavours.

SPONSOR PROFILE

Are proud sponsors of the following events...

2020 Oro Equestrian Waikato Premier League Championships 2020 Oro Equestrian Bay of Plenty Premier League Championships 2020/2021 Oro Equestrian Small Stars Top Ten League

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 17

NATIONAL NEWS

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NATIONAL NEWS

A YOUTHFUL VISION OF THE FUTURE Photo by Christine Cornege

The success of the Youth Forum held following the U25 Championships in January this year prompted the Dressage NZ Board to look at ways to increasingly involve younger members in our sport.

he forum demonstrated they have a mature insightfulness and vision for the future. One of the group leaders from the forum, Waikato’s Lucarne Dolley (who is the current U25 Grand Prix Champion) was invited to the September Dressage NZ Board meeting and the ESNZ AGA where youth involvement was a key topic on the agenda. “I was lucky enough to not only be invited to attend the Dressage NZ board meeting, but also the ESNZ Annual General Assembly. It was an eye-opening experiencing, and many thought-provoking topics were bought up throughout the day, with the most exciting thing for me being the ideas surrounding youth in our sport. A talk from Georgia Trent solidified the idea of the importance of youth in dressage, as they are not only the future of our sport but they are willing to wear their hearts on their sleeve in order to see development. She explained that they do this in Netball through a youth committee or board, and after this talk, as well as the youth Forum held in January, I believe this could be a very exciting way to move forward in Dressage also! Exciting times ahead for dressage in New Zealand”

Lucarne

Lucarne Dolley

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 19

RIDERPERFORMANCE HIGH PROFILE

ENGAGING WITH OUR TOP TALENTS

Welcome to our new column “Engagement” where over the coming months I will endeavor to keep you up to date with the performance committee and squad rider activity.

ue to Covid, this winter has been a very different off season for to what New Zealand riders are used to. Although we are living in uncertain times, a lot of us have really enjoyed being able to spend more time at home with our families and horses. We have watched big shows in Europe being cancelled, and wondered if this was going to be a reality in New Zealand as well, but thankfully at the moment, we are lucky to be back out with our friends training and competing again, and everyone seems to be loving it!

Thanks to Lynda Dann, Amanda Condon and Cathy Vennell for all the time that have given putting these camps together run under the Dressage Performance and Development banner. Looking into the future, New Zealand Dressage is in a great position as we have some very talented horses and riders on the

squads which we will be profiling and getting to know over the coming months. Yes, we also have to think outside the square for training initiatives and other opportunities for all riders but the great thing about New Zealand is if we work together and there is a way, we will find it. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the shows.

Dressage NZ is lucky to be supported by some amazing volunteers and Pryde’s Easifeed have put together some great Young Rider development camps in both islands. In all sixty-seven riders attended, more than double previous years. It has been great to be involved with these camps and so many happy kids enjoying dressage and making new friends.

CHRISTINE WEAL

Chair of Dressage NZ Performance & Development Committee. Photo: Libby Law

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HIGH PERFORMANCE

Gaylene Lennard from Waikato

Member of the ESNZ High Performance Futures Squad Who is your squad horse? Jax Johnson, a 10 year old Gelding by the stallion Johnson. Bred by David Woolley of D'Via Sporthorses

How did you get into dressage? After about ten years of an extremely successful showing career, I decided it was time for a change and got into Dressage. It is the best decision I have ever made. I just love the challenge of Dressage.

What is your contribution to your sport? I am on the Committee of Waikato Dressage and the riders Rep for Dressage Waikato; I also help out at shows.

What is your key goal? Competing successfully in Grand Prix, then overseas.

What is one word that describes you? Fussy

Photos: Libby Law

If you could have any four people for dinner who would they be? Well as I don’t cook, so one of them would have to be a cook, Gordon Ramsey. I would do most of the eating and drinking, so would have to be four of my best mates (oops that’s 5 never mind!).

What was your first horse that you found success on and what made it special? I had a very successful Show Hack called EL-Sid having won seven Hack of the Year titles. This resulted in me being inducted into the Horse of Year Hall of Fame. I also competed him in Australia where I also won.

What is your favourite show? The World Cup final, which is the only major international event I have been to.

Who has made a difference in your equestrian career? There have been many people, but for my dressage career it would have to be Vanessa Way.

What is your favourite pearl of wisdom? “Positive thinking lets you do everything better than negative thinking will.”

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 21

RIDERPERFORMANCE HIGH PROFILE

From left: Steph, Becki & Wendi Williamson Photo: supplied

Stephanie Baker Photos: Libby Law

from Waitemata

Member of the Dressage NZ Youth Squad ethic is simply incredible and she not only is an amazing rider and trainer but a great horse woman too! She inspires me daily and I am very grateful to have her as a huge role model in my life!

full time as a groom, rider and stable manager.

