The VEIS is made up of four rounds, commencing in February at Boneo Park on behalf of the South East Zone, followed by Round 2 hosted by Geelong Grammar at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, and Round 3 hosted by Girton Grammar at Elmore Equestrian Centre. The Grand Final is set to be held in June.
This year’s VEIS naming rights sponsor is Active Equine. Active Equine has their own range of horse rugs that blend quality, style and durability into all of their designs. Active Equine also has a large range of products to support all equestrian activities, from grooming to riding. Designed by riders for riders, their range offers exceptional value.
The VEIS also welcomes back Sharlene Phillips of One Eyed Frog Photography, who has been a long-time supporter and sponsor of the series and takes such lovely photos of all levels.
Round 3 takes place at Elmore
Early May saw Round 3 of the VEIS Dressage, hosted by Girton Grammar, take place in incredibly difficult weather conditions at Elmore, with hail, thunderstorms and lightening leading to delays across the event – presenting some very challenging warm up conditions for all riders.
Champion in the Preparatory division for Round 3 was Astrid O’Reilly riding Earlsley Park Fine China, followed closely by Ava Dillon on Wynara Foxy Lady as Reserve.
Eve Moloney was crowned Champion in Elmore riding Mallawa Park Bootilicious followed by Imogen Diss on Rivington Tegwen for Reserve in the Primary Preliminary class.
The Intermediate Preliminary for Round 3 was hotly contested, with Jayde Coady riding Weston Park Minardi narrowly pipping Monroe Bellett on Crescendo Magic in a countback.
The Senior Preliminary was a large class, with Lily Clear Graham riding both her horses Google NZPH and Doc Hudson to Champion and Reserve.
Madeline Bridge, riding Dance On Air, took out the Novice Primary class while the Novice Intermediatewas narrowly won by Edith Rode riding Ironbark Jester, with Ella McQuillan on Deck The Halls in Reserve.
In the Novice Senior, Camille Mason riding FHF Fortunate One had a strong performance to win both tests, with Holly Arthur and Adalie Park Chevel Delight in Reserve.
Despite the horrendous conditions, Mia Baxter riding Bella Tricks and Morgan Cockerell riding Monteith Brunton were crowned Champion and Reserve respectively in the Elementary, while Morgan also rode IBN KY Gold Rush to champion in the Medium, with Mietta Lumsden and Double TT Debonair in Reserve.
Jessica Lowe and Redgum James 007 were Champions in the Advanced, with Bianca Griffiths and Glyndower Brea Galahad in Reserve.
The Active Equine VEIS Leaderboard includes:
Preparatory
Astrid O’Reilly and Earsley Park Fine China
Ava Dillon and Aynara Foxy Lady
Primary Preliminary
Isabella Hardman and Jarosite Gryffindor
Imogen Diss and Rivington Tegwen
Intermediate Preliminary
Ivy Williams and Grantulla Daft Punk
Hayley Pritchard and Pretty Hill Stardust
Senior Preliminary
Millie O’Brien and Oceans Levu
Katelin Fakira and Callum Park Florentine
Primary Novice
Ned Restall and Bling Du Rouet
Lyla Woolston and Loriot Skyes The Limit
Intermediate Novice
Edith Rode and Ironbark Jester
Ella McQuillan and Deck The Halls
Senior Novice
Holly Arthur and Adalie Park Chevel Delight
Shayleigh Joblin and Foxleigh Bretonneux
Elementary
Mia Baxter and Bella Tricks
Morgan Cockerell and Monteith Brunton
Medium
Morgan Cockerell and IBN KY Gold Rush
Rosemary Heagney and Sancho RW
Advanced
Bianca Griffiths and Glyndower Brea Galahad
Jessica Lowe and Redgum James 007
Small Tour
Rosemary Heagney and MSJ Nemo
Zali Mills and Royal Diamond Jubilee
The Active Equine VEIS Grand Final will take place at Werribee Park on June 13. Riders compete for 1.5x points in the Grand Final, with the top two riders of each level invited to join Team Victoria at the 2026 Horseland Australian Interschool Championships (27 September – 1 October), this year hosted at Werribee Park in Victoria.
Thank you to Michelle Heagney and the VEIS for supplying this article.
