Australia's emerging dressage riders delivered impressive performances at the 2026 EBM Group Australian Youth Dressage Championships, held over four days at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre. Competitors across various age groups showcased professionalism and tight contests, highlighting the sport's promising future. Standout wins came in FEI divisions, with scores reflecting high skill levels.
The 2026 EBM Group Australian Youth Dressage Championships highlighted the depth of young talent in Australian dressage, featuring four days of competition at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre. Riders displayed maturity, camaraderie, and sportsmanship throughout the event.
In the under-25 Grand Prix classes, Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro dominated the FEI Big Tour Championship, winning all three tests with scores exceeding 70%. Charlotte Richardson and Liberta took reserve honors, scoring 65.950% in the Grand Prix Freestyle, behind Dertell and Kilimanjaro's 72.580%.
The Prix St Georges was closely fought, with Jessica Martin and Zanzibar clinching victory at 63.922%, edging out Jade Wilkinson and Sharellen Gadarene by just 0.4%. Wilkinson and Sharellen Gadarene then secured the FEI Small Tour Championship, winning the Intermediate I at 65.980% and the Intermediate I Freestyle at 69.358%.
The FEI Young Rider division saw intense rivalry. Rosie Heagney and MSJ Nemo won the Teams Test at 64.657%, a mere 0.05% ahead of Jazi French and Syriana. French and Syriana took the Individual Test at 63.637%, narrowly beating Heagney's 63.480%. Heagney and MSJ Nemo claimed the championship with a 72.425% Freestyle, while French and Syriana finished reserve at 72.208%, separated by less than one percentage point overall.
Millicent Fletcher and Amsterdam swept the FEI Junior classes, peaking at 76.067% in the Freestyle for the overall title. Zali Mills and Royal Diamond Jubilee placed consistently second as reserves, with 10 riders underscoring Australia's junior potential.
Morgan Cockerell and Monteith Brunton won the FEI Pony Freestyle at 69.642%, with Olivia Roberts and Chapel House Gwilym as reserves. Lily Diss and Butterfly DS took the FEI Children's Championship with scores from 66.857% to 71.700%, while Jude May and Flowervale Bollinger, never below 68%, were reserves.
In para dressage, Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic 2 led Grade II with 70.690% and 71% in Tests A and B. Ella Newbery and Bloomfield Royal Princess topped Grade III at 67.667% and 71.334%. Darcy Macaulay and Parklands Faltango won Grade IV at 62.292% and 67.838%.
Lower levels featured numerous age-group winners, including Jessica Dertell in Advanced and Medium (22-25 years) with Osaka P, and various pony and novice champions like Molly Farran and Kohinoor Rock My World.