15/09/2026
Very proud of Tāne’s (Fernlea Diamond Gift) nomination!
Massive congratulations to his breeders Lorraine and Archie Ward-Smith ⭐️😎⭐️ I’m so pleased that you get the recognition and acknowledgment you deserve via these awards.
🏆 NZWA HORSE OF DISTINCTION AWARDS 2026 - DRESSAGE 🏆
We’ve celebrated our Showjumpers. We’ve celebrated our Eventers. And tonight we come to the final award in our 2026 Horse of Distinction series - DRESSAGE.
Since 2021, the New Zealand Warmblood Association’s Horse of Distinction Awards have recognised outstanding New Zealand-bred Warmbloods across our three Olympic disciplines, while importantly recognising the breeders behind those horses.
🌟 2026 NZWA DRESSAGE HORSE OF DISTINCTION
🏆 DONERO RH 🏆
Donnerubin DC / Dream Boy / Clay Hero xx
Breeder: Victoria Fawcett Vic Marie
Ridden by: Samantha Belsham Samantha Belsham
Donero RH has had an outstanding international season with young rider Samantha Belsham, representing New Zealand with distinction on both sides of the Tasman.
At the Taupō CDI Young Rider International in March, Samantha and Donero produced a fabulous 2nd place in the Individual Test on 68.578%, before stepping it up another gear in the Freestyle, scoring 70.020% for another 2nd place.
And they didn’t stop there.
Just weeks later, Donero was on a plane to Australia, where he and Samantha once again represented New Zealand at Sydney CDI.
Against international Young Rider competition they finished 5th in the Team Test (65.882%), 5th in the Individual (64.618%), and saved their best result for last – a terrific 4th place in the Young Rider Freestyle on 69.685%.
To perform so well at international level here in New Zealand and then travel across the Tasman and do it all again is a wonderful achievement for both horse and rider.
And here’s something else rather special about this year’s winner…
⭐ Donero RH also received a nomination for the 2026 NZWA Eventing Horse of Distinction!
To be recognised amongst our top-performing New Zealand-bred horses in two Olympic disciplines in the same year is quite an achievement and a wonderful testament to this horse’s versatility.
Bred here in New Zealand by Victoria Fawcett, Donero RH is a fantastic example of a New Zealand-bred Warmblood progressing through the sport to successfully represent his country on the international stage.
A very deserving 2026 NZWA Dressage Horse of Distinction. 🏆🇳🇿
Our Horse of Distinction nominees are drawn from first and second placings at selected events around New Zealand, national series winners and performances at targeted events across all levels.
This year’s outstanding Dressage nominees were:
⭐ Shenandoah Devine (Donnerubin DC / Prestige VDL / Voltaire II) Breeder: Justine Dodds
⭐ Southern Stars The Little Prince (Rosari Fabio / Littorio / Northerly Native xx) Breeder: U & N Doering Southern Star Sporthorses
⭐ Matapiro Baseline (Buckingham / Donnerwind V / Omnicorp xx)
Breeder: Alison Arthur
⭐ Donnerfire STS (Donnerubin DC / Arazi xx / Yeats xx)
Breeder: Colin Toni Louisson
⭐ Cashin’s World Star (Worldly / Washington DC / Leader of the Band xx) Breeder: Simon & Leanne Cashin
⭐ Jax Johnson (Johnson / Anamour / Dynamit)
Breeder: Rania Todd & David Woolley Rania Layne David Woolley
⭐ Donnerlyric (Donnerubin DC / Sirocco Spartacus / San Mateo Second Chance) Breeder: Sherree French
⭐ RM Freedom (Fugato / San Rubin II / Salute)
Breeder: Peter & Debbie Barke
⭐ CDS D’artagnan (Donnerubin DC / Gymnastik Star / Dream Boy)
Breeder: Jacinda Younger
⭐ Riverock Felene (Fugato / Salutation / Master 850)
Breeder: Riverrock Farm
⭐ Satine WDS (Secret / Jazz C / Anamour)
Breeder: Walton Dressage Stables Kieryn Walton
⭐ Dolcetto II (Donnerubin DC / Distelfink / Oakville xx)
Breeder: Marianne Paton-Sentch
⭐ Pied Piper Trick or Treat (Golden Strike / Unknown / Unknown)
Breeder: Karyn Mclachlan
⭐ AD Astronomy (JHT Anatomy / TF Hamish / Tyn-Y-Cae Rival)
Breeder: Amy DeLangen
⭐ Carbon Copy STS (JHT Chemistry / GT Jake / Anamour)
Breeder: Colin & Toni Louisson
⭐ Baroque (Bellario / Royston Rockstar / Ramazotti)
Breeder: Dawn Runtle
⭐ Don Solitaire REQ (Donnerubin DC / Awakino Solitar Hit / Ramirez) Breeder: Lucy Russell
⭐ Fernlea Diamond Gift (Donnerubin DC / Donnerwind V / Landioso) Breeder: Lorraine Ward-Smith
⭐ Redwood Pinotage (Triple Trees Prince Perfect / Obelisk / Westminster xx) Breeder: Marcia Macpherson
⭐ Southwell Razzmatazz (Ramirez / Waikiki Star xx / Smuggler xx)
Breeder: Loretta Tait
⭐ Donnerock EH (Donnerubin DC / Royston Rockstar / Anamour)
Breeder: Louise Skene
⭐ Gusto Dracaena (Donnerubin DC / Falkensee / Polarschnee)
Breeder: Charlotte Young
⭐ RM Astek Glamourous (Kinnordy Gym Bello / Anamour / Coolmack xx)
Breeder: Peter & Debbie Barke
What a line-up – and a fantastic representation of the quality and depth of dressage horses being bred right here in New Zealand. 🇳🇿
Victoria Fawcett, as breeder of Donero RH, will receive the beautiful Horse of Distinction crystal trophy, proudly sponsored by MVS EquiBreed - leaders in equine reproduction.
The Horse of Distinction Awards celebrate performance, but at their heart they are about recognising the breeders behind the horses - the people whose knowledge, decisions and vision produced the athletes we now see succeeding from grassroots competition right through to international sport.
🏷️ Please help us spread the word!
If you know any of the breeders listed above, please tag them in the comments or share this post with them. Not everyone follows our page, and we would love to make sure every breeder knows their horse has been recognised amongst this year’s outstanding nominees.
A huge congratulations to Victoria Fawcett, Samantha Belsham and everyone connected with Donero RH, and congratulations to every breeder represented in our 2026 Dressage Horse of Distinction nominations.
And with that, our 2026 NZWA Horse of Distinction Awards are complete. 🏆🇳🇿
Congratulations to all three of our winners, their breeders, riders and connections - and to every New Zealand breeder whose horse earned a place amongst this year’s nominees.
New Zealand-bred. New Zealand-produced. Performing on the world stage. 🇳🇿🐴
Photo: Donero RH and Samantha Belsham at Taupo - Credit Libby Law.
