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NZ Hanoverian Society Annual Awards
The New Zealand Hanoverian Society Annual Awards Dinner is a highlight of our year - a relaxed, social gathering where members share their ups and downs of the last twelve months and their hopes for the next. The awards presented recognise the time, energy and financial input of the breeders, owners and riders of our most successful horses for the year.
 Gary and Wendy Freeman, with Sue Hobson (centre), at the NZ Hanoverian Society annual Awards Dinner 2009. Gary is holding the Exceptional Performance certificate awarded for Aristoc. Photo: Brian Hobson. |
Exceptional Performance Awards
1. Gary and Wendy Freeman from Bilbar Lodge, breeders of Aristoc, (Anamour/Cinnamon, by Witzbold).
Aristoc and rider/owner Sue Hobson have been competing at level 4 and had a fantastic season. They achieved reserve champion at NI Champs, National champion at National Champs, level 4 Horse of the Year Title and Zilco musical freestyle title. "Aristoc (Kit) will compete level 5 this coming season and has been working well.
2.Henton Lodge Hanoverians, breeders of Henton Attorney General, (Anamour /Delphi, by Distelfink). "Frank", ridden by part owner Lizzie Brown, of Hamilton, has distinguished himself in eventing at 2 star level this past season, not only in NZ, but also in Australia. With outstanding performances in New Zealand, Lizzie and "Frank" were chosen as part of the five strong, Trans Tasman Young Rider Squad that traveled to Camperdown, Victoria, Australia, in April of this year. The pair won individually and helped the team to a resounding win over the Australians. Frank and Lizzie remained in Australia where they competed in Sydney finishing in 4th place. Their next start was in Werribee just out of Melbourne, where they competed against Australian Olympic and World Games representatives. They held the lead after the dressage and retained this with a faultless cross-country run. They had it in the bag until the very last show jump fence where unfortunate faults dropped them to 3rd. It was a very successful Australian campaign.
3. Mary Wilson, breeder of All Black II, (Anamour /Tipsey Kay xx, by Little brown Jug).
Owned and ridden by Charlott Bayliss, All Black II has had his first season at grand prix level, winning the GP Championship at the N.I. Dressage Champs and 5th place in GP at the HoY show, where he was also 4th in the CDI*** musical freestyle.
4.& 5. Matthews Hanoverians, breeders of Giusto MH, (Gymnastik Star /Gratiola, by Graf Landau) and Geldof MH also by Gynmastik Star, from the Allermund mare All Grace.
Giusto MH was third overall in level 2 at the North Island Championships. He then travelled to Christchurch for the National Dressage Championships where he was reserve champion at level 2 and won the overall title of National Young Dressage Horse Champion. He was also reserve champion at level 2 at the Horse of the Year show.
Geldof MH, with Sarah Matheson-Reay won in level 4 at the N.I. Dressage Championships, was reserve champion level 4 at the Bates NZ Dressage Championships and came in 4th in level 4 at the HoY show.
Dressage Accumulator Series
Initiated to reward the owners of successful NZ bred, branded and registered Hanoverian horses competing in the discipline of dressage and to recognise, in a minor way, the long hard hours the riders put into these horses. Points are awarded for placings at three major dressage shows during the season - the N. I. Championships, the SI Championships and the NZ Nationals.
The series consists of three awards representing the various stages of a dressage horse's training.
The award for Level One and Two went to Susan Tomlin, owner and rider of Giusto MH, who also earned this recognition last year.
The award for Levels Three to Five went to Sue Hobson, owner and rider of Aristoc.
And finally, for horses competing at FEI Prix St George and Grand Prix - the award went to Charlott Bayliss, owner and rider of All Black II.
Many thanks to Robin Potter for her valuable contribution in coordinating this series.
