The final day of competition at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre was a showcase of excellence across every level — Novice, Medium, Pony, Young Rider, Under 25 and Big Tour — highlighting the depth, diversity, and talent that defines Australian dressage.
Matthew Dowsley claims Medium Championship
Without question, Matthew Dowsley was the standout rider here. Scoring 72.350% to win the Medium 4.3, and 72.207% in the Medium 4.2, he was deservedly crowned the Medium Champion with Bradgate Park Delaney.
His attractive black mare, Bradgate Park Delaney, continues to impress — this being only her fourth show, following her Advanced Championship victory earlier at the event. Owned by Matthew and sired by De Niro, she epitomises trainability and work ethic. Matthew praises her forward-thinking attitude and willingness to stay in front of the leg, traits that underpin her increasingly expressive collected work in passage, piaffe, and pirouettes. Her self-carriage, suppleness, and elasticity improve with every outing, and judges noted her steadiness in the contact and ability to sit through the transitions.
Reserve Medium Champion went to Kate Taylor-Wheat and Bloomfield Valton, who impressed with 70.811% for fourth in the 4.2 and 70.769% for second in the 4.3, showing harmony, elasticity, and an expressive charismatic attitude and great uphill frame. The horse is young, yet already demonstrates real FEI potential.
David McKinnon with Divine 18, Lisel Dingley with Elmo’s Fire VIP, Millie Fletcher with Amsterdam, Deon Stokes with Freycinet II, and Jake Parbery with Cooramin Despacito rounded out the top ranks, all above 70% in 4.2, underlining the depth of this division. Sally Rizzuto and Sir Donnertanz also score over 70% in the 4.3.
A special mention goes to 14-year-old Millie Fletcher with Amsterdam, whose poise and accuracy earned scores of 70.721% (4.2) and 69.274% (4.3) — a performance beyond her years. This combination’s marks ranged from first to 17th in the 4.2, again showing the subjectivity.
The Medium 4.3 was livestreamed via ClipMyHorse.TV and can be watched on-demand here.
Pony Medium
Jan Smith and Deveron Nintendo won the Pony 4.2 on 68.514%, ahead of Christopher Brunton and Freeman’s Lodge Denim N Lace (68.288%), and Sydney Evans with EPH California (68.243%). In the Pony 4.3, Sydney Evans reversed the result, winning on 69.102%, ahead of Christopher Brunton and Jan Smith. Jan’s pony is a chestnut gelding with plenty of flare. Great extended paces and the most endearing attitude. The frame is so uphill and Jan is now really starting to push some boundaries… one to watch!
The Pony Medium Champion was Sydney Evans and EPH California, while the Pony Medium Reserve Champion went to Christopher Brunton and Freeman’s Lodge Denim N Lace.
Novice classes a highlight
The Novice classes were a highlight — deemed the ‘Novice Olympics’ for Australian dressage, with polished, promising combinations throughout.
Caroline Hooper and Furst Sir led the way with 74.219% in the 2.2; a stunning, mistake-free test from the elegant gelding by Fürstenball, owned by Rebecca Skinner. Once a timid type, he has developed into a confident, expressive performer who commands the arena. He has such an uphill frame, elastic paces, and wonderful balance and rideability. There is great harmony between Caroline and this beautiful horse.
Harvey Besley and the magnificent Friesian Birk van de Vosjes followed on 73.594%, and then John Thompson and Zaire MI on 73.281%, Daisy Fielding on Remi Victoria’s Secret with 71.927%, Matthew Lord with Remi Braveheart on 70.521%, and Sally Walker with Woolaroo Valentine on 70.417%. A tight and high-quality field where small inaccuracies made all the difference.
The Novice 2.3 was even closer, with Harvey Besley taking the win on 72.619%, narrowly ahead of Heather Currie and Fürst Elegance (72.428%) — also imported and by Fürstenball — and Robert Harrisson-Schmerglatt on Total Impact CBM (72.143%). Caroline Hooper and Furst Sir finished seventh on 70.952% after an eventful test and despite three movements scoring below 4 — there were 8s, 8.5s and a 9 in the test, just making all realise those numbers could actually come up! But a beautifully ridden test.
The Novice Championship went to Harvey Besley and Birk van de Vosjes, while the Reserve Championship went to Caroline Hooper and Furst Sir.
Pony Novice
In the Pony Novice, Danielle Keogh and the golden palomino Gomez S shone brightly, winning the 2.2 with 74.740%. Justin Worthy and Broadway De Luxe were second on 72.813%, and Megan Bryant on Deveron Come Dancing took third with 67.917%.
The Pony 2.3 saw Danielle Keogh and Gomez S triumph again with 72.381%, from Justin Worthy and Broadway De Luxe (70.952%), and Emily James with Freeman’s Lodge Pippilotte (70.286%).
