Wairarapa in line for 'Horse Ballet'

SECRET CHAMPION: Beginner competitor and Wairarapa Dressage committee member Alison Woollard and horse Te Muna - meaning 'the secret' - compete at a Solway Dressage Group event.

There's more to dressage than horses trotting delicately around in a circle, says rider Alison Woollard.

Mrs Woollard, a Dressage Wairarapa committee member and a beginner competitor, is organising the 2014 Wairarapa Dressage Championships, taking place at Solway Showgrounds on January 18 and 19.

Dressage, also known as "Horse Ballet", has a horse and rider performing a memorised sequence of movements in various formations around an arena, and is a favourite of royal darling Zara Phillips.

Mrs Woollard said she is hopeful this year's championships will encourage members of the public to foster an appreciation of the sport.

"[The championships are] a way for people who may not have watched competitive dressage to see what it's all about," she said.

"People who haven't watched much dressage tend to think it's just horses going around in circles. But, as a sport, it's quite technical and very expressive to watch.

"There's so much beauty and elegance in the movements - especially when you've got horses moving in perfect timing to the music.

"Plus, they'll be looking good - they'll have their manes plaited, and the riders will be wearing their tail coats."

This year's championships will feature 110 competitive riders of various ages, hailing from Wairarapa, Wellington, Taranaki, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty, plus a group of junior riders from the South Island.

The riders, ranging from beginners to Grand Prix - or Olympic-standard level - will perform four different sequences for a team of judges, competing for first to fourth place ribbons, and cash prizes.

Those with the highest scores immediately qualify for the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show, which is the largest equestrian event in the Southern Hemisphere, in Hastings this coming March.

Mrs Woollard herself will be entering the championships as a Level One rider with her horse Te Muna - a Gisborne-bred gelding named after a Martinborough vineyard.

"He's not a super fancy dressage horse, but he's got a very nice temperament, and that's perfect for me," said Mrs Woollard, who has dabbled in equestrian for eight years.

"Te Muna means 'the secret' - so hopefully he's got a secret dressage champion inside him."

She said the art of dressage could take years to perfect - with riders needing to forge a close bond with their horse, so it will perform a routine with minimal prompting.

"Professional riders are out with their horse every day, in rain, snow or shine.

"It takes a horse a long time to build up the muscle for some of those routines. You and the horse need to know each other really well to work together.

"But, when it's done right, it is like watching an amazing ballet dancer. It looks completely effortless."

The Wairarapa Dressage Championships will begin at 9am on Saturday January 18 and Sunday January 19 at Solway Showgrounds.

Dressage classes for both competing and non-competing riders will be held on site on both days.

Entry is free for the public, and food and drink will be available.

For more information, contact Alison Woollard at barneyandalison@wizbiz.net.nz.