The 2025 High Horse – Ulcer Armour+ Victorian Dressage Festival began at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on Thursday, with Big Tour, Young Horse and Pony, and Para Dressage classes all taking place on day one.
With plenty of sun, temperatures in the low 20s, and barely a breeze, conditions were near-perfect for competitors.
The festival incorporates the Victorian State Dressage Championships as well as the FEI World Cup Pacific League Final. With over 400 entries, this year’s event is shaping up to be another outstanding competition.
Jayden Brown and Legendary claim the Horse Bit Emporium Intermediate II
Olympian Jayden Brown got off to a winning start on Thursday, riding Liza Carver’s 11-year-old gelding Legendary to a win in the Inter II on 70.490%. This expressive horse continues to improve, showing ever greater power and confidence in his work. Legendary is by L’Espoir (Lord Loxley), out of a Fürst Heinrich mare.
Victoria Weir rode CJP Sir Dragonfire II to second place with 67.843%, while Denise Rogan’s Greco and Serena Ireland’s Royalty R both delivered strong performances, scoring 67.451% each to share third place. Georgina Foot and Zoe completed the top five with 67.010%, rounding out a competitive and closely contested class.
Future stars on show in the Young Horse and Pony classes
Thursday saw the first round of the young horse and pony state championships classes take place in the indoor arena. The winners from each level were:
Sabble Farm Young Horse 4YO State Championship Round 1: Chloe McGoldrick and Brierley Tokyo, 82.000%
Sabble Farm Young Pony 4YO State Championship Round 1: Taleisha Snell and Dynamik Galatea, 76.800%
Sabble Farm Young Horse 5YO State Championship FEI Commanded Test: Heather Currie and MW Boom, 76.600%
Sabble Farm Young Pony 5YO State Championship FEI Commanded Test: Amelia McDougall and JKE Arlington, 70.600%
Sabble Farm Young Horse 6YO State Championship FEI Commanded Test: Lilah Nieuwland and CP Noah, 76.000%
Sabble Farm Young Pony 6YO State Championship FEI Commanded Test: Toni Webb and Freemans Lodge Global, 82.200%
Sabble Farm Young Horse 7YO State Championship FEI Preliminary Test: Jessica Dertell and Osaka P, 74.965%
Para Dressage
Grade II Grand Prix A: Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II, 63.880%
Grade V Grand Prix A: Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut, 72.628%
Grade III Intermediate A: Danielle Loizou and BML Jack Sparrow, 67.024%
Don’t miss the action…
The 2025 High Horse – Ulcer Armour+ Victorian Dressage Festival continues today and throughout the weekend at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre (K Road, Werribee South, Victoria) with free entry for spectators across all days. With world-class dressage plus a bustling trade village for Christmas Shopping, it’s the perfect way to spend a weekend!
For those who can’t attend, ClipMyHorse.TV Australia is streaming select classes Friday and Saturday, with expert commentary from Roger Fitzhardinge.
Watch the action live via Equestrian Life, or live and on-demand with ClipMyHorse.TV.
For more information about The High Horse – Ulcer Armour+ Victorian Dressage Festival, click here.
