February 27, 2006

Bill Noble and Vincent St James

Next weekend's Bates New Zealand Dressage Championships in Taupo will showcase talented riders from a variety of backgrounds, including former showjumpers and eventers who have switched discilpines.

One young man who has turned from show jumper to dressage rider - he was a Pony of the Year winner some years ago - is David Nickalls of Putaruru. Nickalls is riding the four-year-old part Clydesdale stallion Airthrey Highlander, and is mightily impressed with the horse which is out of a Coober Prince mare.

"He's the only four-year-old to qualify for three national titles - the dressage, the show jumping and show hunter and he was second in the last."

Nickalls spent time training in a show jumping yard in Holland, which included regular dressage lessons and he's putting that experience to use in training Airthrey Highlander - and enjoying it as a challenge.

"When you know you can go out there and be successful, the drive is there," says the engineering apprentice. He comes from a well known family in the horse world, his late father the trainer of the Waikato Pony Club horse trials team for many years, his brother Andrew, a leading young farrier who lives in the UK and has been NZ team farrier at major international events.

Some years ago, Ottilie Kawabe's name suddenly emerged as a contender for a New Zealand dressage team, although she had not competed in this country. Based in England as a teenager, she enjoyed some success in what is known as the "small tour" events, just below top international level. Now her parents - her father is Japanese, her mother Australian - are settled in Rotorua and Kawabe is married and living in Auckland and is rekindling her dressage career.

Perhaps one of the most exciting features of the championships for the future of the sport is the high number of young riders now in open competition ... once thought of in this country as the equestrian activity for those who were either too old or too scared to jump, dressage is growing fast and pulling its adherents from all age groups.

Kallista Field (Pahiatua), who competed for New Zealand at the Sydney Olympics, played a role in this, demonstrating that dressage was cool for her generation, and anyone with the determination and the talent could get to the top. Now Kallista, one of the most experienced in the sport, is being succeeded in the youth ranks by the likes of Amanda Goldsbury (Hawke's Bay), Emma Malcolm (Nelson), Brigette Learmonth (Kumeu), Sarah Wilkinson (Kaukapakapa), all of whom are capable of giving their elders a run for their money at Taupo.

Participants come from a wide spectrum ... ex-air hostess Vanessa Way (New Plymouth) who gave up flying the skies for training horses, ex-Olympian Margs Carline Rotorua) who was in the Seoul three day event team and is now farming, Jenny Scotter (Christchurch) who juggles a scientific research career with horses and singing, Gretel Weber who is an equine feed specialist.

Some make their living from horses and riding, like Athens Olympian Louisa Hill (Clevedon) or Bill Noble (Ardmore), whose wife, Felicity, a nurse is also competing.

Former champions such as Gaye Withers (Hawke's Bay) and Sally Field-Dodgson (Christchurch) are back to try for more honours. Fiona Fraser (Auckland) International groom to Olympic and world champion three day event horse Ready Teddy, now in the police, is riding one of the young dressage horse entries. Some are like Beth Bielski (Hawke's Bay), enjoying dressage because it keeps them riding as they reach the golden age.

All these riders and more will be competing for New Zealand titles in all grades from Novice to Grand Prix, as well as the finals of the seasonal Challenges. Social events include a special Golden Jubilee Dinner, celebrating - with many of the former winners - the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the supreme accolade, The Burkner Medal. Sunday's young dressage horse championship and the Lion Foundation Grand Prix Freestyle competition will be followed by a Masterclass with leading young German competitor Hubertus Hufendiek.

More:
• Leading UK dressage judge to hold NZ clinic
• Top level reunion at NZ dressage champs