October 2011

Just Leitto this competition, Open Medium, first test Leat was a wee bit hot under the bridle, scoring 62% for 3rd place, afternoon test alot more settled, what was to be our musical to Elvis theamed music. the test went well, but my music was so quiet and that neither me, Leitto nor either of the judges could hear anything, which of course took away so much from this test. I promise Leitto that by Canterbury our music will play without any hitches....we scored just over 65% not bad for a musical with no music! Again for 3rd place just behind Aubrey 66% and Janelle 67%.

Sunday morning was our qualifier test 5.6, and I was happy with my girl, and we slipped in for a win in this test just short of 64%.

Next competition is Canterbury Champs in a months time.

October 22/23, 2011 Marlborough Dressage Championships sponsored by Fab Foods put on a lovely 2 day championship show, with a few riders travelling to the area to bump up the competition.

Leitto made in her debut at Open Medium (level 5), my darling horse tires very hard, but it was plain to see that I was unprepared, no fault of hers, but a another lesson learned. I have been working hard with the training yes, but lacked the test work preparation. It felt like I had not been in an arena for months and then I realise this is just it, the last time I competed was back in April in Elementary! It helps to keep your hand in you know!

A credit to Leitto she muffeled her way thru, we placed...

2nd = in 5.2 on 61%, 3rd in the Challenge on 59.43%, 3rd in 5.5 64.76% and 5th in the musical 64.75%,

so...this week I am preparing for the Nelson Qualifier, which will be invaluable time in the arena, and working my way thru my test sheets from last weekend taking note of where I threw all those precious marks away.

Lucius competed in two Novice tests, for two 4th placings both on 64.26% and 64.79%.

South Island Dressage Champs 2011

Leitto and Lucius had a great three days of competition.

Leitto competing at Elementary and Lucius Preliminary.

Leitto competed in the 6 year old Young Dressage Horse competition, coming second in round 1 behind Anya Durling and her lovely horse Rosari Guest Star a previous years Young Dressage Horse overall champion. On Saturday the top 2 of each age group rode in a 4 minute freestyle, Leitto effortlesly peformed half passes in trot and canter and flying changes much to some peoples surprise that she could already manage these movements. We were very happy with her efforts and pleased for Anya Durling who took out the win and then on to the overall title. Well done Anya!

Leitto was a close second in the elementary on day one with 70%, (winner 70.something) day two saw her win the Elementary Challenge on 70%, and a second placing in the musical freestyle with 70%, going into day three she was leading the over championship on points, I needed to come first or second in the final class to take out the championship, but dropped one more place to take third. Championship winner Nicola French 82 pts, reserve Anya Durling 81 pts, and us 80, so a close fought compeition, it was great fun to have such good combinations to compete against.

Leitto took out the overall Elementary Challenge accumulator series, winning a styley dress rug sponsored by Denis Reichenbach, and was fourth in the Zilco Musical Freestyle Series.

We won the Abbotsburn Challenge Cup for Turn Out, and were awarded a stunning dressage saddle blanket from Champion Rugs. Thank you Champion Rugs your products are seriously awesome!

Both my horses were in the winning team, accompanied by fellow Marlborough riders Tracey Johnson on Apollo and Melissa Parkes on Dons Party.

Melissa was South Island Medium Championship winner and Tracey Reserve Open Medium.

Lucius had an off first day, but redeamed himself on day two and three with two fourth placings on 68% and 70% and final day 70% for a close third. Competiton in the preliminary was as usual pretty fierce.

And all this in 36 dgs plus heat.

Both horses are now in for a treat, a few weeks off to rest relax and recouperate. They are on day three of their break and are hoop larring around!

October Update 2010

Monique has been entered in her first compeition, Canterbury Championships on 22nd November 2010. She is in full work now, and is relativly fit, so with another few weeks of training under her belt she'll be prepared for what will be the start of her competition season for 2010-2011.
 
My coach Andrea Raves is very pleased, we have had lessons with her the last two months, and last week she felt she was ready to compete, we do have two competitions I could do before Canterbury, the Marlborough and Nelson qualifiers but the warm up areas are not desirable, and I am not taking any chances. Canterbury boasts superb warm up arena's right till the moment we enter the competition area so the plan is to compete in the South Island at this venue to preserve Monique.
 
