The Sydney CDI delivered a fascinating and at times thought-provoking competition, bringing together developing young horses, emerging riders, and established Grand Prix combinations under an international ground jury. Across the board, there was quality, depth, and plenty of discussion.
Round 1 of the AEIE NSW Young Horse & Pony Championships
The young horse classes set the tone for the event, showcasing a strong pipeline of talent.
In the four-year-old division, Karen Blythe and Stryker K – this year’s Dressage and Jumping with the Stars Champion of Champions – once again proved why he is such a standout, taking the win in this class with an outstanding mark of 88%. Awarded a 10 for submission, the horse improved throughout the test, building from a slightly conservative start into a more expressive and confident performance. As the test developed, so too did the quality, finishing as a clear and deserved winner.
Close behind on 86.4% was a striking bay gelding named Valdare, by Vitalis out of an Ampere mare, ridden by Tori Luxford. This horse continues to improve with each outing, showing excellent uphill balance, expressive canter work, and a real willingness to perform. The trot is still developing but promises much for the future.
In third place on 82.4%, Riley Alexander presented Glenhill Ilyas, another quality young horse by Ibiza, demonstrating consistency and good basics across the board.
The seven-year-old class highlighted one of the most exciting prospects of the show. Osaka P, ridden by Jessica Dertell, impressed with his uphill canter, natural balance, and clear Grand Prix potential. A winning score of 76.550%.
In second place was Rodney Martin and Emillio by Escamillo; while still a little green, he certainly shows elegance and scope with good changes and the quality of the work was undeniable, marking him as a horse to watch for the future. He does have a great work ethic. A score of 72.918% (with a penalty).Romany Sanna on Kenlock Majestic Sky placed third with 71.172%.
In the five-year-old class, it was another win for Glenhill Sporthorses, with Riley Alexander and Glenhill Quatessence finishing at the top of the leaderboard with 80.4%. Jocelyn West was second riding MacArthur Sting (75.8%), followed by Melanie Schmerglatt and Regal Ballerina on 75%.
In the first round of the six-year-old class, Daniella McMahon and Remi Furstin Hit enjoyed a win with 82.2%, just head of Glenhill Totil Star for Riley Alexander with 80%. Third place went to Rebecca Rooke and Furst Supernova on 75.7%; this mare is by Fürst Heinrich out of New Star LP, who is competing successfully in the CDN Big Tour classes here in Sydney.
In the young pony classes, PP Melody for Keira Shaw won the four-year-old division with 74.3%, ahead of Alycia Targa and Delightful Dancer (71.2%) and Isobelle Muller with FL Giacomo (70.4%).
In the five-year-old class, there was just the one entrant: Dream Dancer BHI for Kaila Simms, who scored 72.2%. The six-year-old class has two entrants, with Courtney Larard and Kingsfield Numerella scoring a win on 78.6%, ahead of Kelly Ralph and Belmore Park Dream Girl on 72.4%.
Small Tour
The CDI1* Prix St Georges was a class very well worth watching, with a strong field producing a number of quality performances and a top three that clearly separated themselves through consistency and polish.
Taking the win was Matthew Dowsley and Bradgate Park Delaney, who produced a composed and accurate test that set the standard for the class. Riding with quiet authority, Matthew delivered a performance that combined correctness with expression, showing a horse that remained balanced and through from start to finish. The work was clear, the lines precise, and the overall impression one of harmony and control. A score of 71.206%.
In second place, Robbie McKinnon and QS Sierra delivered a test full of quality, showing good activity and presence, particularly in the trot work. There was a strong sense of energy and willingness, with moments of real expression that caught the eye. At times, the test perhaps lacked the same level of consistency as the winning ride, but the quality within the work ensured a well-deserved placing. A score of 71.176%.