What is your favorite show? The Olympics

What is your contribution If you could have any four to your sport? people for dinner who I have volunteered at dressage would they be? Who is your squad horse? Popstar MH, a nine year old gelding by Prestige VDL, bred by Matthews Hanoverians.

How did you get into dressage? I was never interested in jumping at pony club when I was young but thankfully I had Sharlene Royal as my instructor and she inspired me to try dressage! My parents have always been super supportive too.

Who inspires you? My trainer and mentor Wendi Williamson! Her attitude and work 22 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

events by doing a lot of writing for judges which I find is not only a great way to help our sport but a great opportunity to learn from our fantastic judges.

What would you be doing with your life and weekends if you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have horses? I would probably be living at the gym haha! I would be studying and playing another sport like netball (I love competition and training)

How do you fund your dressage career? I fund my career myself by working

Michelle Obama, Dorothee Schnieder, Jay Shetty and Muhammad Ali

One word that describes you? Dedicated

What is your favourite pearl of wisdom? It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter where you are coming from, all that matters is where you are going Never let success go to your head or failure to go to your heart.

NATIONAL RESULTS

Rachel Thomas & Gurteens Velvet

DRESSAGE WITH A BREATHTAKING BACKDROP Article by Joyce Yee Photos by Infinity Images

entral Otago Dressage was very relieved to be able to run it’s seventh competition despite Covids best efforts! The weather gods were not always kind either with strong winds creating some arena havoc. But we’re tough in the south and a fabulous group of riders from near and far attended with horses in superb order. The first ever musical classes to be held were a great hit sponsored by C & C Management Limited who also presented a trophy for the highest percentage in the musicals.

Results

NOVICE & ELEMENTARY MUSICAL FREESTYLE Overall Trophy Winner - Sofia Hviid & Brackenhill Dusk, 1; Jess Bevis & Salient, 2; Tessa Jones & Samson Jones, 3; Pam Thompson & HL Loanly Boy, 4 MEDIUM AND ABOVE MUSICAL FREESTYLE Rachel Thomas & Gurteens Velvet, 1; Jennifer Kendall & Vollrath Liaison, 2

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 23

MARKETING

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! E-COMMERCE TIPS FOR RETAILERS Article by Chanelle Reid, ICE Marketing

Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner! And whilst many of us are wishing for a quick delivery into 2021, there is a lot to be done between now and Christmas if you are in the retail space. 24 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

MARKETING

Here are 5 fantastic ways to improve your online (and offline) sales in the lead up to Christmas!

1. Targeted Social Media Advertising- if you are not familiar with Business Advertising on Facebook and Instagram, you might not be aware how truly incredible the targeting tools are on these platforms! When it comes to advertising you can do mind blowing things without having to spend the big bucks. Talk to an expert (we can help here for you if you need!) about what you want to achieve and let them work their magic for you. An example is, you can target ex-pat Kiwis living all over the world (we know in this COVID environment, they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be home for Christmas this year) who will be shopping online with Kiwi retailers in New Zealand to send gifts to their friends and family. How cool is that!? 2. Send E-mails! If you have any form of database and you are not using it, now is the time to urgently start accessing the addresses in this database and connect with them. Whether it is to send them gift ideas, promote extra services like gift wrapping, free freight or Afterpay options. Staying top of mind is vital during this busy period for people so make sure you are showing up in their inbox! 3. Take a moment to assess previous years (if you have history in business). Review what worked/ sold well, what promotion people engaged with, what complaints people had during the lead up to Christmas etc. What can you improve on from previous years, what can you add into your promotions or service offerings that you know would help your customers out? Put yourself in the customers shoes and consider anyway that you can improve their experience with you and how you can help make their life easier.

4. Give your website a makeover! Investing a little money or time into giving your online shopping site a spruce up before the busy period can massively increase the sales you receive. If you have ensured that you have quality images, up to date product, blogs, an easy buyer journey for purchasing, you will be guaranteed to increase the sales through your site. As we get closer to Christmas, you can put some Christmas theme into your website as well PLUS donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to update your hours leading up to Christmas (if they extend) but also for the holiday season afterwards! 5. Have some fun with it! Many of your customers will be feeling pretty stressed, more so this year potentially, so make sure you are creating a fun environment both online and offline. You can put candy canes or lollies at the counter in the store, send out candy canes with your online orders, have a late night shopping evening with some wine and cheese, run some online specials or 12 Days of Christmas promotions. There are so many ways you can give your customers a fun, hassle free, satisfying, and successful shopping experience.

