Dressage Canterbury

10/09/2026

Congratulations to all the riders from the weekend who gave it their best, even when the weather made it challenging! Here are the top riders on the Series table after Day 1 of our Dressage Canterbury Spring Series:

Non Graded Intro
1. Nova Williams Jenks
2. Indianna Usherwood Emoji Master
3. Ruby Monds Hazel

Non Graded Prelim
1. Wendy Smith Galaxy Special Reserve
2. Nicky Richman De Novo REQ
3. Larissa Taylor WPS Victory

Non Graded Novice
1. Rachel Hogan Sisters II Secrets Out
2. Rebecca Edwards Ngahiwi Aramis
3. Greer Hancock Wickham Parks Miss Zambuka

Level 1 Prelim Horse
1. Shan Edwards Fancy Xtreme
2. Kay McEwan Concerto

Level 1 Prelim Pony
1. Jemima Kippax Jennazelle Magic Mike

Level 2 Novice Horse
1. Sophie Griffith Rokeby Barcia
2. Natalie Gameson Tanzi WSH
3. Helen Williamson Stoneylea Don Alejandro

Level 2 Novice Pony
1. Sophia Kingan 2 Toned Blue
2. Chelsea Pearce Aschbrooke Baron

Level 3 Elementary
1. Shannon Brien SWE Danciera
2. Lulu Maley Astek Galahad
3. Anne Cochrane Fun Times

Level 4 Medium
1. Mandy Blokland TE Florentina
2. Rebecca Thomas Skyhi Malachi
3. Kathryn Brough Haupouri Hokey Pokey

Level 5 Adv Medium
1. Sophie Griffith Hanna Favorito
2. Jemima Seddon-Smith Redwood Pinotage
3. Helen Egan BV Sunrise

Level 6 Advanced
1. Candice Nichol Falcon
2. Lorraine Ward-Smith Fernlea Diamond Hall
3. Cherie Pearson Dulcet

Level 7 Small Tour
1. Sophie Griffith Jackie O DW
2. Fiona Sharp Fonzarelli
3. Lynette Wood Fernlea Don Reveille

Level 8 Med Tour
1. Lynley Stockdale Leominster
2. Sophie Griffith Zodiac DW

Level 9 GP
1. Kirsty Schist Epiton MD

08/09/2026

Thank you to our lovely members that came and stashed away the arenas last night, so nice doing it in the warm sun with a few doggo's running around having a blast.

Lets all do it again in a few weeks time, it will be a quieter weekend with Springston Trophy happening that weekend down in Ashburton, so if you are looking for a nice quiet competition day to get yourself going for the season, come along to Day 2 of the Spring Series at Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch Sunday 4th October.
https://www.evoevents.co.nz/event/2135888507

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

Dressage Canterbury has signed up with Healthy Horses Inside Out
to help us fundraise for our group.

Their fundraising programme is designed to help us reach our fundraising goals, one of which is to purchase some fabulous plank arenas in the near future, our poor old (and I mean OLD!) poles are getting quite tired.

Healthy Horses Inside Out products are high-quality equine health and wellness products and they have a great range to help every horse, and by being part of this programme you will get a 5% discount off your purchases.

The more our members, family & friends purchase from HHIO and use our exclusive code, DRESSCAN, the more product Dressage Canterbury receives. Each exclusive code gives 5% off HHIO product (excludes pellets + feeding accessories). Every $2 you spend, $1 goes towards HHIO product for Dressage Canterbury to use for event and spot prizes, fundraising, auctions or volunteer thank yous.

Get on board and help us to help you, check out their website today!
https://www.healthyhorsesinsideout.co.nz/shop

07/09/2026

ARENA PACK UP FROM WEEKEND TUESDAY 4.00pm ANY HELP MUCH APPRECIATED!!

07/09/2026

Great job everyone that put on their brave pants and came and competed yesterday! We were lucky with the weather in the morning nice and cool and no wind, but a few did get wet as the afternoon continued, excellent resilience was shown to ride through it, a much needed trait for New Zealand conditions!

Our wonderful all weather surfaces at Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch mean we can carry on whatever the weather, thank you to the NEC grounds team for all your hard work, you could hardly tell 800 riders had been galloping around all week at the schools event!

