13 July 2025
We set off from Adelaide Airport on Saturday 12th July. Our first stop was Doha Airport. It was a great place to relax between flights. Next stop Gatwick Airport!
15 July 2025
We had a wonderful day walking around Oxford. Enjoyed seeing many places such as Oxford University, the Undercover Market, New College where parts of Harry Potter were filmed, as well as several other places. We had a fabulous lunch with lots of fun and laughter throughout the day.
16 July 2025
Fantastic day at Blenheim Palace with lots of history and modern day stories. Felt like I was Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton for a day.
The stables were fascinating and the gardens were beautiful.
17 July 2025
Today we went on a quick trip to explore the beautiful Blenheim Palace gardens including the butterfly house. Then onto a huge saddlery called Wadswick for lunch and some shopping.
We are awaiting the arrival of the rest of the Australian Virtus Team.
20 July 2025
Yesterday the team and I visited the Broadlands RDA to join in their 70th year celebration. We watched some riding demonstrations, met some of their lovely horses and enjoyed watching a dog show.
We are now nearly ready for the competition now everyone has rested up from their travels from Australia.
21 July 2025
Yesterday the Australian Team was presented with saddlecloths, badges and an EA pin for our jacket. We signed the boxing kangaroo flag for this year’s competition and enjoyed a lovely lunch at a local hotel. Today the horses will be selected.
24 July 2025
Our Australian Team has now been allocated horses for the 2025 World Equestrian Dressage Championships.
I have a lovely horse, Rambo, whom I look forward to riding during the competition. We have now had 3 rides, completed Trot Up and participated in the Opening Ceremony.
Thank you Sparsholt for organising such wonderful horses for us.
The competition begins tomorrow.
10 August 2025
Arrived home safely with many happy memories and so many more great experiences.
So proud to have represented Australia in the 2025 Virtus World Equestrian Dressage Championships and bring home a silver medal.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years; family, friends, coaches, trainers, sponsors and supporters.
A special thank you to Sparsholt College for hosting the 2025 competition at your great venue. To our Australian coach Mary Longden, thank you for your encouragement, training and coaching of our team to do our best both before and during the competition. To our team coaches, supporters and stable managers Kathy Angel, Jessie Downs and Nicole King, thank you for your care, guidance and coaching both before and during the competition.
To our grooms Megan Tucker and Grace Culley for making our team horses look lovely. A special thank you to my sponsors APK Helmets, I really enjoyed wearing my new helmet along with the dressage jacket and shirt to suit. Also thank you to John McEvoy for your very kind and generous donation and sponsorship of our team along with Racing SA for your kind donation too. Thanks to Esther Stibbard who has been training and coaching me at home, along with Noella Angel and for allowing me to ride your horses Jack and Junior to prepare me for the competition and many more beforehand.
To The Riding Patch, MacMillan Racing and Compass Feeds, thank you for your encouragement and support back home.
Also, thank you for the support from the South Australian Equestrian Community and many others from around Australia including Equine Pathways Australia and Sports Inclusion Australia. I thank you so much for your encouragement and support, it means a lot.
To the Australian Virtus Team, thank you for being such great teammates, competitors and friends. It was great to catch up again and get to know you all a little bit more.
Being selected to represent Australia in the team and bring home a silver medal was beyond words. I’m so honoured and proud of all of our achievements and am looking forward to seeing where our journeys lead us.