THE YOUNG ONES - aiming for dressage success

By Suzy Jarratt

2025 is the first year that CDI Children competitions have been part of the Sydney CDI.  Eight combinations have entered. Three different riders, Grace from Qld, Elouise from Regional NSW and Milla from the Hawkesbury area in Sydney we interviewed for this feature.

Grace Collins, Cooroy Qld. and ‘Premonition’ (imp) (Perigeux x Lordanos x Werther)

At only thirteen Grace Collins is developing into an all-round equestrian doing well in dressage, eventing and showjumping.

She explained that ‘Premonition’ is a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding which in 2010 had been imported as a stallion by the late Madonna Hedberg of Arnage Warmblood Stud in Queensland.

“Emma Flavelle campaigned him to Prix St Georges, then Brett Cantle successfully evented him up to four star and later his daughter Isabelle had him.”

The Cantles gave her the opportunity to ride the chestnut who now lives with her on the Collins’ property in Cooroy.

“He’s a powerhouse,” said Grace. “A very good horse who always tries.”

Together they’ve been shining at dressage youth classes and in state and international inter-school events.

She has weekly lessons from Emma Flavelle, and from Brett Cantle who is her showjumping/cross-country coach. She also attends regular clinics conducted by jumping specialist, David Finch.

Her mother, Sally, who competes at PSG on ‘Emu Gully Lightning Ridge’, helps Grace at home.

“And she’ll be warming me up at the CDI.” They’ll give themselves two days to drive to the event stopping overnight at Taree.

She’ll be wearing her lucky belt before entering the arena. “It’s blue with horses on it,” explained Grace, who is mentally prepared for the test.  “I’m not nervous – I will get into the zone and ride.”

As she gets older she is keen to keep going with horses ‘and my dream is making the 2032 Games’’

The Olympic equestrian events are to be held at Toowoomba only three hours away. Ideal for a girl from Cooroy!

MILLA GREENAWAY and ‘SPB Robert Redford’ – Pitt Town, NSW

This German Riding Pony is by ‘Movie Star’ out of ‘Diva Toscana’ and the seven-year-old’s next public appearance will be starring with 14-year-old Milla at the forthcoming CDI.

The combination recently achieved some exceptional scores at both Willinga and Werribee.  

The chestnut gelding was four-and-a-half when he was initially paired with Milla who lives on a property at Pitt Town. She attends Arndell College, Oakville, known for its active equestrian program in which she regularly participates. 

“’Robert’ was very green at the beginning, I was, too,” stated Milla.  “We’ve done all our training with Krysten Bisby and we’re now working at Medium.”

Based in South Maroota FEI rider Krysten is also a schoolteacher, counsellor and Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) practitioner. She recalled the pony’s early days: ‘he was all over the place; a little backward and didn’t go on the bit’.”  

But eventually ‘Robert’, who loves bananas, got the idea.

“Because of my being a counsellor I concentrate a lot on Milla’s mindset emphasising the importance of her working on her own individual journey not comparing herself to other young riders who’re more affluent. 

“And as she hadn’t ridden the higher levels I put her on one of my educated mares to experience the changes.

“I also feel, as a kid, she has other interests than just horses.”

Which Milla certainly does regularly engaging in netball, touch football and Oztag.

When riding ‘Robert’ she likes to diversify his work taking him out for walks beside the river and occasionally jumping him. “Krysten comes to us several times a week and mum (Nickie) helps on other days. 

“He can be a bit naughty and is always ripping his rugs,” she added. 

“My goal is to take my time with him, move up the levels and see how far we can go. I hope to compete in as many FEI Children’s competitions as I can this year.”

Krysten feels the fourteen-year-old has the potential to go far. “She’s won international inter schools with good percentages, has an admirable work ethic and is a capable rider. Milla has the feel and the talent to succeed in the future.” 

Elouise Grills, Clarence Town – ‘Moonlight Sonata’ 

The first time Elouise sat on ‘Moonlight Sonata’ she never wanted to get off.

“We went to Serena Ireland’s at nearby Medowie to look at some horses. She showed us ‘Sunny’ (by ‘Harmere Tabriz’) and she was the one we took home. The chestnut mare’s an 11-year-old Arabian/Warmblood (Holsteiner) and we’ve been working together since November.”

The combination, based at Clarence Town, bonded straightaway.  They are developing with coaching from FEI rider Serena, and from Elouise’s mother, Teresa Grills (nee Lefevre), a winner in 2010 of the prestigious Dietmar Specht perpetual trophy recognising young dressage talent. She recalls when children first competed at the Sydney CDI.

“Back in 1998 I was riding Medium and it was suggested to event organisers they hold a Children’s Prix St Georges. I was to be part of a team and had five months to get to PSG. Our team went in and won,” she said delightedly.

Now Elouise is doing well competitively even though she’s only had ‘Sunny’ since November.  At Willinga she recently achieved some good scores coming third and fourth with 75% and 69%. 

Serena admires her pupil’s diligence. “She’s been working hard interpreting ‘Sunny’s’ characteristics, there’s so much to be learned from this understanding schoolmaster. Her breeding is an odd mix, yet she’s turned out to be an exciting little dressage horse.”

Elouise varies her training throughout the week.

“I ride on the arena for 30-40 minutes, depending on ‘Sunny’s’ attitude; we walk up and down the driveway looking at the ducks and cows and when dad’s using the grinder or the welder, I get her used to all that. She’s always looking for food and is very attentive when she hears crinkly packets. She even likes two-minute noodles!

“Looking into the future I’d like to work at the Van Olst yard, like Charlotte Fry, and maybe later have stables like Serena.”

“Thirteen-year-old Elouise made a huge commitment and has improved so much in a short time,” said her trainer, who’ll also be riding at the forthcoming event.  “I’ll be taking my GP gelding ‘Royalty R’, ‘Sansar Iredescent’ and Jenny Rapson’s ‘Tjibbe B’.”  

The CDI Children's competitions, sponsored by the Tupper Family will be held on Friday and Saturday of the event.