The Pony Novice Champion was Gomez S for Danielle Keogh, while Broadway De Luxe for Juston Worthy was the Reserve Champion.
CDI-Y, CDI-U25 and Big Tour
The pony and youth classes showcased the enthusiasm and talent of the next generation — beautifully trained ponies and riders full of promise and positivity.
In the CDI Young Rider Freestyle, Tia Rose McKenzie and Phenomenon took the win on 69.845%, just edging out Felicity Sutherland on Estee (69.510%). Other strong contenders included Emma Sanders, Monet Stevenson, and Shiva Wiedemann — all talented young riders showing great sportsmanship and camaraderie.
In the CDI Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle, Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro impressed with expressive, elastic work to claim the won on 69.085% as the only combination in the class.
The CDN Grand Prix Special went to Jodie Dunstan and Holland’s Bend Highlander on 64.575%, a unanimous decision. Susan Elekessy and Callum Park Geneva followed on 59.532%. There was no CDI Grand Prix Special this year.
Reflections on the event
What a championship — what a quality group of national champions! There is no question that these top horses are among the best Australia has produced.
Despite the excellence in the arena, a sense of lost atmosphere hovered over this year’s Nationals. Where have the crowds gone that once packed the stands for the Grand Prix Freestyle? The trade village that used to hum with excitement seemed quiet; the buzz and passion that should surround our pinnacle event felt subdued.
Dressage remains a subjective sport, and while discrepancies among judges are inevitable, it is a pity that panels aren’t given the chance to discuss their differing perspectives afterward. Such open forums would benefit riders, coaches, and commentators alike — helping everyone understand not just what went well, but why.
It would have been wonderful to see our international judges engaging more openly with riders and coaches — offering insight, warmth, and encouragement rather than remaining insular. Judges play a crucial role not just in scoring but in inspiring progress; they should not feel separate from the community they serve.
The investment made to bring these professionals to Australia is significant, and it should yield not only fair marking but also constructive feedback and positive communication. Poor marks alone don’t help riders improve; understanding the ‘why’ behind them does. When delivered with empathy and enthusiasm, feedback can motivate excellence rather than discourage it.
Within the stables, however, there was no shortage of camaraderie. Riders and coaches supported one another wholeheartedly — sharing advice, laughter, and focus. That community spirit remains the sport’s greatest strength, and it deserves to be celebrated and nurtured.
As we look ahead to the 2026 Australian Dressage Championships at Boneo Park, the hope is for a renewed sense of unity, positivity, and pride — where passion, participation, and presentation all return to centre stage.
National Champions:
FEI Big Tour (CDI-W) Champion: Jayden Brown & WillingaPark Quincy B
Reserve Big Tour Champion: Jayden Brown & D’Esperanza
FEI Medium Tour Champion: Matthew Lord & Remi Vigneron
Reserve Medium Tour Champion: David McKinnon & Holland’s Bend Rococo
FEI Small Tour Champion: Katina Smith & BC Chilli Pepper
Reserve Small Tour Champion: Lisa Janke & Bloomfield Dankeschoen OLD
FEI Under 25 Freestyle Champion: Jess Dertell and Kilimanjaro
FEI Young Rider Freestyle Champion: Tia Rose McKenzie & Phenomenon
FEI Pony Champion: Sophie Artup & Charlie Sheen 5
FEI Pony Reserve Champion: Isobelle Muller and Dynomite
Advanced Champion: Matthew Dowsley & Bradgate Park Delaney
Reserve Advanced Champion: Lisa Martin & Vilaggio
Pony Advanced Champion: Christopher Brunton & Freeman’s Lodge Denim N Lace.
Medium Champion: Matthew Dowsley & Bradgate Park Delaney
Reserve Medium Champion: Kate Taylor-Wheat & Bloomfield Valton
Pony Medium Champion: Sydney Evans & EPH California
Pony Medium Reserve Champion: Christopher Brunton & Freeman’s Lodge Denim N Lace
Elementary Champion: Jessica Dertell & Osaka P
Reserve Elementary Champion: David McKinnon & Ellenbrae Tia Vieda
Pony Elementary Champion: Justin Worthy & Broadway De Luxe
Reserve Elementary Champion: Danielle Keogh & Gomez S
Novice Champion: Harvey Besley & Birk van de Vosjes
Novice Reserve Champion: Caroline Hooper & Furst Sir
Pony Novice Champion: Danielle Keogh & Gomez S
Pony Novice Reserve Champion: Justin Worthy & Broadway De Luxe
Full results from the Australian Dressage Championships can be found here.
Re-watch the action on-demand with ClipMyHorse.TV.