We have increased our number of lessons per month with Andrea now by travelling to Nelson aswell as here in Blenheim.
 
Her competition agenda for 2010--2011 is
 
Canterbury Championships - November 22nd 2010
New Zealand National Show Case - Christchurch - 28th - 30th January 2011
South Island Championships - Christchurch - 4-6th February 2011
National Dressage Championship - Manfield - 3-6th March 2011
Horse of the Year - Hastings 15th - 20th March 2011
 
Our major goal for the season is to be out there doing it, and doing it well.
 
Leitto and Lucius will both being competing at the Marlborough, Nelson and Canterbury qualifier shows in October and November 2010, and the same shows as Monique in 2011.
 
It will be a busy season which we are looking forward too very much. Thank you for your continued support.
 
Kind regards
 
Angie and Gareth

September Update 2010

We had a successful weekend competing Leitto GNZ in Marlborough Summer Series in elementary with really promising scores, two above 73%.
 
Check out the website under 'results page' and have posted some nice pics under her photo page, and Lucius has something to tell on 'from the Horses mouth'....
 
www.winswayequestriangroupnz.com
 
Regards
 
Angie and Winsway Equestrian

June 2010 update,

 

We had a successful weekend in Canterbury with Leitto GNZ, we competed in the preliminary grade against over 60 horses and she was placed 1st in two starts, and a 2nd and a 3rd in the other two classes, we were pipped for the championship by just one point.
Have attached a couple of photos that were taken over the weekend of the good girl.
Have a great week.
Kind regards
Angela

Dec 09 update

Hi,
Thanks for your reply and on going support, it is very much appreciated. The vet has been and taken out the cells and they are now growing in the laboratory. In 5 weeks time she will have them injected back into her tendon and we go from there, fingers crossed.
I have attached three pictures of the horses for use on the website.
Lucius at 3 years old, Leitto at 4 years old and Monqiue in 2008 Horse of the Year victory lap. I will have some up to date photos of Leitto and Lucius at competitions in a couple of months time so will forward them to you.
Many thanks
Kind regards
Angela Fergusson
Leitto GNZ, Lucius GNZ and Monqiue 3

Dear Vetpro,
This is a note to advise recent important decisions we have made regarding Monique 3 and her future. I brought her slowly back into work over the last three months and she was showing alot of promise towards full recovery, as we pushed through with her training it became apparent there was still something aggravating her injury as she became slightly lame again. So frustrating as we have cradled her along for over a year now and spent thousands of dollars on operations and treatments in hope of her recovery. Not to mention an emotional rollercoaster of feelings!!
 
Last week we traveled her to Christchurch to see a world renowned vet/scientist called Dr Patrick Casey from Auckland (he is the vet who cloned Dolly the sheep) who is an expert in Equine Stem Cell therapy, we have not seen this specialist before, but had been dealing with Canterbury Equine up until now. Canterbury Equine recommend we give her time, which we have, but after seeing the very experienced Patrick Casey and having her leg scanned with a 'very flash' scanner which showed up everything we finally needed to know, it is apparent she had two small holes in the tendon still which are basically not going to heal on their own accord.
 
With Stem Cell therapy we will harvest healthy tendon cells from Monique, grow them in the laboratory and place them directly into the two holes through non invasive surgery in 5 weeks time. The theory is that the new cells grow and fill in the 'gaps' and we will have a healthy tendon once again with NO holes. There is of course no guarantee of success but he certainly recommends we try. There have been many cases of success world wide in champion racehorses, trotters, grandprix show jumpers and eventers who have come back to win, so why not on a little grey mare from New Zealand!
 
It is extremely expensive to do but we will give it one last attempt because we believe she is worth it, in February 2010 she turns 13, and believe me she hadn't forgotten a thing of her training so it will just be getting her fit and strong again. In 6 months time she could be back into work so its not too long to wait. Then we would hope she will go till she's 18 so we can make up for some lost time and moments! This will be our last attempt so we will give it our best shot.
 
If this doesn't work we will breed with her thru embryo transplant so little Monique's will be gracing the dressage arena once again one way or another.
 
