Emergency Department nurse Shiwon Green has been riding since she was 6 years old – thanks to a horse mad older sister (Sally Millar - currently chairperson of Eventing NZ) that paved the way, however she is a relatively recent convert to Dressage. She rode in several disciplines as a teenager and at one stage had the ultimate goal of riding at Badminton 3DE. She spent a year riding in the United States chasing the jumping dream but it was while she was there that she became exposed to dressage at the highest level attending several high profile shows. Some years later while looking for a change of direction she had the chance to purchase the talented but often tricky horse, Gosh, and the rest, as they say, is history. Despite never having ridden above Novice level and Gosh himself being only trained to Elementary when she bought him, in five short years they flew through the grades to Grand Prix. Now established at that level, they have consistently been among the top combinations in New Zealand for the last two seasons. Two years ago she made the move from Canterbury where she had been based for 12 years back to her home of the Waikato to enable her to train closer with her trainer & mentor, Bill Noble, taking her long suffering husband David & her two children Harper & Clive with her.

Last season Shiwon decided to challenge herself and gain some invaluable international experience by taking Gosh to Australia to compete in two CDI’s (FEI sanctioned International Dressage events). This trip exceeded all expectations with them gathering mileage, some good scores and even some ribbons amongst some of Australia’s best riders & horses. The highlight of the trip was performing their musical freestyle at Equitana in a canvas topped arena at night under lights in front 4300 people. A truly mind blowing experience! The trip went so well that they were invited to stay on and represent New Zealand at the Pacific League Final of the World Cup in Werribee. Not bad for an ordinary rider on her crossbred horse from Wairoa!

Unfortunately the end of the season didn’t go quite to plan with a badly timed stone bruise meaning that their preparation & performances at Nationals & Horse of the Year weren’t quite what they were hoping for. Now fully recovered and with a renewed focus they have been competing consistently all winter with high hopes for a huge season in front of them. They have been named once again on the International Development squad and will be first aiming for a spot on the New Zealand team to participate in the Olympic team qualifier to be held in conjunction with the Australian National Champs back in Sydney.

Shiwon also has several young horses on the go, the most exciting at this stage being the rising 8yo Da Vinci who will be competing at Prix St Georges/Inter I level this season and who is currently training all the Grand Prix work. Shiwon rates this horse as a true International prospect and would dearly love the opportunity to present him at the Sydney CDI in May next year at ‘small tour’ level. Also keep an eye out for Grafenburg. He’ll be out in low level dressage, doing some showing and even some jumping – he’ll be hard to miss!

In addition Shiwon is increasingly connected with The Head Injury Network for Kiwis (THINK) an awareness & support group for people living with head injuries. As such she has pledged to wear a safety helmet every horse, every ride. Not just in training like she always has but also challenging the traditionalists by wearing one at the very top level along with her tails. Her aim is for wearing a safety helmet to be so acceptable that it no longer raises comment. And to make people consider their own safety.

Shiwon has been using NRM feeds for many years – relying on them to keep her team performing at their best, no matter what stage of their life & training they are at.