Australian Pony Club riders have claimed two team victories, an individual win and a Most Improved award at the 2026 Pony Club International Virtual Dressage Show.
Riders from Pony Clubs across Australia competed against international counterparts in classes ranging from Training Level through to Third Level, along with Prix Caprilli and Dressage to Music.
The virtual competition gave riders the opportunity to represent their country without travelling overseas, submitting recorded dressage tests for assessment by international judges.
Among the highlights were team victories in Dressage to Music and Prix Caprilli, an individual win for Queensland’s Ella Forbes, and a Most Improved award for Victoria’s Ella Hogan in the two-round Training Challenge.
Class 6: Dressage to Music
Australia claimed victory in the USDF First Level Freestyle (Dressage to Music) team competition, finishing first of six teams.
The Australian team scored 212 points, narrowly ahead of Team International B on 211.055 points, with the Republic of Ireland third on 204.000.
Queensland’s Ella Forbes and Aztec Eagle Star, from Samford Golden Valley Pony Club, also secured an individual victory, winning the class with 75.056%.
Ella’s performance received 72.778% for the technical component and 77.333% for artistic presentation.
Her Australian teammates also recorded strong results:
Ava Irwin and Isle of Roxborough, Bamawm Extension Pony Club, Victoria: 5th individually, 69.639%.
Brianna Ballesty and A Tuscan Sunrise, Maryborough Pony Club, Victoria: 10th, 67.306%.
Together, the three riders secured one of Australia’s two team victories at the competition.
Class 2: Prix Caprilli
Australia claimed first place in the Prix Caprilli team competition, which also formed Round 2 of the International Training Challenge.
The Australian team finished on 259.232 points, ahead of Zambia (250.001) and New Zealand (247.693).
The winning Australian team comprised:
Charlotte Collins and Flowerdale Titanium, Cobbitty Pony Club, NSW: 3rd individually, 69.231%.
Charlotte Neilson and Halycan Affair of the Heart, Vines Pony Club, NSW: 9th, 65.385%.
Ella Hogan and Plein Ciel, Moyhu Pony Club, Victoria: 11th, 64.231%.
Catherine Duck and Eulinga Dollar Girl, Briagolong & District Pony Club, Victoria: Equal 21st, 60.385%.
Charlotte Collins’ third placing was an excellent individual result, while Ella Hogan achieved another significant milestone in the International Training Challenge.
Ella won the Prix Caprilli Most Improved award, increasing her score from 57.692% in Round 1 to 64.231% in Round 2, an improvement of 6.539 percentage points. This was the largest improvement recorded across the international field.
Catherine Duck also improved by 4.231 percentage points, while Charlotte Collins lifted her score by 3.077 percentage points.
Class 5: Third Level
Three Australian riders contributed to a second-place finish for Team International B in the USEF Third Level Test 1 competition.
The team finished on 252.838 points, narrowly behind New Zealand on 256.486.
The Australian representatives were:
Ellie Stenzel and River Range Honey Gold, West Toowoomba Pony Club, Queensland: 6th individually, 62.838%.
Amelia Bressington and Weemala Renegade, Londonderry Pony Club, NSW: 7th, 62.568%.
Abigail Graham and Wyann Guns and Roses, Mount Lofty Pony Club, South Australia: 9th, 60.135%.
The three riders joined Alexia Shie and Macho, who scored 67.297%, to secure the team’s runner-up finish.
Class 4: Second Level
Three Australian riders were entered in the USEF Second Level Test 1:
- Illiana Way and La Princesse, Macedon Pony Club, Victoria
Kassie Pontifex and Dark Whiskey, Widgee Pony Club, Queensland
Kelly Hannigan and Manooka Hoot, Meeniyan Pony Club, Victoria
Isabella McConachy and KM Deana, Loopline Pony Club, NSW
Individual and team results remain pending and will be added when available.
Class 3: First Level
Georgia Coward and Autumn French Rose, from Esperance Pony Club in Western Australia, recorded Australia’s highest individual placing in the USEF First Level Test 1, finishing fourth in Class 3B with 67.222%.
Georgia was joined by two other Australian riders in the First Level Class 3B team competition:
Amy Bennett and Rosebank Riverdance, Merricks Pony Club, Victoria: 10th individually, 63.519%.
Aurelia Martin and Hunter Park Baby Belle, Cooranbong Pony Club, NSW: 14th, 61.111%.
Team result: Australia finished fourth with a combined score of 191.852 points, behind New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Class 1: Training Level
Australian riders produced several strong performances in the USDF Training Level Test 1, which also formed Round 2 of the International Training Challenge.
Grace Jones and Bella Carmena, from Huntingfield Pony & Riding Club in Tasmania, secured Australia’s highest placing, finishing third in Class 1A with 68.462%.
Daisy Laycock and Moment In Time, from Apsley Pony Club in Victoria, finished fifth in Class 1A with 67.500%.
In Class 1B, Harriet Le Grand and Art Dealer, from Ballarat Pony Club in Victoria, placed seventh with 67.885%. The combination also improved its Training Challenge score by 0.962 percentage points, up from 66.923% in Round 1.
Australia’s remaining representatives were:
Isabel Smith and Wedderlie Park Petit Noir, Wellington Pony Club, NSW: 13th in Class 1A, 64.038%.
Esther Coxon and Fastnet Princess, Apsley Pony Club, Victoria: 18th in Class 1B, 52.885%.
Team results: Australia finished eighth with a combined score of 256.732 points. Isabel Smith competed as part of Team International, which finished seventh with 257.307 points.
Congratulations to our Australian riders
The Pony Club International Virtual Dressage Show provides riders with an opportunity to gain international competition experience while representing their local Pony Clubs and their country.
From team and individual victories to improvements achieved through the Training Challenge, Australia’s results reflect the commitment of riders and the support of their coaches, families and Pony Clubs.
Pony Club Australia congratulates all Australian riders who participated in the 2026 competition and thanks everyone who supported them throughout the event.
This article will be updated when the Class 4 Second Level results become available.