EQUESTRIAN MARKETING SPECIALISTS The equestrian market is one that requires intimate knowledge and understanding to be able to successfully market people and products. If you are a brand, product, rider, breeder, retailer or coach that needs to capture the attention of an equestrian audience, we are here to work alongside you to achieve your goals. We can help you with: > Social Media Marketing > Marketing Strategy Chanelle Reid

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OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 25

NATIONAL RESULTS

help from Equestrian Entries as to Covid-19 contact tracing and John (Lawson) also wrote a program so that we could determine the amount of people attending in the morning and again in the afternoon. We also shuffled some classes to the afternoon to even up the numbers attending at any one time. Every rider complied by supplying names of their support people which meant we did not need someone on the gate checking arrivals and departures. Our toilets are in the clubrooms and were the only part accessible to riders and others.

Anne Watts & Josephs Dream

THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR AUCKLAND MANUKAU Article by Judy Collin Photos by MAK Images

Organizing a show under Covid-19 Level restrictions

MDG finally held day one of our Dunstan Spring Series under Covid-19 Level 2 restrictions with gathering limit of 100. This show was originally scheduled for 6 September, then postponed to 20 September and finally held 4th October. The postponements were equally frustrating for the OC, volunteers, and the riders as many had a prior commitment when the show did get underway as this meant many refunds to be paid. However, on the plus side, there were many riders only too happy to fill the spaces.

26 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

We split the show and ran it with the gathering limit of 100 people in the morning and 100 in the afternoon. Rider total numbers were kept to approximately forty per session which allowed for one support person per rider plus approximately twenty OC members over the course of the day which included judges, writers, scorers, officials, and volunteers. Riders were asked to arrive no earlier than 1.5 hours prior to their test and to leave the grounds no later than an hour after their last test. Exceptions were made for a few competitors sharing transport. I received a lot of

Pippa, our day Secretary, had two tables – one inside and one outside – so that riders could not get close to her. She enjoyed the fresh air and the view of the arenas! Fortunately, we had lovely weather and not gale force winds. Tests were made available as classes were signed off and those riders at the end of the class were able to pick up their tests. Angela Lloyd offered to scan tests for riders. No rosettes were handed out as this would mean unnecessary congregation of riders. These will be made available at our next show. I do need to give a couple of “shout outs” in this article to the following…Betty Brown rode two horses (four tests in all) then judged in the afternoon AND it was her birthday!!! Carole Davis was also a birthday girl who judged in the morning and then came in and made toasted sandwiches for all the officials and supplied some lovely home baking. Also a thanks to Angela Lloyd who cleaned the toilets every two hours to help us keep everyone safe and healthy. A great Committee made this possible and all contributed to the success of the show. It was very worthwhile going to the extra effort and providing a competition day for our riders who were most appreciative of the opportunity to compete.

NATIONAL NEWS

MARCIA BAYLEY AWARDED ESNZ HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP A lifetime of involvement on and off a horse recognised and rewarded

ressage NZ was gratified to have the opportunity to nominate Marcia Bayley as an ESNZ Honorary Life Member. Marcia is currently an A List Judge, Technical Delegate, a FEI List 2 steward, and national steward. Her ongoing dedication and love of dressage is very evident by the long hours she works in these roles. At Horse of the Year Show, the first light is not daybreak, but the light going on in the modest caravan she calls home for a week. It’s a strong Jed’s coffee as she prepares for a twelve-hour stint as the Dressage technical delegate. But for many of you who haven’t been in the sport as long as Marc, you may not be aware where her wealth of experience originates. She was one of the true forerunners of dressage in New Zealand. She competed internationally for New Zealand on numerous occasions and forged a pathway for many riders to follow.

again on Rubicon in 1997 and 1999, a record only surpassed by Tiny White who clocked up eight titles.

called “The Haig” Marc and Rubicon were regulars entrants in the Prix St Georges.

She qualified Kentucky to represent New Zealand at the inaugural World Equestrian Games in Stockholm in 1990, but due to the prohibitive cost of transporting horses to Europe, she was unable to attend. She was a key figure in a NZ victory over Australia in the first ever official Trans-Tasman test in 1987. With Kentucky she placed third in the Grand Prix class at the Australian Championships.

Since those times not only has she become a well-qualified official spanning several decades, she has served time on the judges sub-committee, been an active member of Dressage Waikato, donated trophies, mentored riders, held clinics and has become one of the most familiar and formidable faces around the Dressage arenas. Deservedly in 2012 Dressage NZ granted her their premier volunteer award, the Fissenden Trophy for outstanding contribution to Dressage.

In the early days of the FEI Dressage World Challenge, was it was sponsored by and affectionately Marcia Bayley (left) with long time friend and dressage colleague Sue Hobson

In 1986 the first ever Grand Prix test was held in New Zealand, Marcia and her dapple grey Kentucky were the illustrious winners. She went on to win the Burkner Medal at the national Championships no less than six times, four years on the trot from 1986 to 1989 on Kentucky, then OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 27

NATIONAL NEWS

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH ISLAND YOUNG RIDER TALENT Article by Tessa Jones & Dressage NZ

Twenty-nine South Island young riders came together recently at the Prydeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easifeed, South Island Young Rider Development Camp.

