Outstanding Young Talent during P.S.I. Dressage & Jumping with the Stars

This year the event celebrated its 21st anniversary but the excitement about the quality, performances and prospects of watching Australia's best young horses year after year has not slowed down. P.S.I. DJWTS is one of the country's true multi-discipline events showcasing dressage, jumping, eventing and in-hand classes combined within a wonderful programme of masterclasses, hospitality and trade exhibitions.

Pictured: From L-R, Bluefield's Doris Day, Bertone, Willingapark Emotion and Sonic K with guest rider Therese Nilshagen and Francois Kasselmann © Ute Raabe

2019 Australian Young Horse Championships

The 4-year old Sonic K (Stedinger x Weltmeyer), the 5-year old Willingapark Emotion (by Equitaris x Florestan), the 6-year old Bertone (by Benicio x Falsterbo x Regazzoni) and the 7-year old Bluefield's Doris Day (by Desperados x Florencio) became the winners of the 2019 Australian Young Horse Championships. The four champions had faced tough competition in their respective age groups during the warm up rounds and finals with close scores and some big leaps up the leaderboard. Then it was up to visiting guest rider Therese Nilshagen from Sweden and the ground jury of Susie Hoevenaars (AUS), Raphael Saleh (FRA) and Trond Asmyr (NOR) to determine the Champion of Champions. Therese rode each horse beautifully with much tact and feel for their age and level of training. She also found encouraging words for all finalists.

Brett Parbery's elegant bay mare Willinga Park Emotion was crowned the 2019 Australian Young Dressage Horse Champion of Champions. Therese commented, "She is very willing to please the rider, a horse with many possibilities and she's on the way to be a very, very good horse for Australia!"

The Willinga Park team around owner Terry Snow was ecstatic too, "Wow, wow, wow, she's done it. We always knew she was a superstar mare — nice to be rewarded for top breeding, training and preparation this afternoon."

Pictured: Charlie Sheen showing his uphill canter @ Equine Images Victoria

2019 Australian Young Pony Championships

The 4-year old Glamour Rock BHI (by Golden Rock x Fidertanz), the 5-year old Kizashi (by Crave FF x Imperial Journal), and the 6-year old Charlie Sheen (by Cold Play x Jimmy) were the winners of the 2019 Australian Young Pony Championships, with the latter taking home the title of Australian Young Dressage Pony Champion of Champions. Danielle Walliss and Jenny Stock's imported stallion Charlie Sheen had dominated the 6-year old division, scoring 75.60% in the warm up round and increasing that score marginally to 76.60% for victory in the second round. In the Champion of Champions round, in which all three finalists were ridden by Therese Nilshagen, Charlie Sheen came out on top.

Pictured: Lewis Newton and DS Burlington Bertie © Equine Images Victoria

Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge

The Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge made its first appearance at its new home at P.S.I. DJWTS this year and 12 talented combinations rose to the challenge. In the end, the three finalists of Tayla Desmet and Bluefields Fürstentanz, Micky Bray and Flowervale Florenz and Lewis Newton and DS Burlington Bertie presented an exciting finale in which they had to ride the test first on their own and then again on their competitors' horses. The winner was 2015 Marcus Oldham Equine Management graduate, Lewis Newton. His mount, Moira Kelly's DS Burlington Bertie was also named the best horse, having the highest aggregate score of all three rides in the final round. Lewis receives a trip to the CHIO Aachen 2019 complete with airfares, accommodation and season pass courtesy of the generous sponsorship by Marcus Oldham.

Pictured: DMJ Donna Elena in the Grand Prix © Sharlene Phillips

Tomkinson Group CDI-W Grand Prix

Former Australian team rider Maree Tomkinson and her future star, 9-year old Hanoverian mare DMJ Donna Elena (by Don Schufro x Brentano II) made a strong international Grand Prix debut on Friday. They topped the leader board with a promising 69.652% in the Grand Prix with Katherine Farrell and Luxor (by Londonderry x Argentinus) in second place. However, on Saturday night it was 23-year old Katherine Farrell's turn to shine, winning her first major international Grand Prix level victory in the World Cup Qualifier Freestyle.

Pictured: 2019 Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions, Ciel © Michelle Terlato

2019 Young Jumping Horse Championships

The 4-year old JMH Veritas (by Versace x Carbine), the 5-year old Wild Kard (Kannan x Contango II), the 6-year old Lomachenko (by Lord Pezi) and the 7-year old Ciel (by Conquistador x Vivant) became the winners of the 2019 Young Jumping Horse Championships. Visiting guest rider Peppi Dahlmann from Germany noted how much the depth of quality had improved since his first visit in 2018. In the end it was the consistently jumping chestnut mare Ciel, bred by Pip and Sue Middleton and expertly ridden by Jamie Kermond, who impressed the judging panel of Becky Jenkins, Rory Hovell and Peppi Dahlmann the most to take home the Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions title. It was the first time Kermond had competed with a team of horses at Jumping with the Stars. "We had never been before and had heard so much about the show that when the opportunity arose to come we jumped at it and I am very glad we did," Kermond said.

Cavalli Park's impressive stallion Fontaine Blue VDL (by Toulon x Indoctro) placed in each round of the Rivenlee Current Stars event to take out the top honours for the second year running.

Pictured: 2019 Young Eventing Horse Champion of Champions, Danson Lincoln © Tim Herbert

2019 Young Eventing Horse Championships

Tattersalls and Chris Height were the winners of the HorseForce 4- and 5-year old class for eventing horses, while Danson Lincoln (by Licosto x Duellschutz) and Erin Callahan were victorious in the division for 6- and 7-year old horses. The gorgeous Danson Lincoln is no stranger to the podium, having won Champion honours at the inaugural YEH event in 2017. The gelding bred by Robyn Noonan again set the benchmark in 2019. Guest rider Craig Barrett was full of praise for this modern Warmblood type.

From the Director

Event Director Lizzy Schirmer said, "We are very pleased with how the event went and thank everyone for the positive feedback. I would like to congratulate all the winners and place getters, there were some outstanding performances which added to the excitement of our special multi-discipline event. With entries and spectator numbers exceeding expectations our team is very excited for the future with some special features already planned for the 2020 event. Thank you to all the riders, owners, sponsors, traders and spectators for contributing to a very successful 2019 event."

Performance Sales International has been naming rights sponsor of the Australian Young Horse Championships at DJWTS for many years and was represented by François Kasselmann on site.

The organising committee would also like to give thanks to the generous long-term sponsors such as International Horse Breeders, Rivenlee, Longvue, Atmosphere Events, IRT, Complete Supply Company, Mal Byrne Performance Saddlery, the Mansion Hotel & Spa, Tomkinson Group Dressage, Glenara Park, Carol Simpson and Jill Cobcroft and new supporters such as HorseForce Insurance, Marcus Oldham, the Australian Warmblood Horse Association, the Ballarat Veterinary Practice and Equine Clinic, the Social Equestrian, John Walker & Associates, Fiber Fresh, Furphy Media, Antares Australia, Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia, Leader Equine, Lara Tweedie Equestrian, BetaVet and Kelato. It was a well-rounded event prompting many positive responses from the riders. We hope to see everyone back in Werribee next year!