The governance board are responsible for overseeing the Dressage Academy

The Dressage Academy has been set up as a incorporated company with a Constitution that mandates all 'profits' to go back into the Academy. The accounts will be subject to an annual audit review by Nexia NZ Limited (Chartered Accountants, Christchurch) and both their report as well as the accounts themselves will be published.

Tony Herstell
Tony Herstell
Chief Executive
Tony is an IT consultant and will use these skills in the support of the Dressage Academy

Tony has been passionate about horses all his life and bring this passion to the Dressage Academy.

sub-committee
H & S
Finance (Book Keeping)
Helen Maskery
Helen Maskery
Company Secretary
Dr Helen Maskery has had a life long passion for horses but after gaining her BHSAI, she changed careers, choosing to work to keep her horses.

With a career spanning the UK, Canada and now New Zealand, Helen brings practical, hands-on business knowledge to the Academy.

Helen is a very active amateur dressage rider who is typical of the adult amateur who will be the bread and butter income source for many of the Students graduating from the program.

sub-committee
Sales and Marketing
Finance (Oversight)
Student Welfare
Guy Alexander
Guy Alexander
Guy is a specialist equine surgeon who has also worked in the UK, Australia and Dubai.

Guy will provide the Dressage Acedemy with veterinary technical supervision.

In addition Guy is looking forward to being more involved with the equine sports industry.

sub-committee
H & S
Vernon Ramsay-Smith
Vernon Ramsay-Smith
As a Captain Vernon brings to the Academy many years of management experience following a long and varied career with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service which included Royal Navy staff appointments. He is now a Captain with the NZ Interislander Line.

Vernon is an active dressage rider and is very keen to see the sport advance in NZ through the excellent programme and outstanding level of training and commitment that Brugs Nicholls and the Academy Scheme can provide.

sub-committee
H & S
Student Welfare

The operations board are responsible for overseeing the operational activities of the Dressage Academy

Brugs Nicholls
Brugs Nicholls
Chief Instructor
Brugs brings extensive equestrian experience to the Academy as she has been bought up with horses with her parents running a 60 horse, BHS training centre, livery yard and riding school in the UK.

Brugs brings extensive coaching experience as she has taught people to ride from a young age, taking her first BHS exams at 18yrs old.

Brugs passion for top level, international, dressage exposure, led her to work as head girl for Franz Rochwansky and Vicki Thompson for many years while training her first horse to Grand Prix and gained international exposure. This experience will be invaluable in the preparing students for the international experience.

sub-committee
H & S


Created and maintained by Tony Herstell (Based on pure JEE, JSF & Primefaces).