Jayden Brown and Leopold win the Prix St Georges
Sponsored by Audrey Riordan, the Prix St Georges Cup was held outdoors, with the arena presented in outstanding condition — one of the many reasons this venue continues to attract such strong fields of horses and riders.
The class was won by the beautifully produced Leopold (Livaldon x Fidertanz), ridden by Jayden Brown to a score of 71.765% for owner Karin Gordon. Jayden’s experience and ringcraft were on full display — his precision in lines and positioning ensures he gives judges very little opportunity to deduct marks. Leopold, a striking chestnut gelding with a naturally high neck carriage, showed excellent expression, particularly in the trot work. The canter work is still developing, and a few mistakes in the changes proved costly, but overall it was a very well-executed and deserved winning performance.
Second place went to Heathmont Romance, ridden by Ruth Schneeberger from South Australia, scoring an impressive 70.294%. This bold, uphill bay — by For Romance out of a Capone mare — demonstrated fluency and suppleness throughout the test. Ruth’s experience was evident as she held the lead for much of the competition before being narrowly overtaken.
In third place was Robbie McKinnon on QS Sierra (Stedinger x Florestan) with 69.618%. This electric bay mare, every inch the modern sport horse athlete, showed expression across all paces. Presented in a snaffle bridle, she demonstrated a light, elastic way of going with excellent adjustability. However, a couple of mistakes in the changes proved costly in what was a very competitive class. Even the smallest errors had a significant impact on placings.
Fourth place went to Gretz, also ridden by Jayden Brown, further highlighting his exceptional ability to produce horses at this level. Notably, two judges had this combination in second place. Gretz, a smaller but very uphill horse by Apache out of a Jazz mare, and owned by Susan Gorst, impressed with a superb frame and a harmonious, elastic contact. A lovely horse to watch, ridden with quiet confidence and ease.
Fifth place was awarded to the chestnut gelding Vilaggio (Vilancio x Don Romantic), ridden by Australian Paralympian Lisa Martin. This combination saw a wide variation in judging, with scores ranging from third to tenth place. Villagio has plenty of expression and outstanding trot work and looks every inch a future Grand Prix horse. However, today inaccuracies in lines and transitions — just missing some markers — proved costly. At this level, and in this competition, such details are critical. With a slightly steadier connection and continued development of strength and expression, this is certainly a horse to watch.
There were some truly excellent tests on display, although there was a sense among the well-informed audience that the ‘8 button’ could perhaps have been used a little more. Greater separation in the marks — rewarding the very best movements more generously and being more decisive for the weaker elements — may have created clearer distinctions. Instead, much of the scoring appeared to sit in the middle ground.
Overall, the class was rich in quality and depth, with many promising combinations coming through the ranks. It was also particularly pleasing to see the winner, Leopold, having previously competed as a young horse at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars — highlighting the strength of the development pathway within the sport.
The Prix St Georges proved to be a highly competitive and engaging class, offering a strong glimpse into the future of Grand Prix dressage in Australia.
David McKinnon unveils a new star in the Intermediate II
The Inter II class drew a field of seven, with victory going to Lea Rian (Furst William x Jazz), ridden by David McKinnon. The newly imported horse, owned by Carol and Sandy Oatley, was contesting only his second Inter II in Australia and scored 71.470%. It was a very consistent and even test, although a small mistake at the beginning of the one-tempi changes brought the score down slightly. He is clearly a talented horse in piaffe and passage, and as the partnership and understanding continue to develop, there looks to be plenty more to come.
In second place was Megan Keir on Revelwood Queens Country, earning a well-deserved 68.529%. Elegantly ridden by Megan, this combination shows good improvement in the piaffe and passage tour and continues to look increasingly established at the level.
Third place went to Robbie McKinnon on SPH Fortino with 66.667%. This combination has been a little in the background for some time after being highly competitive at Small Tour level, and this was their first competition for a while. Of course, this horse was a champion young horse at DJWTS, so it was lovely to see him now stepping out at Inter II. It was a good effort, just a few green mistakes kept the score from climbing higher but certainly one to watch!
In fourth was Charlie Welsh riding Dante Quando OLD, a big black imported stallion with plenty of power and expression. There is clearly room for much bigger marks in the future, with a few green mistakes at this level still creeping in. More strength and a more forward, pushing attitude in the passage will help, but he is a beautiful, upstanding horse and Charlie did a very good job piloting him through the test.
