Back to News NZ edges out Hong Kong in close FEI World Dressage Challenge Final December 11, 2009 courtesy of ESNZ Dressage New Zealand has won the FEI World Dressage Challenge, for the second consecutive year, narrowly edging out competitive scores from Hong Kong. The New Zealand team of Andrea Bank (Doringcourt), Susan Tomlin (Domino MH), Christine Weal (Landro-L) and Jody Hartstone (Marceau) managed to squeak in with a final score of 200.13, just a fraction ahead of Hong Kong's 199.67. The NZ team was supported by EquineNZ of Otorohanga. Andrea Bank posted the team's highest score of 70.14% with her stallion Doringcourt, followed by Tomlin on 65.52%, then Weal on 64.47% and Hartstone on 64.08%. It was just enough to give New Zealand the lead - an awesome victory given the consistently improving performance of the other Zone 9 nations involved (Chinese Taipei, China, Hong Kong, Philippines). The win was notable given that two New Zealand team members rode Prix St Georges Level, one Medium and one Elementary, whereas closest rival Hong Kong selected two Preliminary and two Elementary Level combinations. "It is harder to score higher percentages at the higher levels, so New Zealand really should be very proud of its achievement," said international judge Peter Holler. The FEI World Dressage Challenge has over 50 countries participating. Internationally experienced FEI judges travel to the individual countries to judge this competition, and also give the riders a clinic to teach them the art of dressage. Each group of countries is judged by the same ground jury. Preliminary Challenge Gigolo (Never Never/Anamour/Ramzes II) Chanelle Walsh Owner Judy Alderdice. Breeder Jenny Laycock. NZ Warmblood Assn. Elementary Challenge 1st Andrea Bank - Doringcourt (Dressage Royal/Gluckspilz) Imp from Germany 2nd Abbie Deken - KH Ambrose (Anamour/Winterkoenig) Breeder Karaka Hills Sporthorses 3rd Susan Tomlin - Giusto MH (Gymnastik Star/Graf Landau/Winterkoenig) Breeders Matthews Hanoverians 5th Barbara Clarke - Alexander W (Anamour/War Hawk II xx) Breeders Shane and Leanne Smith 6th Kellie Hamlett - McDreamy (Dream Boy/ Dynamit/ Aureate II xx) Breeder Tracey Jarman Hatton Horse Floats Medium Challenge 1st Susan Tomlin - Domino MH (Dream Boy/Anamour/Weltmeyer) Breeders Matthews Hanoverians 3rd Chelsea Thom - Ananique (Anamour/Winterkoenig/March Legend xx) Breeder Tina Thorowgood 6th Britta Pedesen - Adlephi (Anamour/Crown Lease xx) Breeder Kathy Scott 7th Jennifer Sim - Weltmeister (Worldwide PB/Voltaire II) Breeder Adlou Farm 8th Rachael Gillon - Ansome (Anamour/Aythorpe xx) Breeder Tina Thorowgood. NZ Horse and Pony Advanced Challenge 1st Aliesha Moroney - Heatherton Park Ciro Imp.( Contango II/Jaguar) Breeder Heatherton Park 2nd Charlotte Moss - Landina II Imp. (Landetto) 4th Amanda Berridge - Volte SL (Voltaire II/Pats Victory xx) Breeders Seattle Lodge Stud and Josie Harley 5th Andrea Bank - Limonit Imp. (Lancier/Weltadel/Weltmeyer) Owners Ad Astra Hanoverians 6th Catherine Scott - Aspiration (Anamour/Bletchencore II xx) Breeder Jennifer Veitch 7th Cassandra Dally - JD Wainui (Weltmeyer/Northern Kaverllist) Imp. Breeder Danielle Harvey 8th Jacqui Thomson - Weltstar (Worldwide PB/The Joker xx) Breeder D Hislop Prix St Georges Challenge 1st Wendi Williamson - Watergate (Washington DC/Mt Everest) Breeders Phil and Anne Robinson 2nd Christine Weal - Landro L (Landadel/Grande/Ferdinand) Imp. Breeder Helmut Volger 3rd Jody Hartstone - Marceau (Marcodeur/Angelino) Imp. Breeder Karl Schmid. Owners Mrs E Mortimer and Jody Hartstone 4th Karen Trotter - Flamenco G Imp. (Florestan I/Ehrentanz) 5th Caroline McCree - As You Do (Anamour/Urban) Breeder Caroline McCree 6th Liz Hutson - Knavish Trick (Gruenhorn du Trichon/Le Fripon xx) Breeders S & J Preston 7th Kate Klingender - Adler (Anamour/Sovereign Dynasty xx) Breeders John Holmes and Kate Klingender