Dressage star heads for Europe

Opportunity has knocked for Marlborough dressage ace Melissa Galloway - and she has grasped it with both hands.

Yesterday she began a new chapter in her burgeoning equestrian career, flying out to the Netherlands where she will work as a rider at the world-class Van Olst Horses (NED) set-up.

Along with her two horses, Windermere J’Obei W and Windermere Integro, the 28-year-old will train with and be mentored by Anne Van Olst and Charlotte Fry as she sets her sights on a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Currently New Zealand’s highest-scoring Grand Prix rider, Melissa was in line to attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as part of the Kiwi equestrian team, but Covid derailed her plans, which had included a trip to the UK in February to prepare and achieve final qualifying.

This will not be Melissa’s first European trip. Aged 17, she travelled to Germany to work and learn for year under the tuition of Hubertus Hufendiek.

Since returning, her stocks have risen through a succession of improving scores and results. On Windermere J’Obei she surged to the top in 2020, clinching the national Grand Prix champion’s title and the Horse of the Year crown.

Melissa, who was named Marlborough Sportswoman of the Year in 2020, described her opportunity to work at the Van Olst stables as “an opportunity of a lifetime”.

“I’m very excited to be heading off to start the next chapter in my equestrian career,” she said.

“I feel incredibly blessed to be moving over to start a new job as a rider at the incredible Van Olst stables … even more exciting is that my two best boys ‘Joey’ and ‘Elmo’ will be joining me over there in one weeks’ time.

“I am so grateful to [her coach] Vanessa Way, for helping create this opportunity of a lifetime for me, and to my very very special husband and family who support me 110% of the time to chase my dreams.

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds and I am so excited to take everyone on this journey with me.”

Melissa is committed to stay in the Netherland at least until 2024 and has her eye firmly fixed on the 2022 World Equestrian Games in Herning.