Image may contain: 3 people, including Melissa Galloway, people smiling, people standing and outdoorMarlborough’s Melissa Galloway produced two days of stellar performances at Equidays with her two Windemere stars Windermere Johanson W and Windermere JÓbei W.  
It was such an exciting start to the season, not only for the 26yr old rider, but also for her family, support team and the sport as we lead into the Kiwi Arena Rakes Premier League season.  
Before Melissa  even knew the score she had achieved a personal best  of 73.89% in the Freestyle, team emotion was high; Melissa and her team were simply ecstatic with the way J”Obei  W had performed and there were hugs and a few tears in the kiss and cry area as she came out of the arena. David Woolley (W) who bred both these horses was equally ecstatic. A lot of credit must go to NZ breeders for providing our sport with international quality horses

But it was not only Melissa’s  performances that impressed the judges and the fans. Local heroes Bill Millar and Jody Hartstone joined the top three rankings in the Grand Prix. Then Manawatu based Australian Cooper Oborn riding Aphrodite rode the test of his life in the Grand Prix Freestyle to score second place over 70% with some international quality one times and catching music. Then it was Melissa in third with yet another personal best on Johnanson W just edging out Bill Millar by 0.02%

These combinations all line up at Bay of Plenty Premier League at Taupo this weekend, plus our World Games representatives Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten. If you want to see more international quality dressage, check out the timetable on Equestrian Entries and head to the NEC 

Results Grand Prix

1.Melissa Galloway J Obei W 68.4
2.Bill Millar Raukura Satori MH 67.57
3.Jody Hartstone Ali Baba 66.48
4. Melissa Galloway Windermere Johanson W 65.69
5. Paula Stuart Aztec Lad 64.64
6. Lucarne Dolley 64.6
7.Victoria Wall Letty Lei EDH 64.31
8. Cooper Oborne Aphrodite 62.28
9. Kieryn Walton Rosari Don Carlos 59.42

 
Results Grand Prix Freestyle
1.Melissa Galloway Windermere J’Obei W 73.89%
2.Cooper Aborne Aphrodite 70.78%
3.Melissa Galloway Windermere Johansen W 69.59%
4.William Millar Raukura Satori MH 69.57% 
5.Victoria Wall Letty Lei EDH 69.29% 
6.Lucarne Dolley Ardmore 67.79% 
7.Jody Hartstone Ali Baba 67.33% 
8.Kieryn Walton Rosari Don Carlos 66.11% 
9.Paula Stuart Aztec Lad 64.73% 

Photo Caitlin Benzie Photography

Melissa Galloway and Windermere JÓbie W with sponsor Rhys Powell (L), Oceania Construction & Peter Nation (CEO National Fieldays)