Key Dates – 2026 Young Ambassador Program
- August 28: 2026 Ambassador Awards presented at the EV Annual Awards
2026 Top 3 Finalists
The Young Ambassador Program celebrates more than competition results—it recognises leadership, sportsmanship and a positive contribution to our sport. Congratulations to our Top 3 Young Ambassador finalists, announced following an outstanding 3 day program.
⭐ Darcy Thomson
⭐ Kathryn Brereton
⭐ Sabrina Gilmour
Congratulations to each of you, we look forward to celebrating the final announcement at the annual awards 28th August at RACV club in the city.
2026 Young Ambassador Program Applicant Information.pdf
The award is aimed at recognising athletes who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, performance, contribution to sport and leadership qualities in their chosen discipline. The nominee ages are:
- Dressage, Jumping and Eventing: Nominee is aged between 16-21 years.
- Show Horse applicants may be aged from 14-21 years.
- Para Dressage nominees may be aged 16-25 years.
Age is taken from the beginning of the calendar year in which you turn 16 (14 for Show Horse) until the end of the calendar year in which you reach the age of 21 (25 for Para Dressage). This means eligibility is determined by the calendar year in which a participant reaches the relevant age, rather than by their exact birthday.
Example: Show Horse applications, a rider who turns 14 at any point during the calendar year is eligible to apply from 1 January of that year. Similarly, a rider remains eligible until 31 December of the year in which they turn 21, regardless of when their birthday falls.
The award highlights the importance of being more than just a winner, with the shortlisted Top 10 finalists attending a specialised training weekend catering to the professional and personal development of the riders.
The Young Ambassador of the Year Top 10 Finalist weekend is one which all our Junior and Young Rider members look towards on their Equestrian Calendar.
The Top 10 Finalist Weekend is a showcase for all four disciplines (Dressage, Eventing, Jumping and Show Horse), attended by the 10 finalists to determine the Top 3 shortlisted nominees. The Top 3 nominees will then be invited to attend an interview with the selectors which will determine the Discipline Young Ambassador Awardee.
Contacts
For further information about the Young Ambassador Award and selection conditions please contact the Equestrian Victoria Office.
OUR 2025 winners
2025 YOUNG AMBASSADOR TOP 3 – JACKET PRESENTATION
On Saturday evening, just ahead of the EV Awards Night celebrations, the Top 3 Young Ambassadors from Dressage, Show Horse, Eventing, Jumping, and Para Dressage came together to receive their official jackets in recognition of their outstanding achievement.
Earning a place in the Top 3 of their discipline is a remarkable milestone within the Young Ambassador Program. To honour this, EV Equestrian Sports Manager Kathleen proudly presented each ambassador with a custom-embroidered jacket—symbolising their leadership, dedication, and future impact on our sport.
We’re incredibly proud of these inspiring young individuals and can’t wait to see the difference they’ll make in their communities and beyond.
2025 WINNERS
Congratulations to each of our Young Ambassadors for 2025:
