Tayla Desmet and her homebred six-year-old, Dark Diamond. Image by Wiktoria Rożnowska.
Homebred gelding Dark Diamond will again fly the flag for Australia at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Germany. Rider-breeder Tayla Desmet reflects on Zack’s development, international success and long-term Grand Prix ambitions ahead of their return to Verden.
Tayla Desmet and Dark Diamond are set to represent Australia for the second year running at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses, taking place in Verden, Germany, from 4-9 August.
Tayla Desmet competing with Dark Diamond at the 2025 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses as a five-year-old. Image by LL Foto.
“He loves learning and
always tries really hard.”
The six-year-old gelding, by Diamond Hit and out of Tayla’s Grand Prix mare Zaubermaus (Zonik), competed in the Small Final for Five-Year-Old Horses in Verden last year, scoring 79.6% for sixth place.
“After the World Young Horse Championships last year, Zack enjoyed a well-deserved break before we started preparing for his six-year-old season,” explains Tayla. “One of our main focuses was introducing the flying changes and continuing to build his strength, balance, and confidence.”
Tayla and Dark Diamond placed sixth in the Small Final at the 2025 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Image by LL Foto.
A horse full of personality, Zack has become much stronger physically and more mature mentally over the past year, according to Tayla.
“He loves learning and always tries really hard. We made sure to keep the training of the changes fun and gave him the time he needed to understand what I was asking. He’s a very clever horse and he picked up the flying changes really well, which was a nice way to start this year. I love the process of producing young horses and it is super rewarding to watch Zack develop… it’s the small improvements along the way that make the journey so satisfying.”
Zack’s competition year began with several national events aimed at building confidence, where Tayla felt the pair developed a really nice feeling together.
“The main focus was always on giving him confidence in the arena and allowing him to become comfortable with the new exercises in a competition environment. To introduce a new exercise at home and then be able to reproduce that same quality in the competition arena is a challenge on its own,” she explains.
To qualify for the World Young Horse Championships, the combination needed CDI scores, so two international events followed the national competitions. At the second event, in Sopot, Poland, in June, they received a strong 79.2% in the Final test.
“The test in Sopot was particularly nice because everything came together,” reflects Tayla. “I was able to guide Zack through the test and give him the confidence to show his quality in the arena. He stayed relaxed, focused, and really with me throughout. The walk was a real highlight, and the flying changes continue to feel more and more secure.
“Every competition is another step in their education, and I’m really pleased with the progress Zack has made so far.”
Tayla and Dark Diamond scored 79.2% for second place in the Final Test at a recent CDI in Sopot, Poland. Image by Wiktoria Rożnowska.
AUSTRALIANS IN VERDEN
Tayla will be joined in Verden by Jemma Heran and five-year-old mare Zauberfloete 10 (an Oldenburg mare by Zen Liquidity out of Hot Amour P.S., by San Amour), and Jessica Dertell with seven-year-old stallion Osaka P (a KWPN stallion by Escolar out of Capri P, by Florencio I).
The Australians will be led by Chef d’Équipe Maree Tomkinson, who has represented Australia at seven World Young Horse Championships between 2007 and 2024 and coached Tayla for many years in Australia.
While the World Young Horse Championships focus on individual horse performances and do not include overall team results, Tayla is looking forward to the camaraderie the event brings.
“The World Young Horse Championships is a really special event because it brings people together from all over the world who share the same passion for young dressage horses. There’s a unique atmosphere with a real sense of excitement and appreciation for the young horses,” enthuses Tayla.
“Representing Australia alongside Jess and Jemma, and having Maree as our Chef d’Équipe, is a great opportunity to be part of the Australian team at such an important event. While we’re all there to do the best job we can with our own horses, it’s nice to share the experience as a team, support one another, and celebrate each other’s successes. Those moments are a big part of what makes this championship so memorable.
“The level of competition is incredibly high, the organisation is outstanding, and the atmosphere is something really special. It’s inspiring to see so many exceptional young horses, talented riders, and passionate breeders all in one place, all with the same goal of showcasing the future of our sport. Being a part of that environment and representing Australia on the world stage is really a privilege.”
For Tayla, the ultimate goal with Dark Diamond is Grand Prix. Image by Wiktoria Rożnowska.
GRAND PRIX GOAL
While the young horse classes are proving to be an important part of Zack’s development and a valuable way to gain competition experience, success in these classes is not the primary goal.
“The ultimate goal is definitely to produce him to Grand Prix,” explains Tayla. “I want to take the time to develop him correctly and build him step by step so that he can reach his full potential as a Grand Prix horse. I’m super grateful to have Sebastian [Heinze’s] support. He always has many tools and ideas to help us improve and find solutions, while keeping the focus on a happy, confident horse and allowing Zack to develop in the best possible way.”
Tayla and her horses, including Zack and Zaubermaus, have been based at Sudenhof in Hagen aTW, Germany, where she has been training with Sebastian Heinze for the past two years.
Alongside Zack and Maus, Tayla also rides a number of client horses.
“It’s something I really enjoy, as it gives me the opportunity to be involved in the development of a variety of horses, each with their own strengths and personality,” she explains.
“I love being part of the process of producing horses and helping them progress through the different stages of their education. It is always satisfying to see them grow in confidence, strength, and understanding over time. That variety also keeps every day interesting and allows me to continue learning all the time.”
The training journey with Zack has been especially meaningful for Tayla, beginning in Australia and continuing on the other side of the globe.
“Zack is especially meaningful to me because I bred him and have had him since he was a foal. Being a part of his development from the very beginning makes every milestone that little bit more special, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see him continue to grow and fulfil his potential.
“I do believe he has the qualities to become a very nice Grand Prix horse. He has a natural talent for collection, a fantastic work ethic, and he genuinely enjoys his job, which is something you can’t teach. Of course, there is still a long journey ahead, but he has many of the qualities you look for in a future Grand Prix horse.”
AUSTRALIAN-BRED
At the World Young Horse Championships, Zack will be the only Australian-bred entrant this year.
“It is incredibly special to have an Australian bred horse competing. To see a homebred horse competing alongside some of the best young horses in the world is a wonderful reflection of the quality, dedication, and potential of Australian breeding.
“I believe it is a very positive step for the sport in Australia to have horses like Zack representing the country on an international stage. It provides an opportunity to showcase the talent and commitment of Australian breeders and shows that horses bred in Australia are also competitive at the highest levels of international sport.
“On a personal level, it makes the experience even more meaningful because I have known Zack from the very beginning. Having bred him and followed every stage of his development from a foal to an international competition horse has been a very special journey. It is really a privilege to now see him representing Australia at the World Young Horse Championships for a second time.” EQ
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