Four Days of Dressage Shine at the 2026 The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI & Dressage Queensland State Championships

Four days of outstanding competition, education, entertainment and celebration brought the Queensland State Equestrian Centre (QSEC) to life from 17–20 September for the 2026 The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI & Dressage Queensland State Championships.

Conducted by Event Director Anita Barton and Dressage Queensland, the event brought together international CDI competition, Queensland State Championship classes and participant level competition across a comprehensive program spanning Preliminary through to Grand Prix, alongside CDI Children, Pony, Junior, Young Rider, Under 25 and CDI3* Grand Prix divisions.

With competition running across multiple arenas, the event showcased riders and horses at every stage of the dressage pathway – from developing combinations through to some of Australia’s leading Grand Prix partnerships.

Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR Crowned CDI Big Tour Champions

Queensland’s Emma Flavelle-Watts and SCARLATTI MIO VSR emerged as the 2026 Cavaleira Equestrian CDI Big Tour Champions following three days of Grand Prix competition.

The combination opened their campaign by winning Friday’s CDI3* Grand Prix on 67.522%, ahead of Matthew Lord and REMI VIGNERON on 67.196%, with Jessica Dertell and KILIMANJARO third on 66.565%.

Saturday evening belonged to Dertell and KILIMANJARO, who produced a personal-best CDI Grand Prix Freestyle score of 72.180% to win the class ahead of Lord and REMI VIGNERON on 71.425%, while Flavelle-Watts and SCARLATTI MIO VSR finished third.

Flavelle-Watts and SCARLATTI MIO VSR returned to the winner’s circle in Sunday’s CDI3* Grand Prix Special, producing their best test of the event and a personal-best Special score of 70.340%. The performance secured the overall CDI Big Tour Championship, with Matthew Lord and REMI VIGNERON named Reserve Champions.

The event also featured CDI competition for the next generation of international riders, including Children, Pony, Junior, Young Rider and Under 25 divisions, alongside Queensland State Championship classes and national Small, Medium and Big Tour competition.

A Champion of Champions

There was another major prize waiting at the conclusion of the Championships, with eligible Championship winners earning a place in the Prestige Italia Champions’ Draw.

One name was ultimately drawn – Belinda Russo.

Belinda earned her place after being crowned EA Pony Elementary Champion aboard GWARRYEN AURORA, before going on to become the event’s Prestige Italia Champion of Champions.

Her prize was an incredible Prestige Italia saddle and strapping package valued at up to $11,500.

The extraordinary prize was made possible by Prestige Italia, together with the support of Kathryn Sullivan-Butt, principal of event title sponsor The Saddlefitter, who was instrumental in bringing the opportunity to Brisbane CDI.

Remi Stud Scholarship Celebrates its Final Recipient

One of the most significant moments away from the competition arena came on Saturday with the announcement of Alicia Dyke as the recipient of the 2026 Remi Stud Young Rider Scholarship.

After 14 years supporting talented young Australian riders, 2026 marked the final presentation of the much-loved scholarship.

Alicia received ownership of Hanoverian weanling filly Remi Ballereena S (Anna), by Remi Braveheart and out of an imported Fürstenball mare, together with a remarkable support package valued at more than $40,000.

The scholarship recognises far more than competition success, with talent, dedication, horsemanship, resilience and contribution to the wider equestrian community all playing an important part in the selection process.

Alicia has progressed through Pony Club, Interschool and EA competition and has already achieved Queensland Interschool and Young Rider success with her young Hanoverian mare LOUVALE VIVACI STORM. She has also contributed to the sport through volunteering and junior committees and was selected as Queensland’s Dressage Captain for the 2026 Australian Interschool Championships.

The final presentation also provided an opportunity to recognise Cheryl O’Brien, owner of Remi Stud and the founder and driving force behind the scholarship.

Over 14 years, Cheryl has not only bred and gifted a quality Hanoverian youngster to each recipient but brought together an extraordinary network of sponsors and supporters to help give young riders opportunities that may otherwise have been beyond their reach.

Fourteen riders and 14 purpose-bred Remi horses now form the enduring legacy of the Remi Stud Young Rider Scholarship.

Brett Parbery Shares the Training Journey

Education was an important part of the 2026 program, with Australian Olympian Brett Parbery presenting two Masterclasses in the Pryde’s EasiFeed Main Arena.

Across the sessions, Brett explored the development of the dressage horse from the early stages through to Grand Prix, demonstrating how the fundamentals of training continue through every level.

Participating combinations included Matthew Lord and REMI FUTURIST and Katina Smith and BC FALLYN representing the young horse stages; Daisy Fielding and REMI VICTORIA'S SECRET at Elementary/Medium; Young Rider Millicent Fletcher and AMSTERDAM; and Ellyn Parker and ROSALEE at Grand Prix.

The sessions gave spectators an opportunity to see not only the exercises being used with each combination, but the reasoning and training principles behind them.

Celebrating Sportsmanship

Competition success was not the only achievement recognised during the Championships.

Tamika Donald was named the recipient of the 2026 Ray Roe Starfish Award for Good Sportsmanship, an award created in memory of Ray Roe, a valued advocate, supporter and dedicated volunteer for dressage in Queensland.

Throughout the event, Tamika continually volunteered to help wherever she was needed – all while caring for her own horse and competing in her very first CDI-J.

