Day three of the EBM Dressage by the Sea featured standout performances in freestyle events and young horse classes, alongside a riders' forum on the sport's future. Jayden Brown and Quincy B won the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle with a personal best of 78.500%. The event highlighted competitive depth across various levels.
The EBM CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle served as the highlight, where Jayden Brown riding Quincy B earned 78.500% with a test set to iconic Australian classics, produced by Tori Stuckey of Sand Dancer Freestyles. The performance included multiple 9.0 scores for canter pirouettes, two-time tempis, and music interpretation, showcasing harmony and power in a packed arena.
Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR took second place at 72.800%, marking the first use of a snaffle bridle under the new rule effective January 1. "He tried his heart out for me," Flavelle-Watts said. "I’m just so proud of him." Jayden Brown also placed third with Legendary at 72.075% in its CDI Grand Prix debut.
In the Construction Control CDN Grand Prix Freestyle, Matthew Lord and Remi Vigneron won with 70.075% in their first such event. "I’m so proud of Vino," Lord said. "We took a couple of risks in our choreography to match our bold music and they paid off with Vino doing an amazing job!" Fiona Guthrie-Smith and Levade This scored 66.575% for second, and Susan Elekessy and Callum Park Geneva took third at 62.290%.
Other classes saw close competition. Maddison Foster and Revelwood Desmond won the Mulawa Performance Horses CDI2* Intermediate B at 70.540%. Robbie McKinnon and QS Sierra edged out the Dressage NSW class win at 71.853%, with the top seven over 67%. Young horse rounds featured high scores, including Robbie McKinnon and Verstappen DS at 89.600% in the four-year-old class.
The day ended with a riders' forum led by Deon Stokes, featuring judges Maria Schwenneson, Peter Storr, Susie Hoevenaars, and Eva-Maria Vint-Warmington. Discussions focused on harmony, happy athletes in correct frames, and small score margins of 0.5 to 1 mark. Judges emphasized collaboration with FEI and competitors for dressage's future.