The 2025 Regency Floats New South Wales Dressage Championships are currently underway at the beautiful AELEC venue in Tamworth. While entries at the very top levels were slightly down this year, there was no shortage of quality in classes across the board.
Grand Prix a highlight on Friday
The highlight of Friday’s competition was Jayden Brown on WillingaPark Quincy B in the Grand Prix. This marked their first performance since the Paris Olympics, and it was worth waiting all day to see. A large crowd assembled to watch, captivated by the pair in both the warm-up arena and the main arena.
Seeing him in the warm-up was exemplary — elastic, harmonious, and beautiful. The gymnastic exercises required for the Grand Prix were a treat for spectators, and the performance did not disappoint.
The entry was straight, square, and expressive. The extended trot, while perhaps slightly modest, remained rhythmical and uphill. The half-passes were fluent, forward, and expressive, demonstrating superb flexion both left and right. The passage was uphill and expressive, and what stood out most was the harmonious connection between horse and rider, with an uphill frame and a perfect contact — not too light, not too heavy, maintaining stability and forwardness throughout.
Transitions were seamless. The extended walk and collected walk were clear, elastic, and precise. The passage, though a little hesitant in the front legs at times, remained controlled, leading into clean canter transitions. Flying changes were straight, immaculately timed, and balanced. The canter was uphill, with fantastic collection, and the zig-zag lines were symmetrical, correct, and expressive.
The first flying change was slightly better than the second, but both showed excellent uphill balance and correctness, leading into a clear extended trot. The piaffe was rhythmical, forward, and uphill, with elastic frames throughout. Overall, the performance earned 72.7% and 73.04% from two judges, with a third giving 69.3%. The average of 71.703% secured first place for Jayden and Quincy.
Jayden also rode the black mare D’Esperanza to a personal best of 69.819%, taking the early lead. The mare looked a level above the competition, with an uphill balance, effortless transitions, and regularity — exactly what modern-day judges love to see.
Emma Flavelle-Watts on Scarlatti Mio VSR placed third on 67.065%. This impressive black gelding, despite a few small mistakes, showed immense potential for the future.
Amanda Jakins and Artes Lauries Gift won the AOR Grand Prix, while Jayden Brown and Legendary won the Non-Championship Grand Prix.
Intermediate II
Jayden Brown and D’Esperanza won the Kohnke’s Own Open Intermediate II on Thursday with 69.951%, with Jayden also placing second aboard Legendary on 66.961%. Hannah Rockwell was third on Baumann’s Diorella with 66.667%. Both of Jayden’s horses are impressive types — uphill, elastic, and expressive.
Stars of the future shine in Medium Championships
Thursday saw an exceptionally strong Open Medium class. The overall champion was Kate Taylor-Wheat riding Bloomfield Valton, securing two second places in the two Medium tests. This well-conformed gelding is by Versace and was bred by Goulding. Kate has had him since he was a three-year-old and has carefully produced him through the levels.
Still young and green, he arrived at Tamworth fresh and a little wide-eyed, but settled into his work well, with only brief moments of tension. While not yet at his absolute best, Kate was rightly proud of his performances.
Runner-up was Queenslander Lisel Dingley with Elmo’s Fire VIP. They won The Muir Family Open Medium 4.3 on 69.231%, narrowly ahead of Kate Taylor-Wheat on Bloomfield Valton with 69.167%, while Sally Rizzuto placed third on Sir Donnertanz with 67.693%.
Sally and Sir Donnertanz, a beautiful black gelding, won The Muir Family Open Medium 4.2 on 69.595%, followed by Kate on Bloomfield Valton with 68.987% and Lisel on Elmo’s Fire VIP with 68.378%.
Sydney Evans and EPH California claimed victory in the Pony Medium 4.2 with 68.243% and the 4.3 with 67.244% to be named Pony Medium Champions, with Cassia Berry and Remlif Park Magic the Reserve Champions.
Sally Hurt and Florencia won the ACT Dressage Association AOR Medium 4.3 with 66.154%, taking the AOR Medium Championship. Reserve Champions were Kellie Brahams and TS Skyfall, while Janice Stockburger and Good Vibrations won the ACT Dressage Association AOR Medium 4.2 with 65.473%.
