Cockerell, Diss, Fletcher, Heagney, Dertell Win 2026 Australian Youth Riders Championships

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2026 Australian Youth Riders Championships

Pony rider Morgan Cockerell, children rider Lily Diss, junior rider Millicent Fletcher, young rider Rosie Heagney and Under 25 rider Jessica Dertell became the winners at the 2026 Australian Youth Riders Championships.

Equestrian Victoria conducted the Championships on behalf of Equestrian Australia at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on 22 - 25 January 2026.

Five FEI youth division championships were held as well a an extra "small tour" championship, be it this is not an official FEI youth category. The event further featured a wide range of classes from Preliminary level to Grand Prix including a full suite of Para dressagfe tests and a championships for Interschool and Participation riders at grass roots entry level.

The pony division featured four combinations, but only two contested all three championship rounds as the other two did not score above the minimum threshold of 60% to do the freestyle. The gold medal was won by Morgan Cockerell aboard her &6-year old Australian bred palomino Monteith Brunton (by Woranora Tempest) with 64.762 % in the team test, 62.144% in the individual and 69.642% in the Kur. The runner-up was Olivia Roberts on 14-year old Welsh Cob pony Chapel House Gwilym (by ?? pedigree not declared with FEI).

In the children division for kids between the ages of 12 and 14 either on ponies or horses, Lily Diss and 8-year old Hanoverian mare Butterfly DS (by Belissimo M x His Highness) grabbed the title after winning the preliminary test with 73.625%, placing second in the team test with 66.857% and winning the individual test with 71.700%. The reserve champion's title went to Jude May on 11-year old Dutch warmblood registered Flowervale Bollinger (by Flowervale Boginov x Freestyle).

The junior division was more hotly contested with ten pairs participating. Millicent Fletcher reigned supreme aboard 10-year old, 15.1 hand standing Dutch Welsh bred pony Amsterdam (by ?? pedigree not declared with FEI) scoring three times over seventy percent. She posted 70.505% in the team test, 70.686% in the individual, and 76.067 in the kur. Zali Mills and 13-year old Hanoverian mare Royal Diamond Jubilee (by Royal Classic x De Niro) followed in her wake to become the runner-up.

Only three Young Riders showed up for the official YR category - riders aged 16 to 21. Rosemary Heagney and the British bred 13-year old Oldenburg MSJ Nemo (by Negro x Rubin Royal) led the charge and earned the title after posting 64.657% in the team test, 63.480% in the individual test and 72.425% in the Kur. Jazi French became the reserve champion on Mary Hanna's former international Grand Prix horse Syriana.

Two pairs competed in the Under 25 division and routinier Jessica Dertell aced the division aboard the 10-year old KWPN bred Kilimanjaro (by Bordeaux x Westpoint). She won all three rounds with 70.932% in the Inter II, 71.752% in the short Grand Prix and 72.850% in the Kur. MSJ Nemo was previously imported as a foal by Rozzie and Heath Ryan and shown by Rozzie. Charlotte Richardson and Wendy Sifton's Liberta (by ?? pedigree not declared with FEI) followed in her wake.

Results - 2026 Australian Youth Riders Championships - Werribee

Pony Riders

1. Morgan Cockerell - Monteith Brunton - 64.762 - 62.144 - 69.642
2. Olivia Roberts - Chapel House Gwilym - 61.190 - 63.604 - 66.775
3.Kathryn Bartlett - Yarrumdoc Debutante - 59.524 - 57.523 - /
4. Zali Mills - Royale Elegeance KA - 54.667 - 52.838 - /

Children

1. Lily Diss - Butterfly DS - 73.625 - 66.857 - 71.700
2. Jude May - Flowervale Bollinger - 68.000 - 68.536 - 70.000
3. Liza Smith - Nawarrah Park Dita Von Teese - 66.250 - 65.643 - 70.900
4. Zara Lally - Trussana B - 68.000 - 65.179 - 68.100
5. Clementine Widdup - Mouse Detective - 70.875 - 64.572 - 65.500

Junior Riders

1. Millicent Fletcher - Amsterdam - 70.505 - 70.686 - 76.067
2. Zali Mills - Royal Diamond Jubilee - 67.626 - 69.215 - 74.525
3. Tess Baker - Rubinell - 67.020 - 69.118 - 73.167
4. Rosemary Heagney - Sancho RW - 67.121 - 67.108 - 71.325
5. Abbey Restall - Urodel du Texier - 63.838 - 62.990 - 68.767
6. Layla Kropp - Banglow Gold - 61.717 - 61.275 - 69.400
7. Annabelle Lording - Belle Von Willow - 61.616 - 64.314 - 68.442
8. Bianca Griffiths - Glyndower Brea Galahad - 60.677 - 60.735 - 68.825
9. Morgan Cockerell - Ibn ky gold rush - 58.132 - 62.216 - 67.025
10. Emma Goldsworthy - Bontano - 59.318 - 59.559 - /

Young Riders

1. Rosemary Heagney - MSJ Nemo - 64.657 - 63.480 - 72.425
2. Jazi French - Syriana - 64.608 - 63.637 - 72.208
3. Annabelle Webb - Salient Park Prince - 63.235 - DNF

Under 25

1. Jessica Dertell - Kilimanjaro - 70.932 - 71.752 - 72.850
2. Charlotte Richardson - Liberta - 61.226 - 63.034 - 65.950

Complete results here.