The top two riders at each level earn a coveted spot on the Victorian team to compete at the Equestrian Australia Interschool Nationals, which will be held later this year at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.
More than 220 horse-and-rider combinations took part in the series, with 98 participating in the Grand Final. The competition spans all age groups – from the youngest riders in Preparatory level to Year 12 students competing at Small Tour level. This year saw a strong resurgence in participation, particularly in the middle levels, as riders returned to full training and competition following the challenges of COVID lockdowns that heavily impacted equestrian sport in Victoria.
Preparatory Level
Imogen Diss on Rivington Tegwen had a standout performance, winning both tests to be crowned Grand Final Champion. Eva Dillon on Deck The Halls finished as Reserve Champion. Imogen was also named the overall Series Champion, while Harmony Perez and her pony Wish claimed the Series Reserve Champion title.
Primary Preliminary
Liza Smith on Aced It took top honours as Grand Final Champion, with Ollie Bardis on Coco Jets finishing Reserve. Georgia Tettamanti riding Aylestone Park Valdez was the Series Champion, while Ollie Bardis and Coco Jets secured the Reserve Champion spot for the series.
Primary Novice
Xoya Jell-Batha and Arcadian Enforcer had a strong campaign, winning both the Series and Grand Final Champion titles. Alexis Ryrie on Comet in Orbit was the Series Reserve Champion, while Ella McQuillan riding Miss Money Penny PP earned Reserve Champion at the Grand Final on a countback.
Intermediate Preliminary
Lucinda Cooper on KRP Bonanza won the Grand Final, with Porscha Polkinghorne on Walkenny Park Xtreme as Reserve Champion. Tyler Gamble riding SLH Noble Ledger was the overall Series Champion, and Lucinda Cooper took Reserve.
Intermediate Novice
Jude May delivered an impressive performance aboard Flowervale Bollinger, winning both tests and claiming both the Grand Final and Series Champion titles. Amelia McDougall on Neat N Tidy finished Reserve Champion for both the Grand Final and the Series.
Senior Preliminary
This division saw consistent results throughout. Annabelle Richardson on Merricks Fiore was both Series and Grand Final Champion, with Sophie McDonough on Warrawee Breez taking Reserve in both.
Senior Novice
The Grand Final was won by Amelia Baines on Esquire, with Sienna Pullar on Bloomfield Focus finishing Reserve. The series was tightly contested, with only 0.25 points separating Reserve and third. Sienna Pullar emerged as Series Champion, while Georgie Constable on Harney Park Columbian Girl claimed Reserve Champion honours.
Elementary
Bianca Griffiths and her pony Benita PD won both the Grand Final and the overall series. Morgan Cockerell on Monteith Brunton, despite missing an earlier round, delivered a strong finish to take both Grand Final and Series Reserve Champion.
Medium
Scarlett Taylor on Equine Affair Blackjack dominated the medium level, winning both the Grand Final and Series. Jessica Lowe on Redgum James 007 was Reserve Champion in both.
Advanced
This year’s Advanced level had a small but talented field of three riders. Cleo Billings on Welfs Applause won both the Grand Final and Series. Shayleigh Joblin on Greenwood Romeo was Reserve Champion at the Grand Final, while Bianca Griffiths on Glyndower Brea Galahad claimed Series Reserve Champion.
Small Tour
The Prix St Georges class was won by Zali Mills on Royal Diamond Jubilee, while Rosemary Heagney on her new mount MSJ Nemo won the Inter I and was crowned Small Tour Champion at the Grand Final. Lucy Coventry and Quizzical were the overall Small Tour Series Champions.
Source: VEIS, written by Michelle Heagney