Small Tour standouts
There were also outstanding performances in the Small Tour on Thursday. Jayden Brown won the Assistance Guide Dogs Prix St Georges aboard Leopold with 68.922%. Sally-Ann Quigley on Ballymount Forget Me Not was second with 67.598%, ahead of Katina Smith on BC Chilli Pepper with 67.500%.
Jayden’s imported chestnut is elegant, uphill, and expressive, with elastic paces. The test was beautifully constructed and presented, with unanimous agreement among the judges. The rest of the field was tightly bunched, making for a highly competitive class.
On Friday, Sally Rizzuto and Quarterland won the Professional Plant Solutions Open Intermediate I with 69.265%, ahead of Katina Smith on BC Chilli Pepper (68.333%) and Sally-Ann Quigley on Ballymount Forget Me Not (67.745%).
Katina Smith and BC Chilli Pepper were named Open Small Tour Champions, with Sally-Ann Quigley and Ballymount Forget Me Not the Reserve Champions. Olivia Farrell and Big Fish were the AOR Small Tour Champions, while Isobelle Muller and Dynomite were the Pony Small Tour Champions.
In the Dressage NSW Non-Championship Intermediate I, Emma Weinert on Bloomfield Valan won with 65.882% (including one score of 70.147%). This Versace/Jazz gelding shows great promise. Bernadette Gibson from Tasmania also impressed on Macarthur Furst Of All, making the long trip from Launceston for her first attempt at this level.
Medium Tour
In the Medium Tour classes, Megan Keir on Revelwood Queens County won the Intermediate A with 66.520%, followed by Victoria Luxford on Revelwood Animation (64.902%) and Katina Smith on Rever Toujours (63.579%). These horses are progressing confidently toward Grand Prix.
Elementary and Advanced classes
In the Open Elementary classes (3.2 and 3.3) on Friday, Nicole Tough on Everdeen scored 72.195% and 74.75%. Everdeen’s trot was highly expressive, though the canter was a little less elastic.
Second place went to Courtney Larard on Bararmi (around 69–71%), with Rachael Clarke on Tarcoola Adelina Gold third in both tests, scoring over 68%. Other notable performers included Lizzie Wilson-Fellows, Robert Harrisson Schmerglatt, and Cody Rawson-Harris.
Nicole Tough’s Everdeen was named Open Elementary Champion, with Bararmi and Courtney Larard Reserve Champions. Janice Stockburger and Good Vibrations were the AOR Elementary Champions, with Fiona Bassingthwaighte and Federation the Reserve Champions. In the Pony Elementary, Nicole Tough and Kingsfield Dior were Champions, with Justin Worthy and Broadway De Luxe Reserve Champions.
In the Advanced classes, Jayden Brown on Leopold scored 70.987% to win the Hampton Park Equestrian 5.2, narrowly ahead of Lisa Martin on Vilaggio. In the 5.3, Jayden and Lisa tied on 73.108%. Serena Ireland on Tjibbe B scored 70.743%, and Jenny Gehrke on Carool Apollo was close behind. Jayden was named Advanced Champion, with Lisa and Vilaggio Reserve Champions. Amy McKenzie and Carool Secret Service were the AOR Advanced Champions, with Sarah Hanslow and Let’s Showtime Reserve.
Para & Virtus Equestrian
Felicity Weal and her mare FTF Florita won both the FEI Grade III Novice Test A (69.532%) and Test B (68.907%). Stuart Drysdale and Amalfi 20 won both Grade V Grand Prix tests, while Brooke Neville and Checklist D won both Grade IV Grand Prix tests.
Grace Murphie-Ryan and Pemberton Show Bizz won the Virtus II3 Novice A (67.750%) and Intermediate A (67.9%). Kyle Chapman and Chapplehurst Mozique won both tests in the II1 division.
Competition continues
The Tamworth venue, with its open and horse-friendly facilities, brought out the best in competitors. While well-run, spectator numbers were low in the opening days, raising questions about entries and atmosphere.
Nevertheless, the event showcased many top-quality horses, with Jayden Brown’s performances a standout highlight. Competition continues on Saturday and Sunday.