We ended up leaving the arenas as every one wanted to get home and out of the wet at the end of a long day, so we do have that last job of putting the arenas away to do. We have our tractor drivers available at 2 pm tomorrow or 4.30 pm, what suits people best? Please comment below if you can come and help and what time works for you so we can make a plan of attack.

Once again many thanks to all the people that made the first of our Spring Series a successful one, entries will be open for our next October day in the next few days.

05/09/2026

Once again a huge thanks to the volunteer team that set up the arenas this afternoon in just over an hour, many hands make light work! congratulations to Lorraine Ward-Smith who won the draw for the Team Pearson Equestrian Therapy rug treatment, Archie might be fighting her for it too!

Just a heads up there have been quite a few scratchings today due to the forecast so the draw has just been updated and sent out to riders again, please check your times and be prepared to ride earlier if the weather isn't our friend tomorrow.

03/09/2026

Unfortunately you might need to pack a raincoat on Sunday, joys of Canterbury Spring weather! At least auntie niks cafe will be there to supply hot drinks and eats for everyone.

Writing for a class might be a good way to stay dry, thank you to those that have already helped with this, it really does take a village, we still have these spots to fill:
Arena 4: 8.30-11.08
Arena 5: 10.10-12.10

Let's hope our photographers can keep their cameras dry and can capture you starting out on your new season adventures:
Tarsh Harris Photography – www.tarshharrisphotography.co.nz
Olivia Skidmore – www.oliviaskidmorephotography.co.nz
Sarah Rowbottom – www.sarahrobothamphotography.com

For our newer riders the ESNZ membership/registration system can be confusing, if you are still unsure if you have it right for this weekend and the season ahead please read the following, and ring ESNZ today to check or correct, they are very helpful, and too annoying to turn up at a competition and find you cant ride because something is not right:
ESNZ Membership information:
https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/27290-ESNZ-Dressage_Roadmap_2026.pdf

Fingers crossed the forecast improves, but doesnt hurt to practice competing in the rain, who knows what the weather will be for the Premier League shows coming up! See you on the day and best wishes to all the riders for a great start to the new season!

02/09/2026

Everyone should now have their provisional draw for the weekend and hopefully all your plans for a successful day are coming together.

We are lucky enough to have two judges on most arenas this weekend, especially the graded classes, but it does mean we need a few more writers.

Writing for a dressage judge is one of the best volunteer jobs because it gives you a front-row seat to learn how tests are actually evaluated. You can gain a good perspective of the judge’s real-time thoughts and reasoning for why a score is a 6 instead of an 8. Hearing what judges like or dislike helps you spot those exact strengths and flaws in your own riding. You gain an understanding of terms like 'impulsion' 'rhythm' or 'submission' and what they actually look like from the judge's view.

Riders here is your opportunity! Please comment below which gaps you can fill, or if you have a friend that isn't riding but also loves to learn, please ask if they are available:
Arena 1
13.00-14.10

Arena 2
9.30-10.38
11.00-11.53 FILLED
13.00-13.58 FILLED
15.00-15.32 FILLED

Arena 4
8.30-12.39

Arena 5
8.30-9.39 FILLED
10.10-12.10
13.15-16.05

Thank you so much in advance!!!

01/09/2026

We are all looking forward to kicking off the 'season proper' on Sunday at the first of our Spring Days, once again these events don't run themselves so calling all members, riders and supporters to put up their hand for volunteers tasks.

Arena Set up will be Saturday 2 pm, Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch five arenas to do and once again all helpers with this will go in the draw for a Blanket Therapy treatment for their horse, many thanks Cherie Team Pearson Equestrian. Please comment below if you can help or fill in the spreadsheet.

Please if you have a current First Aid Certificate put your name down on this list so we have cover for the whole day, also if anyone has an interest in Health and Safety we need a Coordinator at the moment with Chris Lewis away overseas.

We always need writers, helpers in the kitchen, and in the office/scoring, please fill in the volunteer spreadsheet as soon as you have your draw tomorrow, when you know what time you can give us.


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nD8h01hN1DUFsEe1xnSKE-Y4p5-wJocZumcH1LNbFlI/edit?gid=944665079 =944665079