Juniors set the standard on a cracking day at SIEC
It was another cracking day on Friday at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, which began with what could only be described as an “Olympic-level” Junior class. The standard was quite extraordinary in this CDI-J Individual Test — a group of exceptionally talented young riders partnered with beautifully schooled horses, all presented with a level of professionalism well beyond their years.
Scores reflected the quality, with many combinations comfortably exceeding the 70% mark.
Taking top honours was Zali Mills aboard Royal Diamond Jubilee with 72.108%. The judges praised the combination for its expression, uphill balance and confident, polished presentation. Every movement appeared well prepared and thoughtfully shown, resulting in a deserved victory in a very strong field.
In second place was Marley Yates riding Secret Rose, a small black mare with a successful European young horse background where she had Australian Grace Kay in the saddle. Marley then rode her in Europe for her CDI-J debut, before importing the mare to Australia. This combination has shown improvement over previous outings, appearing more consolidated and secure. The mare possesses lovely natural paces and is ridden with feel by Marley. A score of 70.931% for second place.
In third on 70.588% was Rosemary Heagney with Sonic K, a horse formerly produced and competed by Karen Blythe from young horse to Small Tour. This combination was consistent across the board on their scoresheet with a polished final centreline capping off a great test.
Jake Parbery, riding Cooramin Despacito, once again demonstrated his trademark polish and effectiveness in the saddle, rounding out another competitive performance amongst a very deep and talented junior field. This combination scored an impressive 70.490% for fourth place.
Tia Rose McKenzie and Phenomenon claim second CDI-Y win
The CDI-Y Individual Test saw the same winner as yesterday’s Team Test in Tia Rose McKenzie and Phenomenon, with the duo scoring 68.059%. New Zealand’s Piper Crake rose to second place in this test, scoring 65.794%, with Rosemary Heagney and MSJ Nemo third on 64.765%. These three riders – as well as New Zealand’s Samantha Belsham, who was fifth with Donero RH on 64.618% – will now look forward to tomorrow’s Freestyle, which will contribute to deciding the result of the Trans-Tasman Dressage Challenge.
Susan Elekessy and Callum Park Damascus win the Inter B
Susan Elekessy’s success in the Medium Tour continued with another win in the Intermediate B aboard Callum Park Damascus on 67.433%. Brooke Ellis and Mountain Creek Valia placed second with 63.649%, while Holly Barnes and Rosabella R rounded out the top thee on 62.883%.
CDI1* Intermediate I goes to Matthew Dowsley and Bradgate Park Delaney
Matthew Dowsley again took a convincing win in the Inter I with a very accurately ridden test aboard Bradgate Park Delaney, scoring 70.176%. There were no mistakes in the changes on Friday, and there was clear improvement in both balance and fluency through the medium and extended trot work. The first canter pirouette perhaps could have shown a little more lift, but the second was notably better.
This horse is still very young at the level — indeed, this may only have been its second Inter I — and already producing a score above 70%, the natural progression will likely be into the Inter II. Having already seen glimpses of piaffe and passage, there are certainly higher marks to come as the level increases. By De Niro, this mare shows plenty of strength and power, combined with a genuine toughness and willingness — she is a real fighter who tries her heart out. The partnership is clearly harmonious and developing into an exciting combination for the future.
In second place was Bangalow Creek Chilli Pepper for Katina Smith on 68.706%. Bred, produced and trained by Katina on her property at Bangalow, this is a wonderful example of a home-produced horse rising through the levels. Chilli Pepper is very much true to her name — sharp, expressive and full of personality. Friday’s test was fluent, effortless and easy to watch, with great expression and developing self-carriage. The canter work continues to improve, the changes are straight as a die, and the overall attitude in the ring is becoming far more settled. Having also shown early signs of piaffe and passage, this is another exciting horse for the future.
Third place went to Sugarloaf Amnesty with Celeste Amezdroz on 66.824%. A neat, unassuming mare, Amnesty goes about her work with a quiet, compliant attitude. There is a lovely harmony between horse and rider — they simply cruise through each movement without unnecessary tension or overreaction, maintaining a contained and consistent level of energy throughout.
Overall, it was a very interesting class to watch, with plenty of discussion around the judging and what is currently being rewarded. There were some thought-provoking conversations ringside regarding the direction of scoring and the priorities of the judges, adding another layer of interest to an already engaging competition.
AEIE NSW Young Horse & Pony Championships – Round 2
The young horse classes Friday provided not only a showcase of exceptional talent but also some variation in judging opinions as to which horses stood out as the very best.
In the four-year-old class, it was once again the in-form and clear favourite Stryker K, ridden by Karen Blythe, who took top honours with an impressive 88.4% — nearly five percent ahead of the field. The gelding’s scores reflected the quality of the performance, including 9.5 for submission, 9 for perspective, and strong marks across all paces. This horse is currently sweeping all before it, collecting blue ribbons at every outing.
In second place was Victoria Luxford with Valdare on 83.8%, followed by Robbie McKinnon on Verstappen DS with 79.2%. The top combinations from each age group will return Saturday, to be ridden by New Zealand guest rider Kallista Field in the final.
Read more: KALLISTA FIELD TURNS EYE TO SYDNEY CDI – Equestrian Life, March 2026
The five-year-old class saw MW Boom come to the fore in impressive fashion for Jessica Dertell with a score of 81%. A big, elastic, loose-moving horse with a naturally uphill way of going, MW Boom scored strongly, including 8.6 for canter, 8 for submission, and 8.4 for perspective.