Tessa Jones & Samson - Winners of the Pryde's Easifeed Young Rider Scholarship for the 19/20 season with sponsor Jonathan McNeill Photo: Mel's Moments

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NATIONAL NEWS

It takes a village to raise a rider Wow, what a weekend we all had, travelling from near and far, gathering together as a community to train with some of New Zealand’s top inspirations. To be able to strive in our sport today, it is really important for us to be able to come together as a community and help each other out when help is needed. This is why I found the Pryde’s Easifeed camp so incredibly useful in every aspect. I am certain that every one of the young riders lucky enough to attend are feeling ecstatic about the future with all this fantastic new knowledge under our belts. In previous years there had been a stricter selection criteria which resulted in about fifteen riders at camp. A Dressage NZ change of policy to be more inclusive and with the help of our sponsors, the gates opened up to all applicants wishing to take advantage of this year’s training opportunity.

Balance & Stability It all began on the Friday night at the Christchurch RDA arena when we gathered for an unmounted physical lesson on strength and stability, working on our cores and practising our squats with Sophie Hargreaves. We had to balance on a yoga ball, jump a pole whilst throwing a tennis ball, use a mini

trampoline while jumping up and down then coming to a sudden halt to help stabilise our balance, play a name game and make new friends while throwing a ball on a wobble board and a wobble cushion. Then the exercises became directly horse related and more scientific. We sat in a number of different saddles in front of mirrors and on sensors which told us where our weight was sitting on the saddle and with a few different simulators we discovered evenly we were holding the pressure on our reins. These sessions really helped to see how the different placements of our weight and our stability were going to affect the horse’s

movements. Thank you Sophie for guiding this lesson and helping progress our seats and balance on our horses.

A surprise guest We were then blessed with the presence of a three-time New Zealand representative in field hockey, Gemma McCaw (yes – Richie’s wife!) for a sports nutrition and wellbeing presentation. We learned what we should put into our bodies 24 hours before our tests and how it would affect our energy and mind stability when it comes to making decisions on the spot. ‘You need to nourish, to flourish’ was the key message.

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 29

NATIONAL NEWS PONY INDIVIDUAL GOLD MEDALISTS Lucie-Anouk Baumgurtel (GER) and Zinq Nasdaq FH

Saddle fitting with Stephanie Bullock

Melissa Galloway and Nicola Maley

Saturday

Sunday

Saturday was filled with new clinicians and different aspects that affect our horses. First it was saddle fitting with Stephanie Bullock where we learnt how to fit a saddle and understand how a saddle should move on the horse; then veterinary talk with Dr Dawne Nairn DVM from Prebbleton Vet hospital who guided us what to do in an emergency situation.

Sunday came rolling in bringing with it daylight saving, so we were all up an hour early out and about doing our chores, getting the job done before the stormy weather could decide whether or not it wanted to pay a visit.

A change of beat with Lauren Haig showed us how to make a musical freestyle compilation by putting different pieces of music together matching the beats per minute to our horse’s footfalls and timing. We then got to meet Amelia Greening for an in-depth discussion about social media and how these platforms can be used to enhance sponsorship and advertising by promoting our equestrian activities both in and out of competition. Lynda Clark, Chair of the Equestrian Sports NZ board joined us for a goal setting session and the new ESNZ campaign called ‘Change the Rein’. We were assigned the task of researching the campaign to ascertain how as individuals we can take part, helping bring the equestrian community closer together. Saturday’s best moments were gorgeously captured by the photographer Olivia Skidmore. 30 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

First up was equine nutrition with Pryde’s Easifeed kindly presented by Jonathan McNeill. This presentation helped us understand how our horse’s nutrition plays a huge role in the

appearance and the behaviour of our horses, and how what we feed them can truly affect them overall. Sheree Murdoch from Finishing Touch Equestrian focused on turnout and presentation, advising what and what not to do before show day. There were false tail and plaits, bringing a beautiful shine to our horses coat, and how to get out the toughest stains from horse’s white socks to bring out their gleaming potential. Katie Fitzsimons and Emily van Herpt with Gemma McCaw