Finishing third, Katina Smith once again demonstrated her ability to produce a correct and competitive test with Bangalow Creek Chilli Pepper. Known for her accuracy and feel, Katina presented a harmonious combination that worked well within itself, showing clear lines and balanced lateral work. While perhaps not as expansive as some others in the class, the correctness and reliability of the test kept her firmly in contention.
Overall, it was a class that highlighted the depth of talent within the Small Tour ranks, with combinations showing both emerging quality and established consistency. It also reinforced just how important it is at this level to deliver not only moments of brilliance, but a complete and cohesive test.
The CDN Inter I saw another win for Glenhill Vivid and Riley Alexander, with the combination scoring 71.470% to back up their CDN Prix St Georges win from Wednesday. In second place was Sophie Artup with the pony stallion Charlie Sheen 5 (68.922%), while Jessica Dertell was third riding Highfields Bella Vita (67.892%).
In the Medium Tour, Susan Elekessy and Callum Park Damascus claimed a win with 67.696% in the Intermediate A, finishing ahead of Anne-Catherine Preuss on SPH Sir Oktagonal (66.569%) and Holly Barnes with Rosabella R (64.118%).
CDI-Y Young Rider Team Test
In the FEI Young Rider class, part of the Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge, Tia Rose McKenzie and Phenomenon delivered a superb performance to claim a unanimous victory on 69.235%. The test featured expressive trot work and correct, flowing changes, pushing the combination close to the 70% mark.
Angelina Thompson followed in second aboard Arnage Royal Edition, presenting a bold, big-framed horse with a controlled and steady test for 67.382%. In third was MSJ Nemo for Rosemary Heagney, produced a polished and visually impressive performance for a score of 66.5%.
The CDI-J Junior Team Test also took place on Thursday, with several exciting combinations and scores. Marley Yates rode the imported Secret Rose – and horse that was campaigned by Grace Kay and Marley herself in Europe before coming to Australia – to a close win on 69.849%. Rosemary Heagney and Sonic K were second on 69.192%, while Zali Mills rounded out a strong-scoring top three with Royal Diamond Jubilee on 68.586%.
CDI3* Grand Prix
The CDI3* Grand Prix was a small but competitive class, with scoring widely regarded as conservative.
Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe delivered a fluent and elegant test, showing good passage work and overall harmony. Despite a mistake in the two-tempi changes, the performance was otherwise clean and consistent, earning two firsts and three second placings across the competition with scores ranging from 67% to 71% for a total of 68.717% to claim the win.
Jayden Brown followed closely with three firsts, a second, and a third placing. The horse showed significant talent, with expressive work and clear quality in the paces for 67.935%.
However, under modern judging trends that place increasing emphasis on contact, it was noted that moments of inconsistent contact were visible. Whether penalised or offset by the quality of the underlying work remains open to interpretation. Regardless, this is a combination with clear potential and one to watch moving forward.
Third place went to last year’s winners from New Zealand, Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH on 66.369%.
With the CDI3* Grand Prix and CDI-Y Team Test complete, Australia has a lead over New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge. The competition will be decided on Saturday following the results of the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle and CDI-Y Freestyle.
In other Big Tour classes, David McKinnon rode the imported Lea Rian to a win in the CDN Grand Prix, scoring 69.674%. The Inter II winners, Riley Alexander and New Star LP, placed a close second on 69.543%, while Sue Hearn and Galaxy were third on 67.804%.
In the CDI Under 25, there were two combinations in the Inter II: Tanisha Ryan won the test with Jembrae Rattle N Hum on 65.059%, with Danielle McMahon in second riding Remi Lauries Joy.
Strength of Australian dressage
Across the competition, there was a consistent theme of compressed scoring, with many combinations grouped within a narrow band of percentages. This created discussion among riders and spectators, particularly around the application of marks and the differentiation between performances.
Despite this, the Sydney CDI once again demonstrated the strength of Australian dressage, from young horse development through to Grand Prix level, and provided valuable insight into the direction of the sport under current judging standards.
Competition continues Friday and Saturday.
