Inaugural Waimakariri Riding Club Dressage Quests and Musical Freestyle. Sunday 10th November, 2024
- asmarsden1
- Nov 22, 2024
- 2 min read
On Sunday 10th November we hosted the inaugural Waimakariri Riding Club Dressage Quests and Musical Freestyle. We had 10 teams entered in the Dressage Quests and 19 combinations in the Musical Freestyle, which ran from Introductory to Elementary, giving riders the opportunity to ride a musical freestyle at levels which are not usually offered.
It was a fantastic day, with teams travelling from as far as the West Coast to compete. The hotly contested teams championship was won by “Straggling in Harmony”, made up of Becky Speed, Tracey Bayer, Monica Rietveld and Hess Vertogen. “Been to the Olympics” were a fraction behind with only 1.63% separating them.
In the afternoon, riders showcased their Musicals showing a wide range of musical genres. In the Introductory our winner was Karen Dew on Brackenleigh's Standing Ovation, Preliminary went to Leanne Walker on Bombardier, Novice to Sue Ruston on Haken and Elementary to Gwen Gilmore on Don Cruz BH.
We had wonderful feedback and comments from our riders:
“Because I had developed the floorplan, and selected the music to suit my horse, riding the test made me feel at one with my horse and in totally harmony.”
Another rider had put together a freestyle to “Harry Potter”, the music was meaningful to her as her and her son watched the movies together and she used songs that he would sing to her, making riding to the music even more special.
Spectators who had not previously seen dressage to music commented that they enjoyed it so much they would enter the show next year. We are delighted that we can grow peoples interest in Dressage and have them see it can be fun!
A huge thank you to our sponsors Kat & Bruce Chubb, Andrea and Chris Marsden, Musical Freestyles by Lucy and to the hardworking committee and volunteers who made the show such a success.
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