It’s been hot in and out of the arena with record scores and temperatures across the country

The Back on Track Premier League qualifying series are all really taking shape with a number of riders setting a scorching standard that others will have to work hard to catch.

In the south, two Back on Track Premier League qualifiers remain, Nelson and the SI Festival of Dressage while in the north Taihape and Northland feature this weekend, followed by Taranaki, Wairarapa, North Island Championships and Waikato.

The Bates Nationals feature the NI finals of the NI Super 5 League and the SI Festival feature the SI Super League and Zilco Musical Series Finals

New combinations are featuring across the country at all levels in all Leagues. From the north, to name just a few there are the Bay of Plenty riders Kellie Hamlett (Astek Geronimo) and Debbie Barke (RM Suzie Q) both on maximum points in each of their three starts in the Vetpro Level 1. Anne Webster from the Wairarapa dominates the Heritage Equine Level 3 and Zilco level 3. 

16yr old Central Districts pony rider Emma Dickons is having a great time and currently leads the Dunstan Level 4, the Zilco level 4 and the AMS Pony & Young Rider Performance League.

Eleven combinations have points on the Superior Rubber Surfaces Super 5 League with some first timers featuring. Waikato’s Paula Stuart and Aztec Lad have joined the Grand prix group, as have the three Central Districts combinations of Susan Tomlin(Dancelong), Julie Pearson (Zinstar) and Jacinda Younger on Donnerubin. 

In the south, Lorraine Ward-Smith and Fernlea Diamond day have a clear lead in the Heritage Equine level 3 and Zilco level 3 with 40 pts from four starts in both. A pony is dominant in Level 4 in the south too with Dani Simpson’s Greenmoor Euphoria on top both the Dunstan Super 5 and the Zilco Musical. 

Rebecca Rowlands is looking good at level 4 with Solo (1st = Dunstan) and level 5 with Southwell Rendevous.

Barbara Chalmers and Rosellini look impossible to beat at Level 8.

All signs are positive for some great finales to all the great series Dressage NZ has on offer. it’s not too late to enter the Flying Horse Masters, AllinFlex Amateur and HorseSports Pony & Young Rider Amateur Top Ten Leagues on Equestrian Entries. Points can be counted from ALL graded competitions, so if even if you don’t have the chance to travel a lot, these are the series for you.