Pony Club Australia’s eight riders have made a strong start to the 2026 PCIA Virtual Dressage Training Challenge, recording two top-three finishes, two further top-seven results and encouraging performances across both team competitions.
The international challenge brings together Pony Club riders from around the world in a development-focused format. Following Round 1, riders receive feedback from international judges and use it to guide their training before riding and submitting the same test again in Round 2.
Training Level
Australia’s Training Level team placed fourth out of 10 teams with a combined score of 269.8 points.
Daisy Laycock and Grace Jones led the individual results for Australia, placing second and third respectively in USDF Training Level Test 1A.
Australia’s Training Level results were:
- 2nd: Daisy Laycock and Moment In Time, Apsley Pony Club, Victoria, 68.846%
- 3rd: Grace Jones and Bella Carmena, Huntingfield Pony & Riding Club, Tasmania, 68.654%
- 14th: Harriet Le Grand and Art Dealer, Ballarat Pony Club, Victoria, 66.923%
- 17th: Esther Coxon and Fastnet Princess, Apsley Pony Club, Victoria, 65.385%
Prix Caprilli
Australia’s Prix Caprilli team placed fifth overall with 247.8 points.
Prix Caprilli combines dressage movements with jumping elements, presenting riders with a different challenge to a traditional dressage test. Charlotte Neilson and Charlotte Collins produced excellent performances to finish sixth and seventh individually.
Australia’s Prix Caprilli results were:
- 6th: Charlotte Neilson and Halycon Affair of the Heart, Vines Pony Club, New South Wales, 67.692%
- 7th: Charlotte Collins and Flowerdale Titanium, Cobbitty Pony Club, New South Wales, 66.154%
- 25th: Ella Hogan and Plein Ciel, Moyhu Pony Club, Victoria, 57.692%
- 28th: Catherine Duck and Eulinga Doller Girl, Briagolong and District Pony Club, Victoria, 56.154%
Round 2 ahead
While the Round 1 results provide plenty to celebrate, the challenge is designed around learning and measurable improvement.
Each rider will now use the judges’ feedback to refine their training before filming their test again. Round 2 videos will be submitted between 20 and 30 September, with the final results expected in late October.
Congratulations to all eight riders on an excellent first round. We are proud of the way they have represented Pony Club Australia and look forward to following their progress through Round 2.