Her willingness to support those around her embodied the meaning behind the Starfish Award: the idea that even when one person cannot help everyone, their actions can still make an important difference to someone.

The award was generously sponsored by The Saddlefitter, with Julie Field Art adding a special touch to the prize.

Off the Track Success

The versatility of former racehorses was also celebrated, with Jo Clarke and MAJOR PALISADE taking home the WestVETS Equine Hospital Best Performed Off the Track Award.

Jo and Major Palisade competed in the EA AOR Elementary Championship, with the award calculated from nominated horses’ best two placings across eligible classes from Preliminary through to Grand Prix, including the Grand Prix Special.

Their achievement highlighted the successful transition Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses can make into new equestrian careers.

Teamwork Takes Centre Stage

Riders also had the opportunity to combine their performances through the EA Teams Competition, with three combinations forming each team across different Championship divisions.

TEAM LORD claimed victory on 200.081 points, represented by Elizabeth Ballard and FINCH FARM DANCE PARTY in Open Advanced, Matthew Lord and REMI BRAVEHEART in Open Medium, and Holly Mcdonald-Smith and REMI VOODOO MAGIC in AOR Elementary.

EQUESTRIAN EMPRESSES finished second on 197.565, while POCKET ROCKETS took third with 188.834.

The competition provided another way for riders from different levels and divisions to come together and enjoy the team spirit of the Championships.

Serious Dressage – and Some Not-So-Serious Competition

Saturday night saw the return of one of Brisbane CDI’s most entertaining traditions – The Saddlefitter Hobby Horse Spectacular.

Before competitors could enter the Pryde’s EasiFeed Main Arena, the hobby horses were subjected to an appropriately serious veterinary inspection by Dr Derek Major and Dr Celia Dodd.

From there, the seriousness rapidly disappeared.

Competitors of all ages embraced the challenge, while FEI judges Jane Ventura, Susie Hoevenaars, Sue Hobson and Linda Warren-Davey swapped international dressage for the demanding world of Hobby Horse competition.

This year there was extra incentive, with the Hobby Horse Champion also earning a place in the Prestige Italia Champions’ Draw.

The evening provided plenty of laughs and added to the atmosphere surrounding a Championship designed to celebrate not only high-performance sport, but the wider dressage community.

An International Judging Panel

Behind every performance was an extensive judging team, with judges working across hundreds of tests throughout the four-day program.

The FEI judging panel featured Connie Murray, Jane Ventura, Jobina Kennedy, Ricky MacMillan and Susie Hoevenaars from Australia; Linda Warren-Davey and Sue Hobson from New Zealand; Peter Holler from Germany; and Vittorio Barba from the Philippines.

They were joined across the national and State Championship program by Ann-Maree Lourey, Anita Barton, Andrew Stevens, Christine Allen, Elizabeth Coe, Felicity St John, Irene Bakels-Noreen, Janifer Willis, Jenny Rykoff, Jill Suban, Kay Paulsen, Kristin Cottam, Maria Schwennesen, Sally Evans, Sandi Gillott, Sheryl Hering, Sue McDermott and Trisha Sellers.

Their professionalism and concentration – together with the contribution of the many scribes working alongside them – made the enormous competition program possible.

Volunteers at the Heart of the Event

Like all major equestrian events, the Brisbane CDI relied on an enormous volunteer effort.

Scribes, gate stewards, rider bag packers and countless other helpers gave their time throughout the four days to keep competition running smoothly.

Duncan Equine Group supported the volunteer team through sponsorship of the 2026 Volunteer Shirts, with every volunteer completing four hours or more receiving a shirt as a small acknowledgement of their contribution.

Their support recognised the people working behind the scenes whose contribution is fundamental to staging an event of this scale.

Capturing Four Days of Competition

Seven photography teams worked across QSEC to capture the competition, presentations, Masterclasses and atmosphere surrounding the Championships: Derek O’Leary, Picture The Moment Equine, MC Jukes Photography, Starborn Equine Photography, Kaitlin Dooney Photography, Jasmine Dunmore Photography and Show Pony Photos.

Across the four days, photographers covered the Pryde’s EasiFeed Main Arena, indoor and outdoor competition arenas, mounted presentations, seminars, Masterclasses and activity throughout the Trade Village and stable areas.

Their work has provided competitors and supporters with a lasting record of a very special four days at QSEC.

More Than a Championship

The 2026 The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI & Dressage Queensland State Championships once again demonstrated the breadth of dressage in Queensland.

From Preliminary combinations beginning their Championship journeys to international Grand Prix riders competing under FEI judges; from young riders receiving opportunities that could shape their futures to former racehorses forging successful second careers; and from Masterclasses and team competitions to Hobby Horses and community awards, the event celebrated many different parts of the sport.

Most importantly, none of it happens without the people behind it.

Dressage Queensland extends its sincere thanks to The Saddlefitter for their continued commitment as event title sponsor, together with the many class, Championship and supporting sponsors whose contribution helped make the 2026 event possible.

Thank you also to the officials, judges, scribes, volunteers, photographers, videographers, sponsors, trade exhibitors, riders, owners, grooms, families and spectators who contributed across the four days.

The Queensland State Equestrian Centre provided the stage, but it was the dressage community that brought the event to life.

Congratulations to every rider and horse who competed at the 2026 The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI & Dressage Queensland State Championships – and to every person behind the scenes who helped make another Brisbane CDI one to remember.