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Australian Team Announcement for 2025 Virtus World Equestrian Dressage Championships

Sport Inclusion Australia and Equestrian Australia are pleased to announce the selection of riders to represent Australia at the 2025 Virtus World Equestrian Dressage Championships in Sparsholt, England in July.

Andrew Driffield (NSW), Sarah Sherwood (Qld), Catherine Viney (SA), Luke Purtill (WA), Chloe Karsten (NSW), Sui Watts (NSW), Bel Dabic (WA) and Phoebe Roche (VIC) have all been selected following outstanding results at recent Virtus online video competitions as well as local events.

“We are delighted to see such a large team of quality riders selected to represent Australia, the growth in number and quality of riders has been incredible.” said Robyn Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Inclusion Australia.

All eight riders attended the 2024 Virtus European Championships at the same location where Australia finished 2^nd in the teams competition behind Great Britain and ahead of Germany. Individually, Watts (II-2) returned with a Gold and silver medal, Dabic (II-3) 2 Silver medals, Sherwood (II-1) a Silver and a Bronze and Roche (II-3) with 2 Bronze medals.

The latest Virtus video competition also saw Australians amongst the medals. Driffield and Sherwood both collecting a Silver and Bronze in the II-1 category with Karsten winning two Gold and Watts a Silver and Bronze in the II-2 category, and Lara Stanton (SA) Gold and two Bronze and Dabic a silver in the II-3 category. Australia also took Gold in the teams event with Driffield, Sherwood and Karsten ahead of Great Britain and Spain.

Since winning Gold at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France Australian Equestrian Dressage has grown at a great pace with more and more opportunities and riders participating

The Australian team will return to England with great confidence give their record, and even though they will be riding on borrowed horses they will be looking for more success.

Australian Team – 2025 Virtus World Equestrian Dressage Championships, England July

Athletes

II-1: Andrew Driffield (NSW), Sarah Sherwood (Qld), Catherine Viney (SA), Luke Purtill (WA),
II-2: Chloe Karsten (NSW), Sui Watts (NSW),
II-3: Bel Dabic (WA) and Phoebe Roche (VIC)