Fifth place went to Alexis Hellyer on Fidibus, scoring 65.686%. Fidibus was making his first start at Inter II and has also enjoyed success as a young horse at DJWTS and at the Sydney CDI. Alexis is beginning to really get a tune out of this horse, although a little more consistency in the frame and added strength will be needed to unlock the bigger marks.
It was a very interesting class indeed, full of young talent coming up through the ranks and preparing for Grand Prix, which made it particularly exciting to watch.
Stryker K claims the first round of the 4YO Young Dressage Horse class
There was certainly depth of class and quality in Round 1 of the P.S.I. 4YO Young Dressage Horses, supported by Southern Cross Event Hire. A field of 37 horses were presented before an international panel of judges; it was a huge class and one that showcased the strength of emerging talent.
The overall winner was Stryker K, a gelding by Secret out of a Carbine mare, ridden by Karen Blythe, with a winning score of 82%. The judges were impressed by the horse’s self-carriage and adjustability, shown through correct training and smooth transitions, while remaining in self-carriage during those moments. Three good paces were combined with a fabulous attitude, and he was obviously extremely trainable. Stryker K and Karen Blythe, who have already enjoyed success in young horse classes on several occasions, were outright winners in a wonderfully strong field.
In second place was Riley Alexander on the black gelding Glenhill Ilyas, by Asgard’s Ibiza out of a Fuerst Heinrich mare, bred by Glenhill Sport Horses. They scored 81.4% to finish very close behind Stryker K. The impressive black gelding was a strong, powerful type who found it easy to get up off the ground and show plenty of expansive paces with real quality. He was again shown very well by Riley Alexander, who is certainly no newcomer to young horse competition.
Third on 80.4% was Verstappen DS, a stallion owned and bred by David Shoobridge, by Vitalis out of an Ampère mare. This beautiful type showed true ease of movement and quality and was cleverly and well presented by Robbie McKinnon. He was certainly a crowd favourite.
In fourth place was Janet Seccull on Total Iceman, another horse by Asgard’s Ibiza and out of a Vitalis mare. Now owned by Jane Foster, this horse has a particularly pretty head, three good paces, and great trainability. Janet Seccull, of course, is the Grand Prix rider of the wonderful chestnut Bloomfield Vegas, who will be competing tomorrow.
Fifth place went to Valdare for Victoria Luxford; a short, compact bay gelding with lots of spunk and an off-the-ground attitude. The canter was exceptional: uphill and with great ground cover. The trot perhaps did not show quite the same extent of expression or elasticity as some of the others, but he was still a quality horse. Interestingly, Valdare is a full brother to Verstappen DS, meaning the two David Shoobridge-bred horses finished third and fifth.
There were amazing horses in this class, along with beautiful judging and fantastic commentary, which explained both the good and the not-so-good in such a positive and constructive way. The Dutch judge, Patricia Wolters, was particularly clear and engaging. It was a great class with wonderful horses, and we now look forward to the second round.
Osaka P leads the 7YO Young Dressage Horse class
It was interesting to note that, despite a remarkable 37 horses contesting the 4YO class, there were only six starters in the P.S.I. 7YO Young Dressage Horse division – supported by Leader Equine.
When the going gets tough, I suppose the tough get going! The seven-year-old test is no easy assignment. It is effectively a small Prix St Georges, with sequence changes, half pirouettes, half-pass, canter–trot transitions and changes on the centreline. It is a highly intricate and demanding test that requires adjustability, control and precision in positioning. At this level, there is no hiding place. The judges are looking for collection, self-carriage, harmony, adjustability and ease of movement, with an eye to horses that may eventually develop into Grand Prix prospects.
Jessica Dertell, riding Osaka P, by Escolar out of a Florencio mare, showed the way with 75.804%; a very decisive victory by almost 2% over BC Memphis and Sally Rizzuto.
Jess rode with confidence and flair, producing a flamboyant performance. There is no question this horse’s trot has improved significantly over the past 12 months, reflected in an impressive 8.5 for trot and also an 8 for canter. His canter has always been a highlight and remains so, but it was the marked improvement in the trot that stood out. He is very much a stallion and at times can be quite bold and “in your face”, but all the same he showed expressive flying changes and a superb canter. A perspective mark of 8.3 is a high score and underlined the judges’ regard for such a quality horse. There was little doubt that he deserved the win.
