The dressage at Equitana 2017 belonged to Julie Brougham and her loveable Vom Feinsten. Following up from their impressive win in the New Zealand Open Freestyle Grand Prix to Music on Friday night, the pair put on their dancing shoes again to score 70.63% this morning to claim the final dressage prize of the show, the Kubota Equitana Open Grand Prix title and the $2000 prize money.
In the prize giving, Julie paid homage to her equine partner, Steiny. "I wouldn't have an identity without him," she told the crowd. She then went on to thank her husband, David who she described as her second coach. Finishing her speech, she thanked Kevin Hansen, and his team, for bringing Equitana to New Zealand and described the arena as, "the best surface I've ridden on in New Zealand."
John Thompson who described his 15-year-old JHT Antonello as, "15 going on four", came ever so close to the magic 70% on 69.50% to take second place and $1500 in prize money. Another well-travelled pair, Wendi Williamson and Dejavu MH, claimed third place on 68.90%.