Putting on the Ritz By Jutta Rosenblatt, May 2002 Dressage competitors in New Zealand are not a very spoilt lot. Most of us are used to draughty sheds, BYO foods and somewhat uncomfortable conditions for riders, especially at the smaller shows. That’s why you think you’ve come to the wrong place when competing at the Wanganui Dressage Tournament. This show features every detail of a major happening, including a VIP tent. – Only that at Wanganui everybody is a very important person. The tent looks just like the judges’ tent at other shows with finger food and delicatessen lovingly arranged on big platters. They also have a TV screen with non-stop dressage and stallion videos on display. You can sit down and enjoy your hot or cold drink together with the food and watch the videos, chat to fellow competitors or even to the judges. Because there is no distinction between “them” and “us” at this show. All this is offered to everyone at the show absolutely free! But wait, there is more to it than creature comforts for the two legged: the horses are having a ball, too. For example you won’t find rope arenas at the Wanganui Dressage Tournament - pipe or wooden railing for all of the four arenas. Plenty of parking and working in space make it ideal to take a young horse and a range of classes from Training to Open Medium attract an array of horses and riders from a wide range of levels. The prospect of very good prize money makes everyone try that extra bit harder, and the special feature price for “highest score of the day” is an incentive for encouraging and supporting excellence. This show is a family affair. Pam and Steve Roberts are hosting the annual event at the Wanganui Racecourse with their daughter Mandy Littlejohn lending a helping hand between looking after her two young girls and competing successfully on her warmblood gelding. In its fourth year now the show is becoming more than an insider tip and with around 70 competitors on the day the number of initiated riders is steadily growing. Next year Pam is planning to hold it on a Sunday so even more people can take the opportunity to come and compete at this little big show full of highlights and optimum conditions. Put it in your diaries now for a Sunday in late October 2002: Come to Wanganui – it’s well worth the journey!