NATIONAL NEWS Jorja Dann & Westbrook Diana Photo: Olivia Skidmore

Amelia Greening giving a talk on Social Media

Training Each rider was assigned two on horse/pony lessons over the weekend with one of ESNZ coaches Nicola Maley and Melissa Galloway. We took away a lot of detailed information from these lessons and helpful tips for how to improve our balance, rhythm, and our energy. We performed our tests for top level judges Mura Love and Jill Husband, who donated their time give us feedback whether it be positive or negative and advise how we could improve these movements for our future competitions. We were very very lucky to be able to receive feedback from these judges and coaches. Sunday’s best moments were beautifully captured by Mel’s moments, including individual portrait photoshoots for each rider and their beloved equine friend. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the clinicians for dedicating their time and expertise to our group throughout the weekend. You opened our eyes to all the many different aspects that need to be paid attention to. None of this would have been possible without our sponsors. Our naming rights sponsor, Pryde’s Easifeed, Rangiora Equestrian Supplies who kindly sponsored the Gemma McCaw talk, Canterbury Equestrian who generously supplied some socks and caps for the organisers, The Cover Queen

who donated three rugs for the top percentage recipients. (they even had a pop-up stand with some of the most gorgeous covers, halters, and saddle blankets to offer). Big Red Stable Snacks supplied treats in our goodie buckets for every rider, Mitre 10 Mega in Rangiora who very kindly donated buckets, sponges, and cleaning brushes for the rider buckets, and Caltex Redwood on Main North Road who very kindly donated $500 fuel vouchers for all the clinicians over the weekend. Our bronze sponsors included Farmlands Rangiora, and PGG Wrightson Rangiora. Thank you all very much for your sponsorship it is very much appreciated. Our catering sponsors include New World Durham street, Corbec, and Bangers ‘N’ bacon. The meals that we received over the weekend were spectacular thanks to you guys, and surely no one went hungry in the process! Again thank you to the organizers of the Pryde’s Easifeed Young Rider Dressage NZ development camp, we could not have done it without you. Lynda Dann and Amanda Condon camp organisers spent a lot of time and effort behind the scenes getting this camp in tip top shape ready for the riders to come along and have a wonderful rider supportive community experience and learning so much at the same time.

Caitlyn Murphy Photo: Mel's Moments

Emily Dennis & Decadenz Photo: Mel's Moments

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 31

RIDER PROFILE

Although just thirteen years old Piper Crake is already making a name for herself on the New Zealand dressage circuit winning Championship titles at the U25 Dressage Championships and Horse of the Year Show as well as many regional and series successes.

32 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

RIDER PROFILE

Piper and Cinders Strike at the 2020 U25 Championships Photo: Take the Moment

iper is based in Helensville, (north of Auckland), where she lives with her parents and younger brother Gibson. She is a Year 9 student at Kaipara College and proving to be multi-talented across many sporting codes from ballet to soccer. However, her main passion lies with horses. I was lucky enough to be able to catch up with this ambitious, young super-star recently to chat about her life and goals for the future.

Piper with Rebel Ricochet & Glenvar Bramble Photo: Hannah Comrie

How did you get into riding? My mum (Misty) has ridden horses since she was thirteen, so I have grown up with them in my life. I got my first pony, Tommy, when I was six years old, and it all just went from there! Although I do a bit of everything with my ponies, I have fallen in love with Dressage and would love to see where I can go within the sport.

Who is your pony power team for the season? My main pony for the season is Glenvar Bramble (Bramble), a 12-year-old English Riding Pony by Glenvar Blue Peter, out of Glenvar Sonata. I also have Cinder Strike (Cinders), a 4-year-old by Golden Strike.

OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 33

RIDER PROFILE

Glenvar Bramble - Novice Pony of the Year 2020

What do you do for fun outside of horses? I am very active, so outside of horses I also dance as well as staying involved in PE at school. In ballet I am currently at Grade 5 and starting to train en pointe. I mainly dance throughout winter while not competing, as I find it helps to build strength and stay fit for riding.

What does a normal day look like for you? My day starts off at 6.30am, which is when I go out to do all my stable chores. I then get ready for school, which starts at 8.45am. When school finishes at 3pm, Mum usually picks me up and we take the ponies to my Grandparents or the track so that I can school or exercise them. We try to be in by 7pm each night, but it all depends on the day!

Who are your biggest supporters?

What are your goals for this season? My goals are to become consistent at Elementary and from there, progress through to Medium with Bramble by the end of the season. My aim is to be scoring around the 67% mark for both levels, as well as hopefully being in the running for the Championship titles at the Horse of the Year and the Under 25 Championships. I also plan to take Cinders out to some small shows so that she can gain some confidence and experience the competition atmosphere.

What are your goals for the future? Short term, I would love to train Bramble to Advanced Medium myself and compete at this level with her. It would also be amazing to have the opportunity to ride some horses, so that I can learn the higher-level movements myself before teaching them to my own 34 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

My long-term goal is to train my own horses to Grand Prix level and compete at the World Dressage Championships and Olympics for New Zealand. I know that it will be tough, but I am determined to get there! I am also hoping to have a career connected with animals once I leave school â&#x20AC;&#x201C; maybe a veterinarian.