One good thing that has come of this experience is that I have pushed thru with my two young horses, Leitto (5) and Lucuis (4). I am extremely lucky to have two such nice talented young horses in my team, and are very excited about their futures. Leitto had her first start in October and will compete again this weekend in Christchurch for the Canterbury Championships.
Lucius will have his first start in January.
 
I aim to compete both of them at the South Island Champs and then at the Nationals and Horse of the Year. It is still very exciting and enjoyable riding in the low level of competition, its all relative and just as much of a challenge to do well as it is at the Grand Prix level (you have to be scoring 70+ or more to win!). Both of these young horses will I am sure make it all the way within a few years of training.
 
I thank you for your ongoing support. I am not sure where this will leave me sponsorship wise, I fully intend to fulfill my obligations the best I can with my two other horses and as a rider to promote your fantastic products. And hopefully one day in the near future Monqiue will be gracing the arenas once again.
Kind regards and many thanks.
Angela Fergusson
Monqiue 3, Leitto GNZ and Lucius GNZ

 

Angela Fergusson, 36, partner of Gareth since  age 15 and mum to William who is 5 years old.  Based on the outskirts of beautiful Picton in the South Island. Other interests are developing our property and home, singing, drawing, and travelling – been NZ wide and competed with Monique at Sydney in 2006,  We travelled to Europe this winter for 2 months and even experienced the amazing Aachen show in Germany.

Monique 3, 13 years, 16hh Grey Trakehner mare

Monique was brought as an unbroken 5 year old on 19^th August 2002.

We have been training together now for 7 years and have progressed through the dressage grades to Grand Prix. 2008 season was our first season in the Grand Prix grade.

New Zealand Dressage elite B squad 2004-2008 (been on training squad for 4 years running)

Train with Herbertus Hufendike – Germany and Andrea Raves – New Zealand and Gareth my partner

Short term major to make A squad in our return season 2010.

Mid term major goal Kentucky 2010.

Long term major goal London 2012

Monique has acquired quite a following amongst dressage lovers within New Zealand and especially in the mainland, South Island, always attracting enthusiasts to watch her perform. We enjoy doing many displays to put ‘something back into the sport’ for the public, and it is amazing for me as a rider to experience the interest that people have in us as a combination. It is very humbling.

Monique loves the crowds, the attention, and the atmosphere, the bigger the better. From old to very young she has many fans that source her out at the events and give us so much support. With travelling all over New Zealand in our truck to many events we offer prime advertising space for our sponsors.

List of major dressage achievements in last three years

2008

310 - World Ranking as at August 2008

Horse of the Year Show

Grand Prix Horse of the Year 2008

Winner CDI *** Musical Freestyle 69.35%

New Zealand Dressage Championships

CDI *** Musical Freestyle 3^rd

CDI *** Grand Prix 5^th

South Island Dressage Championships

Grand Prix Champion – winner all classes

Grand National Horse and Pony Show

Grand Prix Dressage Champion – winner all classes

Grand Champion Sport Horse and Grand Champion Warmblood

2007

Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough Dressage Championships

Grand Prix Champion each show – winner all classes

FEI World Challenge

Grand Prix Champion – winner both classes (see bulletin Jan 2008 front page photo)

Horse of the Year

3^rd Advanced Dressage Horse of the Year

Grand National Horse and Pony Championship Show

Advanced Champion

2006

Selected For New Zealand International Debut

Sydney CDI *** 2006 Prix St George Small Tour

5^th Advanced Inter 1 (CLASS OF 30)

5^th Prix St George (CLASS OF 30)

Horse of the Year

Champion Advanced Horse of the Year

New Zealand Dressage Championships

Was advanced Champion but unfortunately learnt the hardest lesson to date about carrying a whip and was eliminated under New Zealand rules!

South Island Dressage Championships

Advanced Champion

Marlborough Nelson and Canterbury Dressage Championships

Advanced Champion

Winner South Island Points Prize 2004-2007

Winner National accumulator advanced series 2006 and 2007

Winner of St Georges Trophy donated by the ‘frends of Dressage’ Highest 1^st year Prix St George combination

Marlborough Sports Person of the Year Nominee for Dressage 2006 and 2008

First combination in New Zealand to achieve all 4 incentive badges through Dressage NZ