Dressage duo picked for NZ programme
Two of Marlborough’s most talented young horsewomen are among 10 selected for Dressage New Zealand’s rider development programme.
Known as the Performance Pathway, the programme is a structured training and development schedule offering support to promising riders.
Eighteen year-old Monica Lewis, on GB Donner Benelli, was chosen by the Dressage NZ selectors board to take part in the programme, along with 15 year-old pony rider Georgia Straight, on Radiant King Tommy.
Lewis has recently started at level 5 after a competitive season last year at level 3 with multiple young rider championships in the South Island and a national reserve title in the Young rider series.
With the help of trainer Diane Wallace, she aims to produce even better results at the higher level.
Straight has shown her prowess and promise at a young age with multiple top placings.
At the South Island Festival of Dressage at the start of this year she placed third overall in level one and took out reserve spot at the Marlborough winter dressage series for level 2 pony.
She is currently competing at level 2 and hopes, with the help of trainer Tessa van Bruggen, to be riding at level 3 in the coming month.
The clinic will take place on September 23-25 in Christchurch.
It includes lessons from Dressage NZ-approved coach and high performance rider John Thompson.
There will be a sports science element to the programme with workshops covering pilates for horse and rider, equine nutrition and horsemanship sessions.