I am very lucky to have an amazing group of family and supporters around me. My parents and grandparents are incredibly supportive of what I do and do their best to help me as much as they can. I have two awesome coaches in Sharlene Royal and Christine Weal. They are always super helpful and encouraging towards my riding, providing me with advice whenever I need it. I am also incredibly grateful to have the support of Clare Austin and Hannah Comrie, who sponsor me with their businesses, Oro Equestrian and NZ Supergroom and Photographer respectively. They are both amazing people who put so much into the sport, as well as encouraging me to strive for my own goals.

What is your proudest moment to date?

Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?

ponies. In the next few years, I would also love to get the chance to go over to Germany, where I would hopefully get to train and experience the international circuit.

It is hard to pick one out, but I would have to say winning the Novice Pony Championship at the 2020 Horse of the Year on Bramble. When I got her in 2017 she had done very little dressage, and I have trained her myself to where we are now. It was surreal winning the title, and so rewarding.

It is impossible to pick one! Isabell Werth is a role model for me. She is so consistent and always at the top of her game. I love Sharlene and Christine too - the way they train their horses and coach riders is incredibly inspiring, as well as being so supportive, helping me achieve my own dreams.

NATIONAL NEWS

A CHANGING OF THE FLAG Dressage NZ is pleased to welcome Auckland’s Kate Grantley-Hogg to our team from mid-October as the new Partnerships Facilitator & National Championships Event Director.

s we welcome Kate, we farewell Celine Filbee to whom our sport owes huge gratitude to Celine Filbee who has held the role of Event Director and Partnerships Facilitator for eight years, plus some individual years as event manager prior to that. Who remembers the swimming pool / foot bath at both McLeans Island and Manfeild, the song singing and guitar/ ukulele playing, events running like clockwork.

Celine’s enthusiasm, commitment, can do attitude, management skills, securing sponsors and funding and the accompanying relationships building, and of course cooking skills will be with us for many years to come. She will join us at the Bates Nationals in November as Operations Manager so please take time to thank her for all she has done for Dressage NZ – and for riders, and also take the time to welcome Kate. (L to R) Lizzie Nixon-Pollard, Judy Collin, Celine Filbee & Clare New Photo: Libby Law

Kate Grantley-Hogg I am excited to be joining Dressage NZ as the Partnerships Facilitator and National Championships Event Director for the National Championships which will follow the one to be held in Taupo this November. I will be at this event and look forward to meeting with many of you. I bring with me twenty-six years’ experience in sports production for NZ broadcasters. The majority of those years were spent at Sky Sport as a Production Manager working on both domestic and international sporting events. For the last six years I have been the Sport Production Supervisor, looking after a big demanding Sport Department at Sky. While not a rider myself, I have supported my daughter competing in eventing for many years. My love of horses goes back to my childhood so to be able now to work within the industry and combine my enjoyment of organisation and horses is a win/ win for me. I will endeavour to look after Dressage NZ’s loyal sponsors and to assist Dressage NZ to promote and prosper beyond Covid19 in the best way I can. OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 35

EQUESTRIAN PILATES

THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCE When we discuss balance in horse riding, it can mean many things, staying on the horse during a buck, to hardly shifting with a spook. It can mean the ability to push the hands forward allowing the horse to move freely through the neck with a happy contact.

t can look like a long lower leg and a seat that looks like it is glued to the saddle. It can also look like perfect posture and that rider who simply looks to be whispering to their horse who is traveling rhythmically, working over the back, happy in the contact and supple through the body, pushing from behind lifting the wither. But ultimately it is ensuring that we do not interfere with the horse’s way of going, the ability to stay in balance and allow the horse to carry us easily.

Laura Hayes is an Internationally Recognised Polestar® Pilates Practitioner, Exercise Specialist for Back In Motion™ Physiotherapy & Pilates and Director of Equestrian Pilates® Oceania, based in Dunedin, Otago, NZ. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education in which she majored in Exercise Prescription and Sports Coaching, is an EQUESTRIAN PILATES® Practitioner, Oov® Pilates Practitioner and Ovio® Mindfulness Facilitator. Laura owns 3 horses, 2 of which she competes in Dressage and is an active Volunteer of her local Dressage Group. Photo Credit: Kelk Photography

36 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

We owe it to our horses to be a rider who gives them every opportunity to be able to work in a balanced frame and if we as the rider are unaware or unable to maintain our own balance independently of the horse, then we need to do our level best to improve first and foremost off the horse. This is where working on our own physical fitness, our ability to move freely through the body without restriction with muscles that can both contract and relax when needed to apply aids or make simple corrections to our own bodies to rebalance ourselves is so important.

move and absorb forces, our hips to drape around the horse, our pelvis to sit in a deep and relaxed way in the saddle, the ability to elongate and support our spine through correct core activation & breath, the ability to organise our head, neck and shoulders over our centre of gravity, and ensure we can allow a consistent and pliable contact to the bit, all in an effort to allow our horse to move without restriction and in complete control of ourselves so that we can simply guide our horses through the tasks that we ask of them. Each of these requirements are beautifully met by Pilates and I would love to introduce you to even just a couple of the Fundamental Principles behind the Pilates Method, so let’s start with a discussion about the Pilates Principle of Centring and its relationship to our training and riding of the horse.

