Lucy Johnston was part of the winning Pas de Deux Freestyle team. Image: Pony Club Australia.

Australian riders shine in Pony Club International Dressage

Australian Pony Club riders selected to ride in the 2023 Pony Club International Dressage competition have performed beyond expectations to take some major placings.

Milly Mulcock from Victoria, an individual winner, summed up the feeling of the team members when she posted: “Thank you Pony Club Australia for such an amazing opportunity. Dressage is my passion. To win Class 1A on my pony Tanlee Raphael is such a dream come true.”

Chenin Hislop. Image: Pony Club Australia

Chenin Hislop was part of Australia’s winning team in Class 1A at the 2023 Pony Club International Dressage competition. Image: Pony Club Australia.

Started during Covid-19 lockdowns when riders could not travel overseas to compete, the virtual competition has gone from strength to strength and become an annual event, with riders now able to ride their own horses, instead of borrowed horses, when the competition is not hosted by Australia.

Riders ride in their own country and their tests are filmed and then judged by international judges.

Now in its third year, competitors came from:

• Australia

• Cayman Islands

• Canada

• China mainland and Hong Kong

• Ireland

• Malaysia

• New Zealand

• South Africa

• USA

• United Kingdom

• Zimbabwe

A total of 26 Australian riders had the chance to represent their country.

Catelin Crawford. Image: Pony Club Australia

Catelin Crawford performed well in Class 3 Level 2. Image: Pony Club Australia.

Highlights included:

A win to the Australian team in Class 1A, with a clean sweep of the top three placings. Milly Mulcock, 11, from Barwon Valley Pony Club (VIC) and her horse winning individually, Ava Irwin, 12, Bamawm Extension Pony Club (VIC) second and Liam Mackenzie-Smith, 14, of Mt Sugarloaf Pony Club (NSW) was third. The fourth team member Chenin Hislop, 14, Woodridge Pony Club (WA) was fifth.

Competitor Felicity Ericsson. Image: Pony Club Australia.

Class 3 Level 2: The Australian team was second, and Catelin Crawford of Tumut Pony Club (NSW) was sixth individually.

Class 4 Level 3: The Australian team won and individually, Darcy Eyb of Cudal Pony Club (NSW) was second, and Lauren Rowe of Busselton Horse and Pony Club (WA) was third. Caitlin Pritchard and Olivia Farrell were in the team and also performed well. Keighley Leeson of Carabita Beach Pony Club (NSW) placed sixth in the Open Class for riders over 25 years.

Ella Nast, the other half of the winning Pas de Deux Freestyle team. Image: Pony Club Australia.

Class 5 (Pas de Deux Freestyle, a team of two): Australia won, with the team comprised of Lucy Johnson and Ella Nast of Lilydale District and Midlands Pony Clubs (TAS).

This year for the first time there was a section for mature riders (over 28 years), as more and more Pony Clubs offer open age memberships. For some, this makes Pony Club a true family sport!