By Diana Dobson

There are plenty of smiles from the big dressage title winners at the NRM Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

Vanessa Way (Taranaki) and her lovely NRM KH Allandro have already secured the intermediate 1 and advanced freestyle titles, with Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) and Cortaflex déjà VU MH reserve in both divisions.

However, Way and NRM KH Arvan had to settle for second behind Bill Noble (Waikato) on Airthrey Highlander (owned by Matangi’s Linda Moughan).

In the level one pony, Sarah Scott (Whangarei) has bagged a title in her first year at HOY, winning both rounds on Thumbellina II while the very versatile Claudia Hurley (Patea) was runner up aboard Rosewood Classic Fame.

Dressage sport manager Wendy Hamerton says it's rare for these youngsters to all come together to compete, so is a real treat for all.

In the level two, Alena Dorotich (Auckland) and Ngahere Romeo had an edge over Hurley, who again had to settle for runner-up with Skibbereen Kentucky, but going into the final class, it could have been anyone's title.

Right through to fourth place, the youngsters were averaging 65%, which pleases Hamerton a lot.

Dressage Pony of the Year belonged to Jordan Giltrap (Oakura) on Celtic Limelight with her first title at HOY. She's often been so close, and to finally get that top title was an emotional moment for the youngster.

Tracy Smith (Hamilton) and Lord Louis took out the level one Horse of the Year title with Jutta Rosenblatt (Wanganui) heading home the Level two Horse of the Year class with Vollrath Lauretta. Both classes were hotly contested by many combinations, who have been very close all season.

Hamilton lawyer Aliesha Moroney may have been away from the sport for a few years but who would have known with her super win in the Level Three Horse of the Year title class with Sinderella FE.

Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) and her German import Furst Fellini came out trumps in the very tight Level Four Horse of the Year class.

Penny Castle (Palmerston North) and BL About Time remained unbeaten through all tests at the event, giving them the Level Five Horse of the Year Title.

Those combinations doing their tests in the Land Rover Premier Dressage Arena often face their biggest challenge from the atmosphere at HOY.

“It is the biggest they encounter all season,” says Hamerton. “It is good opportunity for them all.”

She is very happy about both the quality of horses and riders coming though.

New Zealand was one of the first countries to use the new FEI introduced intermediate level – a stepping stone between Prix St Georges and Grand Prix.

Results -

Grand Prix Special: Bill Noble (Waikato) Airthrey Highlander.. Reserve: Vanessa Way (Taranaki) NRM KH Arvan.
Grand Prix Special National Class: Lynley Stockdale (Waimate) Komplete Kaos 1, Jayne Craike (Taupo) Papanui Showfields Crusader 2..
CID2* Intermediate B: Penny Castle (Palmerston North) Magnus Spero. Reserve: Abbie Deken (Oakura) KH Ambrose.
Advanced Horse of the Year – Advanced Plate:: Vanessa Way (Taranaki) NRM KH Allandro. Reserve: Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) Cortaflex déjà VU MH.
Level 5 Horse Horse of the Year: Penny Castle (Palmerston North) BL About Time. Reserve: Otillie Upshall (Rotorua) Regal Xavier.
Level 4 Horse of the Year: Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) Furst Fellini. Reserve: Kaye Asham (Awanui) Dante MH (owned by Matthews Hanoverians).
Level 3 Horse of the Year: Aliesha Moroney (Hamilton) Sinderella FE. Reserve: Nicola French Rubiks Cube II
Level 2 Horse of the Year: Jutta Rosenblatt (Wanganui) Vollrath Lauretta. Reserve: Christine Weal (Te Awamutu) Stoneylea Lord Locksley.
Level 1 Horse of The Year: Tracy Smith (Hamilton) Lord Louis. Reserve: Kaye Ahsam (Awanui) Decadance MH.
Level 3 Pony of the Year: Jordan Giltrap (Taranaki) Celtic Limelight. Reserve: Rebecca Donovan (Kaitaia) Whistledown Kristopha.
Level 2 Pony of the Year: Alena Dorotich (Auckland) Ngahere Romeo. Reserve: Claudia Hurley (Patea) Skibbereen Kentucky.
Level 1 Pony of the Year: Sarah Scott (Whangarei) Thumbellina II. Reserve: Claudia Hurley (Patea) Rosewood Classic Fame.

ends