The South Australian dressage fraternity were treated to three sensational days in November for the 2025 Equine Finance Solutions SA Dressage State Championships, conducted at the coastal Aldinga grounds of Southern Vales Dressage Club.
“The club worked incredibly hard to get their grounds looking lovely for the event and we send sincere thanks to their hard-working group!” says State Championships Organising Committee member Anne Raymond, who also praised Shane Curnow of Equipro Services for curating the arenas to perfection leading up to the weekend.
Championship results
The Horse Bit Emporium Big Tour Championship was a small but competitive field with 0.2% separating the top two placings in the Grand Prix. It was Ruth Schneeberger and Miramar Serene who claimed the victory with 67.935%. In second was Karen Horsell and Guizo da Ferraria with 67.754%.
Karen and Guizo da Ferraria proceeded to dance their way to first in both the Grand Prix Special with 66.887% and the Grand Prix Freestyle with 70.631%. These two victories led to them being the Horse Bit Emporium SA Big Tour Champion of Champions.
In the PBT Embroidery and Digital Printing SA Medium Tour Champion of Champions, Cathrine Skinner and Dobria de Jeu had a clean sweep winning all three tests. The combination scored 66.814% in the Intermediate A, 62.613% in the Intermediate B, and 66.981% in the Intermediate A/B Freestyle.
Lorraine Wohling and HV Duke were the Oakwood Landscaping and Recreation Small Tour Champion of Champions. The combination won the Prix St Georges with 66.274%, were second in the Intermediate I with 65.784% and won the Intermediate I Freestyle with a superb 72.413%.
Every Championship winner was awarded $500 cash, an incredibly generous prize courtesy of the naming rights sponsor, Equine Finance Solutions.
The presence of five interstate judges further highlighted the quality of the competition, with consistent praise for the standard of horses and test riding across all levels.
“A lot of PB scores were accomplished and we congratulate the riders on their own personal achievements during the weekend,” says Anne.
“We greatly appreciated the hard work put in by all of our judges,” continues Anne. “Virginia Creed (VIC), Judy Atkinson (TAS), Wendy Barker (WA), Nadine Herbert (WA), and Lee Howell (VIC) were truly delightful to host, along with some of our great South Australian judges Barrie Stratton, Liz Duncan, Jody Cavuoto, Helen Whittle, Fiona Heysen, Kristine Hancock, Jo Taylor, Brigitte Drinkwater and Carly Bubner.”
Further Champion of Champions across the levels:
Leader Equine Preliminary Champion of Champions: Keeley Menadue and PS Can Dance
Lumiere Novice Champion of Champions: Ria Grivell and Furst Depiction
APK Helmets Elementary Champion of Champions: Samantha Dossett and Jazdan Royal Rockstar
Barastoc Medium Champion of Champions: Ruth Schneeberger and Heathmont Romance
Iron Horse Equine Nutrition Advanced Champion of Champions: Ruth Schneeberger and Heathmont Romance
Fun outside of the arena
“After the success of 2024, the Organising Committee decided to add a new and exciting dimension this year, with the addition of two dining events in a VIP marquee,” explains Anne. The VIP marquee was complete with chandeliers, French-style furniture, and fabulous on-site catering by Chief Catering and 10th Element Catering.
“The Sunday VIP Luncheon was proudly sponsored by Karrawatta Wines – we thank them for helping us create a truly special afternoon. What an atmosphere this created for sponsors, riders and friends during the Freestyles!”
Anne says the Freestyle classes were certainly a highlight for all, despite inclement weather. “The Freestyle classes were beautiful, with a couple of horses having to deal with hard sideways rain during their test… but they soldiered on, and some stunning music and dancing was enjoyed by the crowd!”
An online auction fundraiser was also part of the fun this year, with a large array of prizes keenly bid on. “Thank you to the Victorian AOR group for the inspiration and the advice to set it up! And again, a thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting the auction with prizes,” says Anne.
Help and support
Events of course cannot run without the generous sponsors, and Anne is quick to acknowledge all those who helped bring the 2025 Equine Finance Solutions SA Dressage State Championships to life:
Equine Finance Solutions, Horse Bit Emporium, APK Helmets, Iron Horse Equine Nutrition, Leader Equine, Lumiere, PBT Embroidery, Jurlique, Oakwood Recreation and Landscaping, Dapple EQ, Lara Tweedie Equestrian, Brockhurst Stud, Barastoc Horse, Elite Equine Bedding, Equine Eye, 4CYTE, Calperum Station, Karrawatta, Coopers Farm Supplies, Bounce Rubber Arena Surfaces, Olympic Trailers Pty Ltd, Equine Alignment – Equine Bodywork and Saddle Fitting, Emma Woolman Photography, Shield Insurance, Benchmark Horse Feeds, Equissage Therapy Australia, Almazaan Stud, Pure Steed, EQ Saddlery – Adelaide Hills, Horseland Mt Barker, Hooper Team – Harris Real Estate, Chaballo – Equestrian & Lifestyle, Chiropractic First Strathalbyn and Hahndorf, Duncan Equine Group, Butet Saddles South Australia, Ruth Schneeberger, Julia Weir, Little Equine Co., Precision Bit Fit, Ponderosa Pellets and Kloses Supermarket.
A dedicated volunteer team also worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the Championships ran smoothly across all three days. “The volunteer team were outstanding,” smiles Anne. “The Score Squad were out in full force each day under Di Pritchard’s leadership, and thank you Denise Piggott and Elise Spark for huge office support over the weekend.”
“A very tiny committee puts together the plan, manages and gets this show happening, and it’s an honour to bring the event to SA riders,” says Anne on behalf of fellow committee members Ryan Fletcher, Sue Brow and Di Pritchard.
“Thank you for all of your messages and calls, it is so rewarding to see it come to life and look like the maps, the endless lists and have riders say it was ‘the best ever state champs’!
“Plans for 2026 are already in the pipeline (6-8 November), so if you missed out on a seat at the lunches, book early next year!’
