Australian Young Horse Championships
The 4CYTE Four-Year-Old class has attracted a massive 40 entries. With combinations travelling from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, it will certainly be a class to watch!
The Mulawa Performance Horses Five-Year-Old class also features a strong 21 entries, including last year’s top three combinations in the Four-Year-Old class. Daisy Fielding and Remi Victoria’s Secret (Remi Vigneron x Laurie’s As) claimed the title in 2025 with a score of 80.5%, closely followed by Riley Alexander and Glenhill Quatessence (Quaterhit x Don Schufro) on 80.4%. Third place went to Heather Currie and MW Boom (Benicio x Sarkozy) on 80.2%. With many other standout combinations entered, this promises to be another class to follow with great interest.
The Leader Equine Six-Year-Old class boasts not only a quality young horse field but also an impressive rider lineup, with 10 out of 12 riders entered having competed at Grand Prix level. Lizzie Wilson-Fellows and Hollands Bend Secrets Out (Secret x Furst Heinrich) took top honours at EBM Willinga Park Dressage by the Sea with a great score of 76.200%. Riley Alexander and Glenhill Totil Star (Totilas x Negro) have enjoyed considerable success in New South Wales and will be another combination to watch.
The Sabble Farm Seven-Year-Old class may be smaller in number, but it is packed with quality and could go any way. Jessica Dertell and Osaka P (Escolar x Florencio) have been undefeated in the seven-year-old classes this season. However, with experienced riders such as Rodney Martin on Emillio, Mary Warren on Mindarah Park Rupert, John Thompson on Franka MI, Sally Rizzuto on BC Memphis, and Jazi French on Vittorio DS, it could be anyone’s day.
Grand Prix action
The Pauline Carnovale CDI3* Grand Prix has a strong field of 16 combinations. Among the ones to watch are Jayden Brown and Quincy B, who continue to go from strength to strength, posting three impressive 70%-plus scores at EBM Willinga Dressage by the Sea, including posting the highest Grand Prix Special on Australian soil. Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR also delivered consistent performances at Willinga, achieving personal best scores in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special and achieving 70%-plus across all three tests. This will only be the combination’s fourth CDI, meaning they are still relatively new at this international level.
Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe I can never be discounted and are the third Australian-based combination to qualify for Aachen 2026, adding further strength to the field given Hanna’s outstanding competition record.
New horses at Inter II
The Southern Cross Event Hire CDN Intermediate II also features a strong lineup, including the exciting young stallions Dante Quando OLD ridden by Charlie Welsh and Fidibus ridden by Alexis Hellyer. David McKinnon will be debuting Carol Oatley’s new gelding Lea Rian, who was previously competed by Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson, and his wife Robbie McKinnon will be competing SPH Fortino – who won the Champion of Champions at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in 2023 as a six-year-old.
Prix St Georges Cup
The Audrey Riordan Prix St Georges Cup has attracted 20 competitors, including the consistent top three placegetters in the CDI1* Small Tour classes at EBM Dressage by the Sea: Robbie McKinnon and QS Sierra, Jayden Brown and Leopold, and Lisa Martin and Vilaggio. Jayden Brown will also ride Grets, who was successful in the CDN Small Tour at Willinga.
The class also features two Grand Prix horses adding further depth to the field – Fonzie II, ridden by Olivia Gillespie, and MSJ Nemo ridden by Rosie Heagney.
This year marks the first time the prestigious Aachen Challenge will not be held; it is a shame to lose the event that supported and showcased young riders. However, CDI youth classes are being run, including the CDI Junior, CDI Pony and CDI Childrens classes.
All in all, this event is shaping up to be a fabulous showcase for riders, spectators and dressage enthusiasts alike.
