Recognised for their contribution to all things dressage

Contributions recognised: Liz Burke (right) has been made a life member of Gisborne Dresssage for her contribution to the group in a wide range of roles, and Shirley Hyland has been awarded the President's Cup for her ongoing enthusiasm and support for all things dressage. The awards were made at the Gisborne Dressage annual prizegiving. Picture supplied

SERVICE going back deep into last century was recognised at the Gisborne Dressage annual prizegiving event.

Liz Burke was made a life member for her contribution to Gisborne Dressage as a president, committee member, judge, competitor and judges' host.

At the same prizegiving, Shirley Hyland was awarded the President's Cup for her ongoing enthusiasm and support for all things dressage.

Liz Burke, who turns 80 this year, has ridden horses all her life and was a successful competitor across all equestrian disciplines.

In dressage, she trained horses to the higher levels and was a Dressage NZ judge.

She regularly hunted with Poverty Bay Hunt Club, often with husband Tim and their four children.

A kick at the Hawke's Bay Show broke her leg but that didn't stop her for long. She was soon back riding with her leg in plaster.

Burke was instrumental in the establishment of Ormond Pony Club and was head instructor.

In the time Burke was president of Gisborne Dressage, the group set up and ran the inaugural New Zealand Pony and Young Rider Classic in 1994. This is now known as the Young Rider Championship.

And she was president in 1995, when the group successfully ran the New Zealand Dressage Championships at Makaraka racecourse.

Burke still rides, though not competitively. Her love of dressage continues, and she shares her knowledge with riders she instructs.

Shirley Hyland, who was awarded the President's Cup, is a Gisborne Dressage life member who is active on the committee and still coaching and judging at the age of 92.

She began competing in 1938 and went on to become an international judge, chairwoman of Dressage NZ and a national selector.

Hyland established the NZ Young Rider Development Squad and the NZ Young Rider Dressage Championship.

In 1998 she was awarded the Fissenden Trophy for outstanding contribution to New Zealand dressage, and in 2003 was awarded the Queen's Service Medal.