In second place was Sally Rizzuto with BC Memphis on 73.047%. His marks included 7.5 for trot, 8 for walk, 7.3 for canter, 7.2 for submission and 7.6 for perspective. Memphis had shown great flamboyance as a young horse when ridden by Katina Smith for Bangalow Creek Warmbloods, who bred and produced him. He now looks extremely well with Sally and still shows great expression in all three paces at this higher level. A few mistakes proved costly, but on another day, with a cleaner test, he would surely be pressing hard for the win.
Mary Warren and Mindarah Park Rupert, by Mindarah Park Ramadan out of a Promise R mare, finished on 70.775%. Mary, who was highly successful as a young rider and went on to Grand Prix, produced a very consistent and even test on a horse that appears to have a bright future.
John Thompson and Franka MI scored 69.882%, although moments of tension interrupted the elasticity we have seen from this horse in the past.
Rodney Martin, riding Emillio, by Escamillo out of a De Niro mare, was winning over both the crowd and the judges through much of the work. Emillio was expressive, soft to the contact and instantly eye-catching. Unfortunately, a spook at the judges in the transition to canter unsettled him, and it was difficult to get this still-green young horse back on track. Even so, Rodney’s great experience showed through as he made the most of what he had. Although the canter tour became a little untidy, there was still plenty of quality in the marks.
Tomorrow is another day, and the placings could easily change. There is no question that these are all quality horses with plenty of promise.
It was a little disappointing to see such a small field in this class, but this is a difficult test and it takes a great deal of riding and training to have a horse performing at this level by the age of seven. The class was full of quality, but also of small mistakes that prevented the final percentages from truly reflecting what these horses are capable of. Tomorrow is another day, and it will be fascinating to watch the second round. Watch this space!
Young ponies impress
4YO Dressage Ponies – Round 1 (Sponsored by Boneo Park)
Queensland’s Madison Allan claimed top honours aboard Jenny Stock’s mare Karizmah Spot The Dot (Charlie Sheen x Hesselteichs Blue Angel), scoring 79.60%. The duo produced a consistent, high-quality test with particularly strong canter work. Karizmah Spot The Dot’s sire, Charlie Sheen, is of course no stranger himself to DJWTS, having been named the 2019 DJWTS Young Dressage Pony Champion of Champions as a six-year-old.
Read more: SOPHIE & CHARLIE BRING PONY POWER TO NATIONALS – Equestrian Life, November 2025
Victorian rider Taleisha Snell finished close behind on Maddison Singe’s mare Dynamik Galatea (Golden West NRW x FS Don’t Worry) with 79.00%, while Nicole McCown rounded out the podium on her mare Mellizo Park Selene (Westbury Spitfire x 00 Seven) with 77.00%.
5YO Dressage Ponies – Round 1 (Sponsored by Trailrace Saddlery)
Victorian Amelia McDougall secured the win aboard JKE Arlington (Coltura x Jackets Bluebird) with a score of 69.60%, delivering a steady and balanced test across all paces. South Australia’s Charlie Germein followed in second on stallion LR Legacy (Rainbow Dancer x Watkins) with 68.20%, highlighted by a strong walk mark.
The judges for both the four-year-old and five-year-old young dressage pony classes today were Australia’s Jane Ventura and Mary Seefried, as well as Patricia Wolters of the Netherlands.
6YO Dressage Ponies – Round 1 (Sponsored by Glenhill Sporthorses)
Victorian Toni Webb delivered a standout performance to win aboard her own Freeman’s Lodge Global (Numerus Clauses x Dreidmensional) with an impressive 80.00%. This pony was of course the 2025 DJWTS Young Dressage Pony Champion of Champions, and is certainly looking impressive again here at Werribee this year.
Read more: GLOBAL THE SHOWMAN A WORLD-CLASS PONY – Equestrian Life, April 2025
Tamara Campain followed in second on Belmore Park Queen of Hearts (Belmore Park Perfect Timing x Grand Flaneur) with 73.70%, whom she owns in conjunction with Stuart Archibald, while Leisha Salter secured third place on her own Brookside Neo (Numerus Clauses x Dracmoore Firestorm) with 70.70%.
The 6YO ponies had an all-Australian judging panel for round one, comprised of Jane Ventura, Maria Schwennesen, and Susie Hoevenaars.
