By Lucinda Casey, Grade IV Para Dressage Athlete and Equine Pathways Australia Athlete
At first glance, the numbers appear modest: Twenty-four riders. Twenty-five horses. Two nations represented.
Yet behind those statistics lies one of the most important gatherings of Para Dressage athletes in Australia this year.
For the riders competing, this event is far more than another competition. It represents years of training, rehabilitation, setbacks, determination and unwavering commitment to a sport that demands excellence from both horse and rider.
For many, the journey to a CPEDI arena began not with dreams of international competition, but with injury, illness, disability or life-changing circumstances that required them to rebuild confidence, identity and purpose.
Today, those same athletes are competing at international level.
The Sydney CPEDI showcases a diverse field of competitors, from emerging combinations taking their first steps into international competition through to experienced athletes pursuing World Championship and future Paralympic ambitions.
The horses are equally remarkable.
The competition field reflects the diversity of the modern Para Dressage horse. Warmbloods remain strongly represented, but the entry list also includes Friesians, Australian Warmbloods, Welsh breeds, part-breds and horses from a variety of backgrounds. Their ages range from young developing athletes through to experienced campaigners over sixteen years of age.
What unites them is not breed, age or pedigree. It is their willingness to partner with their riders and perform at the highest level.
For Equine Pathways Australia (EPA), the event is particularly significant.
“To see riders progress from grassroots participation to competing on the international stage is something we are incredibly proud of…”
Founded to support people living with physical disabilities, injury and illness to access equestrian sport, EPA has always believed that participation and high performance are not mutually exclusive goals.
Athletes should be able to pursue riding for wellbeing, recreation, community connection or international excellence — and every pathway deserves equal support.
The presence of EPA athletes within the CPEDI environment demonstrates that Australian pathways are working.
Athletes who once attended clinics seeking confidence and connection are now competing alongside some of Australia’s most accomplished Para Dressage riders. That progression is something worth celebrating.
As EPA Head Coach Julia Battams explains, “One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is watching athletes grow in confidence and capability, regardless of where they begin their journey. To see riders progress from grassroots participation to competing on the international stage is something we are incredibly proud of. Every athlete’s success represents years of dedication, resilience and partnership, and it reinforces the importance of creating pathways that are both inclusive and aspirational.”
Among those athletes is Grade IV rider Alexandra Shepherd and her horse Micky, who are contesting just their second CPEDI at two-star level. Reflecting on the experience, Shepherd said, “Every time Micky and I step into the arena we learn something new about ourselves as a combination. Competing at our second CPEDI 2* is an exciting milestone and gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction. The support from the Para Dressage community and the inclusive nature of the sport make a huge difference — it’s a sport where everyone is encouraged to pursue their goals, and that keeps me motivated to keep improving and looking ahead to what the future might hold.”
One of the greatest challenges facing Australian Para Dressage is geographical isolation. Unlike Europe, where athletes regularly compete before packed grandstands and passionate spectators, Australian riders often perform in relatively quiet environments.
Every spectator counts
International competition is different: The atmosphere is bigger. The pressure is greater. The crowds are larger.
Learning to perform under those conditions is an important part of preparing athletes and horses for success on the world stage. That is why spectator support matters.
Every person who sits in the grandstand contributes to the competition environment. Every cheer, every round of applause and every show of encouragement helps prepare Australian combinations for what awaits them overseas.
The Sydney CPEDI provides a unique opportunity for the broader equestrian community to come together in support of Para Dressage: Dressage riders. Eventers. Show jumpers. Pony Club members. Breed enthusiasts. Western riders. Campdrafters. Families. Friends.
And members of the public who simply appreciate great sport. Everyone has a role to play, because while medals and selection opportunities may be the visible outcomes, the real story is larger than competition results.
It is about opportunity. Inclusion, and the extraordinary partnership between horse and rider.
And it is about ensuring Australia’s Para Dressage athletes have every chance to stand proudly alongside the world’s best.
As the road to the FEI World Championships in Aachen continues, Sydney offers Australian equestrians an opportunity to do something simple but powerful: Turn up. Fill the stands. Support the athletes.
And help demonstrate that Para Dressage has a strong and vibrant future in Australia.
Event information:
Hawkesbury Dressage Festival – CPEDI & Virtus
Sydney International Equestrian Centre
13–15 June 2026
Free spectator entry
For more information about Equine Pathways Australia, visit equinepathways.org.au.
