Australian Youth Dressage Championships 2023 – Kate Kyros, A Champion’s Perspective.

By Berni Saunders. Photography by Amy Sue Alston, Simon Scully, and Christy Baker.

From the 7-9 July 2023, the Sydney International Equestrian Centre was the place to be for young Dressage riders, their families and support crew who have put in the “hard yards” to qualify for this important event on the National Dressage calendar.

The organising committee headed up by Event Director Bruce McVey are to be commended for providing a competition that prepares the most talented young Australian Dressage riders as they move forward and become Australia’s future representatives in the sport.  Many of the weekend’s participants have high ambitions and are working towards qualifying for Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games/World Championships.

I spoke with the winner FEI Big Tour Championship (FEI Inter II U25, FEI U25 Grand Prix, and FEI U25 Grand Prix Freestyle) Kate Kyros who partnered with her stallion Chemistry. Kate was also awarded the FEI Young Rider Reserve Championship riding her younger stallion Intro K.

Speaking with Kate, I learnt more about her story with horses and how they play a huge role in her life. “I began riding horses when I was 10 years old in South Australia and found herself under the incredible guidance of Chris and Victoria Lawrie. There I spent 8 years competing and travelling around Australia on the show horse circuit before making my move into dressage after I purchased Courtlands Cadman. ‘Caddie’ as he was known at in the stable was my first dressage horse who introduced me to the sport. Once we started competing in 2020, I was hooked. Together we won the CDI Junior Freestyle at Dressage by the Sea, Sydney CDI, Brisbane CDI and Boneo Summer Championships.

"I am now 19 years old and excited to continue my dressage journey with my two Stallions Chemistry and Intro K. Chemistry (Tommy) is 11 years old and carries the respected bloodlines of Connoisseur, Johnson and Rousseau.  Tommy was purchased as a Grand Prix stallion from John Thompson over two years ago when he was in his early days on the GP circuit.  With the halt of competition caused by Covid, there was limited opportunity for him to gain competition experience. We decided to leave him with John to campaign and they won the prestigious CDI 3* at the Sydney CDI in 2022, before representing New Zealand at the Dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

“I took over the ride on Chemistry in December 2022 and am so proud of our results in this short time. Together we have worked our way up from Inter I to Grand Prix with the aim of competing in the U25 Grand Prix at the Australian Youth Dressage Championships. In June I rode my first-ever Grand Prix tests, winning at the first and second competitions of the Hawkesbury Dressage Festival. This was a huge step up for me having only competed in the big tour classes in recent months but made possible by my amazing Tommy”.

Kate Kyros and her second stallion Intro K (Intro) have been dubbed “The Special Ks” and their outstanding performances confirm the bond they have formed in a partnership that commenced in late 2022. At Willinga Park CDI, this dynamic duo were the winners of the CDI-Y Team Test as well as setting a new Australian record for the highest percentage in the FEI Young Rider Individual 72.402% Test. Kate has already exceeded this record with her score of 73.43% at the Youth Dressage Championships at SIEC in July 2023.

Kate said, “Intro is now 10 years old, we purchased him in The Netherlands from Femke De Laat as a young rider competition horse, training towards Grand Prix. He is one of only 6 KWPN licensed approved sons of Apache with the champions Rosseau and Ferro also in his pedigree. The main purpose for our stallions is as competition horses for me, however, we do offer both stallions for breeding and look forward to seeing their progeny in Australia

In light of Kate’s impressive show at the Australian Young Rider Championships, I followed up to ask about the preparation for this event and working towards the future in Dressage, Kate said.

“I live away from my family home in South Australia while attending Bond University on the Gold Coast. I am studying Business and Law for the next three years and rely on the help of my team to care for the horses and prepare for events.” 

“I am a member of the Bond University Elite Athlete Program while living and studying in Queensland. The program gives young athletes flexibility that allows study, competition commitments and training to work harmoniously. While in the sunshine state, I am based at Jemma Heran’s property on the Gold Coast and am fortunate to have the support of her team while Jemma is training and competing with PSI in Germany. It is an interesting coincidence that Jemma also studied at Bond University doing the same degrees as me!  Jemma is one to watch as she progresses with her horse Total Recall. I am so fortunate to have the help of Jemma’s “super-groom” Christy Baker, she spent a year overseas with Jemma and knows what it takes to care for horses at the top level of equestrian sport.”

“A great deal of planning goes into my competition appearances and I must acknowledge my mum Heather for her huge commitment as she frequently travels from South Australia to Queensland to be the truck driver and much-valued competition day helper.  My amazing coach Jenny Gehrke is a huge part of my recent success. She has a wealth of knowledge and competition experience and supports me far beyond our lessons together. After competitions we go over the score sheets, discuss the judges’ marks and comments, review videos and work on strategies to set goals and improve future scores.”

Through Jenny, Kate has learned more about the potential opportunities for Australian young riders. “Jayden Brown had the experience of competing as a young rider internationally with the guidance of Jenny. His story is inspirational and demonstrates that hard work and determination make anything possible”.

“I guess the biggest thank you goes to my two stallions Chemistry and Intro K, I am so fortunate to ride these amazing horses”.

“I would like to thank everyone involved with Young Rider Dressage competitions, the feedback shared by the competitors is that we all appreciate the opportunity to compete under FEI rules and value the experience as we move up to compete in open events.  My goal is to keep improving and hopefully see my scores creep up to meet international standards. 

“I would like to thank Equestrian Australia for giving me the opportunity to share my story and look forward to the upcoming competitions”

Kate acknowledges and thanks photographers Amy Sue Alston, Simon Scully, and Christy Baker for their interest in Young Rider Dressage and these wonderful images.

The 2023 Australian Youth Dressage Championships - the Champions were:

FEI Big Tour Championship (FEI U25 Grand Prix, 16-25 years and FEI Big Tour Freestyle): Kate Kyros and Chemistry

FEI Small Tour Championship (22-25 years): Daisy Fielding and Gartina

FEI Young Rider Championship (16-21 years): Bridgette Dalmau and Bon Jovi MH

FEI Junior Championship (14-18 years): Tia Rose McKenzie and Phenomenon

FEI Childrens Championships (12-14 years): Matia Hopwood and Clare Downs Arian Lledrith

FEI Pony Championship (12-16 years): Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama

Advanced Championship: Jade Wilkinson and Sharellen Gadarene

Medium Championship: Jade Wilkinson and Sharellen Gadarene

Elementary Championship: Brooke Gatt and Celestial

Novice Horse Championship: Sophie Walker and Niclins Park The Baron

Novice Pony Championship: Allesandra King-Andrews and TL Bravo

Preliminary Horse Championship: Paris Kellner and Greenwood Divine Show

Preliminary Pony Championship: Allesandra King-Andrews and TL Bravo

You can find results for each level and test here.

The Freestyle winners were:

FEI Big Tour Freestyle: Kate Kyros and Chemistry

FEI Young Rider Championship: Kate Kyros and Intro K

FEI Junior Freestyle: Angelina Thompson and Enbarr

FEI Pony Freestyle: Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama

Advanced Freestyle: Katie Stewart and Frederico R

Medium Freestyle: Emily Yeoman and Long Park Secret Agent

Elementary Freestyle: Tahlia Coleiro and Nep Perfect Delux

 Full Results thanks to Nominate https://www.nominate.com.au/Scoreboard/results/mob/USEFAndUSDFDressageReportWithJudges.aspx?EventID=9876