The Pilates Principle of ‘Centring’

Why Pilates?

The concept of Centring in Pilates is essentially our ability to control the muscles of the pelvis & abdomen, our ‘core’ and remain ‘centred’ or balanced over our centre of gravity.

There are many types of physical activity but the type we are looking for as riders is something that ensures that we develop muscular endurance, can be flexible, but also strong at the right times and in the right way, that allows our spine to

It is essential that our ‘core’, can both support & stabilise our spine, while also allowing it to move in a controlled and segmental manner while ensuring our pelvis remains balanced and stable. Our seat ‘independent’ of the rest of our body.

EQUESTRIAN PILATES

What is the Centre of Balance?

“The point in an object where its weight is balanced”. Cambridge Dictionary.

The Interrelationship of horse and rider essentially comes down to our ability to work with one another rather than against, therefore, our ability to remain in balance with one another. To understand this relationship a little more let us discuss Centre of Balance in both the horse and the rider.

The centre of balance of the rider.

The centre of balance of the horse.

Centre of Balance of the Rider

Centre of Balance of the Horse

This is generally found just above the pelvis just a little lower than belly button height and coincides with the area of our ‘core’. The centre of gravity of a rider can also be influenced by posture and the build of our individual bodies. We aim to ride in such a way that our centre of gravity is the area from which the rest of our body moves with independence. Once we establish our centre of gravity as a rider, we can further develop our overall posture on the horse by improving core stability, the suppleness of the spine, freedom of movement of the hips and lower limbs.

Centre of balance of the horse can change depending on their posture or level of training. For example if the head is high the centre of gravity shifts back a little, often causing the horse to ‘hollow’. When the head is low, the centre of gravity shifts forward, causing the horse to be on the forehand. In standing and in a horse well educated to carry a rider, this can generally be found just behind and below the wither around the area of the heart.

Now that we know where to find these Centres of balance; let us learn what happens when we add them together… The Horse/Rider Balance Relationship

The effect of the rider’s centre of balance on the horse.

For a horse to move with the utmost efficiency & freedom it must be balanced and ridden in such a way that it can maintain its centre of gravity. The rider should learn to be aware of both their own centre of balance along with that of their mount and learn to influence the movement in a way that prevents unbalancing the horse and instead aids in assisting in rebalancing. Poor rider positioning, a rider who ‘hangs on’ in some way and body position during aid application can all cause the horse to compensate and lose their natural balance. When a horse is struggling to regain balance or even find balance, it will commonly do things such as break pace, ‘run’ forward, suck back, lengthen the neck, bear down into the contact or come above the contact. It is important to not think of these things as faults but instead simply realise that balance has been affected, either influenced by the rider causing the horse to have to shift it’s centre of gravity in compensation or simply by the horse losing straightness through the body and thus offsetting the rider’s centre of balance. OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 37

EQUESTRIAN PILATES

What can we do to help our horses? A simple shift in the position of the pelvis or spine, the position of our legs under us, the weight of our head on our shoulders, will all have an effect on the distribution of our body weight and cause a shift in our centre of balance. Therefore our position in the saddle, our posture, and our own ability to control our bodies against the forces that act upon us in the saddle is so important. Ideally a rider should sit as close to and in line with their mounts centre of gravity as is possible.

Factors that can influence rider posture, positioning, and aid effectiveness are: Rider in front of the movement A rider whose centre of balance is in front of that of their mount will sit in front of the movement.

• Saddle balance • Core stability • Pelvic mobility • Spinal mobility • Hip mobility • Lower extremity strength • Head, Neck and shoulder stability, organisation • Rider tension • Lack of control of own bodies against gravity and external forces • Poor proprioceptive awareness of our bodies

The horse and its own strength, level of training & ability to move in balance Ultimately many of these factors are totally controllable through learning how to be in control and aware of our bodies but if we cannot do that then how can we expect the horse to do the same?

Rider behind the movement A rider whose centre of balance in behind that of their mount will sit behind the movement.

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By practicing moving your body in a way that promotes awareness of your centre of balance off the horse then this increases the chances of you being able to do the same on the horse.

