It was a dramatic FEI Dressage World Cup Pacific League Final Saturday evening, with a significant storm rolling through Werribee delivering heavy rain, thunder and lightning.
However, rain, hail or shine, Mary Hanna and 12-year-old KWPN gelding Ivanhoe (Desperado x Jazz) are certainly tough to beat – especially in a World Cup Pacific League Final – as they proved once again, topping the leaderboard with 72.695%.
A moment of hesitation in the collected walk saw the marks lowered for the movement, however the remainder of the test was consistent throughout with no other real mistakes.
The duo has now claimed the FEI Dressage World Cup Pacific League Final for the second year running here at Werribee. Mary and Ivanhoe took the opportunity last time and travelled to Basel, Switzerland for the 2025 FEI World Cup Final. Will they make the trip to Texas in April 2026? We’ll have to wait and see – should Mary choose to attend, it will be a remarkable seventh World Cup Final appearance.
Serena Ireland finished second Saturday evening aboard Royalty R on 68.965%, while Breanna Tillitzki secured third with BZ Rafael on 68.895%; the latter were dealt seriously heavy rain, which was certainly loud on the roof of the indoor, and what a great effort to stay focused and relatively calm throughout their test.
Hannah Rockwell and Baumann’s Diorella, who suffered an unfortunate technical difficulty in the latter stages of their test when the music cut out, placed fourth with 67.460%, while Fiona Guthrie rounded out the top five on Bluefields Denoir with 64.195%.
High Horse – Ulcer Armour+ CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
The High Horse – Ulcer Armour+ CDI3* Grand Prix Freestylewas dominated by Jayden Brown, who claimed first place on 11-year-old KWPN gelding Quincy B with an impressive total score of 76.475%. It was a PB score for the Olympic duo, beating their previous best of 75.485% posted at Hartpury, UK in 2023.
Twenty-one-year-old Jessica Dertell secured second aboard 10-year-old KWPN stallion Kilimanjaro, finishing on 71.115% at their first CDI3* competition. The mark bettered their three CDI Grand Prix Freestyle scores to date, all of which were in Under-25 classes.
Heather Currie and Wunderbar Black 59 rounded out the top three with 66.450%.
Horse Bit Emporium CDN Grand Prix Freestyle
The first of three Grand Prix Freestyle competitions Saturday afternoon in the indoor, the Horse Bit Emporium CDN Grand Prix Freestyle saw a strong field of talented combinations, with Jayden Brown taking top honours in this class as well. Riding Legendary, he achieved a total score of 70.940%. Close behind, Denise Rogan piloted Greco to 70.130%, while Ruth Schneeberger and Miramar Serene rounded out the top three on 68.350%.
The Whittlesea Plenty Valley Dressage Club Intermediate B went to Tanisha Ryan and Jembrae Rattle N Hum on 66.081%, while the Victorian Dressage Club Intermediate I went to Karen Blythe with Sonik K on 67.010%.
Saturday Champions:
Pauline Carnovale Advanced Champion: Michelle Baker and Escala RW
Pauline Carnovale Advanced Pony Champion: Annabelle Webb and Salient Park Prince
Johnson’s Natural Formula Elementary Champion: Jasmine Abernethy and Everleigh
EBM Insurance Pony Elementary Champion: Dallas Mills and Sorella Sunrise
OTT Novice Champion: Jason Dins and Shady Lane
Lara Tweedie Preliminary Champion: Heather Currie and MW Boom
Aberdeen Farm Performance Horse Pony Preliminary Champion: Kristy Sparkes and Mirabelle Farm Affogato
Re-watch the action…
The 2025 High Horse – Ulcer Armour+ Victorian Dressage Festival concludes Sunday at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre (K Road, Werribee South, Victoria), again with free entry for spectators.
Classes from the indoor were live streamed Friday and Saturday, and you can re-watch them on-demand via ClipMyHorse.TV.