Close behind in second place was Glenhill Quatessence, ridden by Riley Alexander. This chestnut gelding, already a winner at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars earlier this year, continues to build an exciting record, scoring 80.2%. These two will be key contenders tomorrow under Kallista Field. Melanie Schmerglatt and Regal Ballerina were third on 74.2%.
In the six-year-old class, Riley Alexander again featured prominently, taking the win on Glenhill Totil Star with 85%. The striking black mare by Totilas showed great expression, though perhaps a little tight in the neck, and with a few mistakes in the changes. Totil Star will benefit from relaxing more into the work and developing a more open topline as she matures.
In second place was Lizzie Wilson-Fellows on Hollands Bend Secret’s Out with 83.6%, another quality horse heading into tomorrow’s final. Danielle McMahon and Remi Furstin Hit placed third with 80.6%.
The seven-year-old class was won by Osaka P and Jess Dertell with 75.672%, including strong marks for paces and test execution. This is a huge-moving horse, particularly in the canter, which is naturally uphill with outstanding flying changes.
Second place went to BC Memphis, ridden by Sally Rizzuto, finishing on 70.886% after a confident and well-ridden test. Third place went to Emillio, ridden by Rodney Martin, on 69.115%.
It will be fascinating to see these very different types and training systems come together Saturday when ridden by Kallista Field in the finals.
Kingsfield Numerella claims Young Pony Final
Round two of the Young Pony classes saw a shuffling of results in the four-year-old division, with HF No Questions for Stacey Willis claiming the win Friday with 75%. In second was KL Resignation with Kelly Ralph in the saddle (72.2%), and in third was Alycia Targa riding Delightful Dancer (72.2%).
In the five-year-old class, Kaila Simms rode Dream Dancer BHI to a score of 66.6% as the sole competitor.
The six-year-old class followed the same results as round one, with Kingsfield Numerella winning for Courtney Larard on 75%, ahead of Belmore Park Dream Girl for Kelly Ralph on 62.4%.
In the Young Pony Final, it was Kingsfield Numerella who emerged the winner with a score of 75.4%, ahead of HF No Questions for Stacey Willis (73.6%) and Dream Dancer BHI for Kaila Simms (71%).
Jodie Dunstan and Hollands Bend Highlander win the CDI3* Grand Prix Special
Four combinations contested the CDI3* Grand Prix Special in the afternoon, and it was a tightly contested class with the marks clustered closely between 66% and 64%.
Jodie Dunstan took the win riding the big, bold Hollands Bend Highlander with 66.383%, showing good power and passage as always, and with the changes improved from the Grand Prix. There was a clean line of one-time changes between the pirouettes, as well as clean twos, making for a confident and convincing performance.
In second place was Prequel for Tanisha Ryan, achieving a PB score of 65.447%. This was a very neat and pleasing test, although perhaps the judges marked the combination down for being, at times, a little short in the neck. There was some good piaffe and passage shown, and overall, it was a very fluent and polished performance with Tanisha looking very calm and confident in her riding.
Third place went to New Zealand’s Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH on 64.851%. This combination is still not quite finding the ideal rhythm and continuity in the piaffe, but there were some wonderful moments, particularly in the extended trot, where the quality and expression were evident.
In fourth place was Rozzie Ryan riding Bronze Boy with 64.404%. This was a fluent and correct test, though the piaffe lost marks for lack of engagement and rhythm. It is certainly improving, but as yet it is not quite established at the right moments in the test. This horse shows great flow from one movement to the next, and Rozzie rides every movement with excellent preparation and positioning. She never throws a mark away — a great combination.
Just prior to the Special was the CDI-U25 Grand Prix, were the results were reversed from the Thursday’s Inter II. Danielle McMahon took the win with Remi Lauries Joy on 64.128%, while Tanisha Ryan and Jembrae Rattle N Hum were the runners up.
CDN Grand Prix Freestyle: A fitting finale
The CDN Grand Prix Freestyle was a real treat. David McKinnon, riding the newly imported Lea Rianm owned by Carol and Sandy Oatley, produced a freestyle of wonderful harmony, submission and flow. Remarkably, this was the first freestyle the combination had ridden together.
It was inspiring. It was harmonious. The music interpretation was excellent, and the small but educated crowd watched in appreciative silence. It was a very good percentage for a very good test; 75.565%.
This combination has improved out of sight in the few months since the horse arrived in Australia. David and this horse have already formed a genuine partnership, shown in the ease and fluency from one complicated Grand Prix movement to another. Had this test been in the CDI rather than the CDN, it may well have pushed the top combinations to the limit.
In second place was Megan Keir riding Revelwood Queens County. For her first Grand Prix Freestyle at a major competition, Megan did a great job. The test was harmonious, confident and showed real ease through the movements. The partnership between Megan and Queens County was very clear; 69.265%.
Sue Hearn and Galaxy finished third. This palomino gelding shows great athleticism in piaffe and passage, and Sue made a strong effort to harmonise the work with the music. A few mistakes, especially in the extended trot where Galaxy broke, affected the score of 65.25%.
It was a very good CDN competition, with a strong winning score. Held in the evening, it was a shame this class was not staged on Saturday night during the dinner, as it was a great class to watch and a fitting finish to the day’s competition.
Congratulations to all involved in a great win for David McKinnon. Performances like this are never the work of just one person, one trainer or one owner. They are the result of an entire family and team working together — and this evening, it was very obvious that everything came together beautifully.