EQUESTRIAN PILATES

Exercises you can try that can assist in determining your own centre of balance. Swiss Ball Superman 1. Lying with the ball under your abdomen, hands on the floor, arms straight with shoulders over the wrists and legs long with toes on the mat. 2. Inhale to raise your opposite arm and leg, pausing for a few moments at the top of the movement to determine your centre of balance. 3. Exhale to return the limbs to the mat and repeat to the opposite side. Note any difference in your stability from side to side.

Swiss Ball Superman

Foam Roller Alternate Arm/Leg Raise 1. Lying length ways on the foam roller. 2. Inhale to raise one arm to the ceiling and your opposite leg up to 90 degrees, pausing at the top of the movement to determine your centre of balance. 3. Exhale to return the limbs to the mat and repeat to the opposite side. Note any difference in your stability from side to side.

Swiss Ball Seated Balance This is best performed in front of a mirror. 1. Sitting centred on the ball, feet on the floor and hands on your hips. 2. Inhale to raise one knee up, lifting the foot from the mat, pausing for a moment to determine your centre of balance while aiming to remain stacked and aligned through the body.

Foam Roller Alternate Arm/Leg Raise

3. Exhale to lower the foot back to the mat and repeat to the opposite side. Note any compensation or imbalance that may have occurred from side to side. Exercise of any kind is best prescribed in accordance with your health, physical limitations, goals, and ability as every â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is different. Please seek the guidance of a fully qualified and trained Pilates or Movement Professional and if you have a health specific condition or injury, gain the approval of your relevant health professional. Swiss Ball Seated Balance OCTOBER 2020 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN | 39

RIDER PROFILE

nya was awarded a University Blue for Equestrian during her Bachelor of Science at Otago University and a Sir Edmund Hilary Scholarship to support her post-graduate research at Waikato University.

Anya, now a PhD student, was the lead author on a University of Waikato study that was recently published following the discovery of a unique group of microorganisms on the surface of mā nuka leaves, which could help explain wide variation in the antibacterial properties of mā nuka honey. Further research expanding on these findings could help develop strategies to maximise the production of high-grade mā nuka honey. This would involve identifying specific

THE SUBTLE ART OF BALANCING STUDY AND SPORT Article by Wendy Hamerton

Anya Noble is competes the ten-year-old gelding Geronimo Star in Medium Tour and waiting in the wings is Kelaray Giovanna, who is training Advanced Medium. So often study takes the place of sport in the lives of young adults. But if they are fortunate enough to have a supportive family and the drive to excel, Anya Noble believes study and sport can complement each other well. 40 | DRESSAGENZ BULLETIN OCTOBER 2020

RIDER PROFILE microorganisms on the mā nuka leaf surface that influence the production of antibacterial compounds.

up to a competition or a research deadline, however, but this is generally short lived and it all balances out in the end.

“I became intrigued by the microorganisms living on mā nuka leaves while undertaking my Masters research,” said Anya.

Sport and academic studies don’t have to be competing priorities. In fact, with the right balance, they can enhance each other. You can learn a lot from studying at university. As much as you learn academically, you learn many important life skills, such as how to engage with different people and audiences, think critically, work independently, and manage your time. These skills complement sport well.

The University of Waikato has a tradition of undertaking groundbreaking research on mā nuka, which is a taonga (treasured) species indigenous to New Zealand, and the distinct attributes of its honey.

Finding the Balance

“I really enjoy having a balance between both my studies and riding. I find it refreshing to be able to switch between the two. It allows me to filter out the stresses of one by absorbing myself in the other. I have to manage my time well and focus 100 percent on the current task at hand, whether it is my university studies or riding. And I find this boosts motivation and productivity.

Edmund Hillary Scholarship that I have been very fortunate to be a part of for a number of years.

There are excellent resources available at many universities to help students balance their tertiary education with the demands of their sport. The University of Waikato in particular offers a fantastic programme called the Sir

My advice to other riders who are balancing sport and academia is to plan everything! And recognise when you need to take a break which is also very important. There is enough time in a 24hour day to do study and sport – it is just about time management, self-discipline, and prioritising. Make every minute count. Ultimately, I believe it is possible to excel at both. There are many highly successful student athletes in New Zealand and worldwide. In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, for example, Australian Olympic athletes took home 82 medals. Student-athletes won 50 of those, even though student-athletes comprised only 55% of the total team.”

Anya Noble and Geronimo Star Photo: Libby Law

Participating in a sport, such as dressage, and being a student is both a challenge and an opportunity to develop one’s leadership and organization skills. It is an extremely rewarding experience that will teach you so many things. My daily schedule involves riding two horses in the morning, university work from 10am - 4pm and then either another ride or an evening gym session. There are times when I have to concentrate my efforts more towards one over the other, such as leading

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