There was mixed emotions for  Raglan’s Jody Hartstone, in the wake of winning the top dressage title at the  Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

Her German stallion Landioso, the 22-year-old grandfather of dressage, managed  to fend off his up and coming rivals, to take the Grand Prix Horse of the Year  title and also the $10,000 first prize.

Landioso is the oldest horse competing at this top level in New Zealand Picture www.hoy.co.nz

It was perfect swansong for the imported German stallion, who is the oldest  horse competing at this top level in New Zealand, and possibly the  world!

Hartstone was relieved as much as she was proud of their achievement, with  Landioso not displaying his usual level of showmanship. “He was a bit tired,  which is unlike him as usually I’m trying to contain his exuberance. While it  was great to win, it wasn’t his best test.”

As Hartstone said, “It was good enough though.”

Hartstone finished on 66.45%, just one percent ahead of second placed Karen  Anderson on 65.1%.

While Anderson  rode her best test ever on her Irish Hunter, Komplete Kaos, it wasn’t quite  good enough to surpass the veteran Landioso, who has over 15 years mileage  competing at this Grand Prix level. “I’m absolutely delighted with him,” said Anderson. “It felt  fantastic and I had a huge smile on through the whole test.”

It was also the perfect confidence boost for Anderson, who will wear the Silver  Fern for the first time when she and Komplete Kaos represent New Zealand at  the Sydney CDI in May forthcoming. The pair are New   Zealand’s sole representatives at Grand Prix level and  will compete alongside New Zealand  team mates Ottilie Upshall (Rotorua) and Lisa Blackbourn (Auckland).

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Former Olympic Rider Wins Year Title

Former Olympic rider Kallista Field has won the Advanced Horse of the Year dressage title with her mare Waikiwi.

The Pahiatua full time equestrian rider kept her composure amidst stiff competition to win both of her title classes, with expressive tests from Waikiwi.

The little mare rose to the occasion, coping well with the atmosphere and offering spectator’s some exciting moments of flamboyance. Scoring 68.66% in her Musical Freestyle and 66.94% in the Inter 1 test put Field too far in the lead for anyone to catch, even fellow former Olympian Louisa Hill (Clevedon).

Hill, riding Bates Antonello, had to settle for bridesmaid in all her tests, and finally Reserve Advanced HOY Champion.

Field is one of New Zealand’s most successful dressage riders and last won the Advanced HOY Title in 2001, riding JK Lots Of Fun. She also finished fourth in the Advanced class with her imported stallion Salutation, who was just a few percent behind Waikiwi throughout the competition. With obvious talent, just a few unsettled moments cost the stallion higher scores.

Auckland’s Lisa Blackbourn with her Dutch stallion Prestige VDL finished third overall and have enjoyed a progressively impressive season. This pair has improved at each outing and stayed hot on the tail of the vastly more experienced Olympic riders.

Kate Klingender (Masterton) finished fifth overall, followed by Debbie Barke (Rotorua) and Mzungu.