The North Island Carriage Driving Association hosted the North Island Dressage Champs at the Hawke's Bay Equestrian Park in Flaxmere a couple of weeks ago.
The champs were open to all ages and have been run for around 25 years, with the last 15 in Hawke's Bay.
Around 30 entriesfrom all over the North Island took part and organiser Jill Udy says the competition is run on a points system, with riders being upgraded as they become more accurate. Non-championship races were also run over the two-day event. "It's a long way for some people to come just for one championship test so we include the cone event plus some others — there's something for everyone."
TRAINING CLASS: 1st Jennifer Carew, Te Awamutu, with Willowview Express; 2nd Emma Wiggans, Hastings, with Red Rupert; 3rd Julie Coker, Gisborne, with Swanhaven Boots 'n All; 4th Vincelle Marvin, Gisborne, with Monsir.
PRELIMINARY CLASS: 1st Joanne Taylor, Pukekohe, with Double Delight; 2nd equal Ann Holden, Gisborne, with Allways Eve and Jill Udy, Taradale, with Bandamares Lady Holly; 4th Laura Buckley, Palmerston North, with Comet.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS: 1st Isabel Cochran, Feilding, with Shadow; 2nd Noelle Bryant, Hamilton, with Accolade; 3rd Pam Nathan, Masterton, with Golden Halo; 4th Krissie Hulme-Moir, Gisborne, with Maximum Velocity.
ADVANCED CLASS: 1st Yvonne Weal, Kihikihi, with Draytown Trooper. Joanne Taylor also won the Southern Cones Competition here.
