Our December-January issue has arrived and it is sizzling hot (hopefully, summer will follow soon)!

For our cover story, we feature Sarah Young. We caught up with her trying out some showing for extra mileage with her gorgeous horse, Equador MW, she also fills us in on what she has been up to.

In this issue we have 16 inspiring interviews, that's right 16 amazing riders grace our pages and give us a sneak peek into their equestrian lives.

Our training articles can help you set up your successful season. If your interest lies in the dressage arena, we have Janelle Sangster Ward tell us about 'Progressive Dressage' and the training scale. Janelle rides a Level 1 horse and a Level 4 horse and demonstrates the differences between how they are trained.

We also have a great training clinic with Jock Paget, who tackles the show jumping phase during a squad training clinic. For our health section, we address Cellulitis and how to manage it should it occur. We also take a close up look at the muzzle, we delve deep into the inner workings of one of your horse’s most important features.

On top of all of that, we have Nicola Smith our fitness coach share her soothing exercises to help improve Sciatica in riders. All this and much, much more, in the Dec/Jan issue of Show Circuit, out now.

Pictured: Taupō district mayor David Trewavas (left) with the Minister of Sport, the Right Honourable Grant Robertson, Rio Olympian Clarke Johnstone, NEC convenor Dr Wallie Neiderer and ESNZ high performance director Sarah Dalziell-Clout. Photo by Diana Dobson/The Black Bal

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The future of New Zealand’s equestrian was toasted by some of the nation’s sporting leaders today with the official opening of the National Equestrian Centre’s new international-standard indoor arena in Taupō. The Minister of Sport, the Honourable Grant Robertson did the honours before around 170 people including dignitaries, long-time supporters of equestrian, life members of Equestrian Sports New Zealand, Olympians and many other special guests. Mr Robertson praised the efforts of the many volunteers who had worked tirelessly to raise the $3.5 million for the project, but particularly NEC convenor Dr Wallie Niederer who had created a true legacy. “Your driving energy has kept the project going,” he said. “I hope you are proud today. It is a great pleasure to be here. I have heard a lot about it, but to see it (in person) is quite remarkable. It is a world class facility and a jewel in the crown.” It was particularly special to that it catered for all five disciplines – eventing, dressage, jumping, para-equestrian and endurance – which said a lot about the cohesion of the sport. “It is a long term investment in our young riders. This is where the next Sir Mark Todd, Blyth Tait and Jock Paget will come from.” Mr Robertson said sport was “critical” to building strong communities. “It is part of our wellbeing. It is part of our national identity, and equestrian sport is very much a part of that. It is an absolute privilege and an honour to declare this officially open.” Taupōdistrict mayor David Trewavas also praised the efforts of the many who had come together to see the project through, describing the new arena as something Taupō and New Zealand could be very proud of. ESNZ president Richard Sunderland agreed, saying never in his wildest dreams did he think the arena would be as impressive as it is. As an 18 year-old he had attended the very first working bee with NEC founder, the late Pat Donnelly, who had told them all about his vision. “We thought he had been in the sun too long,” said Mr Sunderland. But along came Dr Niederer who with Derek Booth, Mark King, ESNZ patron Jennifer Miller and the late Dave Grant, had turned dreams to reality. Mr Sunderland said the training centre was a fitting tribute to Mr Grant. ESNZ high performance director Sarah Dalziell-Clout said the new centre would be extremely valuable for New Zealand’s riders of the future, allowing them to train in an environment that provide a smoother transition to the world stage. There were many more plans for the future that would only add to the centre. “I am very excited for the future,” she said. “This will allow us to keep up with our international counterparts. It is an opportunity for them to train and compete on a surface that will ensure longevity of our horses and to train through the winter months. It is also a chance for us to attract international coaches and where our high performance programmes can continue to grow.” Dr Niederer was quick to share the credit with those who had given so much. However, it had come right down to the wire with the code of compliance granted late the afternoon before the opening. “I am very proud of what we have achieved here,” he said. “It is fantastic to get to this conclusion.” Sport New Zealand chief executive Peter Miskimmin was thrilled for all who had put so much effort and passion into the centre. “It is an important day but also for the future it is a legacy for equestrian sport in New Zealand. It is wonderful. I am in awe of Wallie and what he has done. I remember when he first came into my office to talk about his idea – that was a long time ago and it is incredibly rewarding to see this open today.” Guests were welcomed with a powhiri by local tangata whenua Ngati Tahu Ngati Whaoa and treated to displays of jumping, dressage, eventing and Pony Club. The footprint of the new building, which was started in April 2016, covers 65mx75m and includes a big indoor arena with the same footing as was used at the London Olympic Games, seating for up to 300, a conference room, a mezzanine floor that affords views of inside and outside arenas, a cafe, commercial kitchen, offices and toilets.

Words Virginia Caro

Image - Take the Moment

Relentless rain resulted in many withdrawals before the cross-country phase of the Bay of Plenty Horse Trials on Sunday, with most of those who did run their horses treating the very wet conditions with due respect and riding accordingly. Fortune favours the brave, with the only competitor in the Pub Charity CNC2* Plus class to go cross-country reaping the rewards. Jake Barham had 20 penalties for a run-out with Atlan, and incurred 32-time-penalties, finishing with total penalties of 102.5, but took the spoils, and will smile all the way home to Hawkes Bay. There were seven withdrawals before cross-country in the Dunstan Feeds CIC2* class, with one retirement on course, but the eighteen competitors who finished deserve credit for the way they handled the conditions. Shannon Galloway (picutred), who was seventh overnight on Day Walker, jumped clear with 10-time penalties to win on a score of 46.3. Fleur Rohleder on The Alchemist and Nick Brooks on For Fame both finished with final scores of 49.4 penalties, second place going to The Alchemist whose 10.8-time penalties were closer to the optimum time than For Fame, who had 17.6-time penalties for third place. Beth Wilson was a close fourth on Alto et Audax, producing the fastest round with 7.2-time penalties for a final score of 49.5 penalties. The Reyna Equestrian CIC1* class saw four of the sixteen starters withdraw, with Kelsey Leahy winning on former stakes-winning racehorse Showcause. They held third place overnight and were the only combination to complete inside the time allowed to finish on their dressage score of 31.3 penalties. Samantha Mynott was second on Ipso Facto having added 1.2-time penalties to their sixth place overnight for a final score of 34.6 penalties, with Greer Caddigan third on Gymnastik Showdown having added 6.4-time penalties to their fourth place overnight to finish on 38 penalties. Both Greer Caddigan and Beth Wilson are Young Riders who have rocketed up the Mitavite Young Rider Series leaderboard to hold second equal positions on Gymnastik Showdown and Alto et Audax respectively with 34 points, overtaking Lucy Turner and Carbon by one point. Shannon Galloway’s win on Day Walker in the Dunstan Feeds CIC2* class has seen them move into second place in the Amateur Rider Series, but Susan Le Mesurier’s third place on Sparky Malarkey in the Marks & Ewen CNC1* has moved them to the top of the table. Kelsey Leahy’s win on Showcause sees them take the top spot in the Pro-Am Rider series, with Samantha Mynott moving into second place with Ipso Facto after placing second behind them in the Reyna Equestrian CIC1* class.

Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz clinic this morning at Equidays with the very talented Amanda Berridge riding GS O’Jay.