Fierce Freestyles mark the final day of the 2025 Australian Para Dressage Championships

All combinations that qualified (overall combined scores from the previous two days) rode their Freestyle test to music on the main arena.

Competition PEAKED today, with multiple combinations gaining scores over 70% for the third day in a row! It is very safe to say that the standard of Para Dressage in Australia has increased, and if this weekend was any indication of what will be on offer for the remaining three qualifying events next year, I can’t wait to watch. With this many promising combinations, I certainly do not envy the Para selectors as they get closer to deciding which four riders will make up the Australian team for the 2026 FEI World Championships.

Lisa Martin and Vilaggio won the CPEDI3* Para Grade V Freestyle and were named the CPEDI3* Para Grade V Champions. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.

Star of Sunday’s show

The absolute star of the show today was Lisa Martin in the CPEDI3* Grade V and her stunning chestnut, Vilaggio, who together rode a wonderful test for an incredible score of 77.375%. The pair produced a spectacular Freestyle to music with an interesting floor plan, emotive music, and a high degree of difficulty. Lisa took some risks, and they most certainly paid off; all judges rewarded the ride with scores over 75%, and one judge even gave the test a HUGE score of 81.300%.

Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut also produced a wonderful Freestyle and followed closely in second place with a fabulous score of 74.833% in the CPEDI3* Grade V. Mietta tactfully guided her horse through the compulsory movements and provided audiences with a fun, easy to watch test, with some serious power in all three paces.

Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut were second in the CPEDI3* Para Grade V Freestyle and were the CPEDI3* Para Grade V Reserve Champions. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.

Another notable ride was Helen Batson in the CPEDI3* Grade IV, who rode a lovely test for a score of 75.283%. Their music was elegant, and in my opinion, extremely well suited to this particular horse. I believe that this is the best test I’ve seen Helen produce and would like to sincerely congratulate her on what was a wonderful and quality performance.

A very fluent and positive ride saw Claire Graham finish in first place in the CPEDI3* Grade III with a total percentage score of 71.489%.

Maddison Cooke took the win in the CPEDI3* Grade II Freestyle on her long-term mount, Byalee Magic II, with a competitive score of 69.678%.

Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic, winners of the CPEDI3* Grade II Freestyle and CPEDI3* Grade II Champions. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.

The CPEDI2* Grade IV Freestyle was won by Kirsty Van Loon and Nero R, who rode a particularly consistent test for a score of 71.525%. In the CPEDI2* Grade III Freestyle, Felicity Weal and TFT Florita won with a score of 68.878%.

Grace Murphie-Ryan and Pemberton Showbiz rode a harmonious test for a winning score of 67.727% in the Virtus II3 Freestyle.

Kyle Chapman and Chapplehurst Mozique won the Virtus II1 Freestyle, while Chloe Karsten and Riff Raph won the Virtus II2 Freestyle.

Kirsty Van Loon and Nero R won the CPEDI2* Grade IV Freestyle and were named the CPEDI2* Para Grade IV Champions. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.

Proud moments

Although there were a few technical difficulties and sound issues throughout the morning, I would like to congratulate all riders for displaying true professionalism throughout, handling challenging situations and less than ideal weather conditions with grace.

Something that really stood out to me as I watched the Para and Virtus riders exit the arena over the past three days is that, for the most part, no matter how each individual test went or what the horse and rider were able to achieve, the huge smiles were visibly apparent, and the gratitude shown towards the horses truly indescribable. As I reflected on this throughout the day, it made me extremely proud to be an Australian Para Dressage athlete, and equally as proud of my fellow Aussie riders that were representing us here over the weekend.

Congratulations to all horse and rider combinations this weekend, and a heartfelt thank you to the support people who allow us to achieve these riding goals, without whom none of this would be possible! A very big thank you to Jade Woodhead Butler and her team at Carlton Performance Horses for running such a remarkable show.

Everyone better get the popcorn ready as we head towards the next qualifying event at Willinga Park in February next year; it’s going to be an exciting few months.