Dressage is a discipline that welcomes horses and riders of all levels, fostering harmony, trust, and partnership through continuous, patient and progressive training. It showcases the horse’s willingness, suppleness, balance, power, and expression, guided by the rider’s subtle communication and skill. Together, horse and rider create a performance that combines athletic excellence with artistry, making dressage one of the most admired equestrian disciplines.
With just two weeks to go, preparations are now complete at Kyalami Equestrian Park. The arenas are pristine, the judges boxes are immaculate and the organisers are ready to welcome hundreds of horse enthusiasts for the 2026 Toyota South African Dressage Championships, taking place from 8 – 13 September 2026.
This prestigious week-long championship will feature four national titles:
- SA Adult Interprovincial Dressage Team Championships
- SA Adult Individual Dressage Championships
- SA Adult Freestyle Championships
- SA Para-Equestrian Championships
Show Director Angie Meredith says competitors and spectators alike can look forward to world-class competition, with two highly respected international judges set to officiate at the event: Malgorzata Pawlowska (Poland) and Nicole Nockemann (Germany). Both Pawlowska and Nockemann have their Level 3 FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale (the International Equestrian Federation)), and their extensive international experience and commitment to excellence will ensure judging of the highest standard while further elevating the profile of South African dressage.
Adding even more excitement to this year’s championships, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) will once again award one of the 2026 Toyota South African Dressage Champions a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross. This incentive has generated exceptional interest and record entries, setting the stage for an intensely competitive championship where only the finest horse-and-rider combination will drive away with this remarkable prize.
Now celebrating its fifth year in partnership with Toyota, Kyalami Park Club continues to strengthen and grow the sport of dressage in South Africa. The collaboration has helped attract new audiences, encourage greater participation, and further establish the championships as one of the country’s premier equestrian events. With elite competition, internationally acclaimed judges, and the mouthwatering champion’s prize, the 2026 edition promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet.
The show promises a week of outstanding competition, with riders, grooms, instructors, officials, families, friends, and supporters coming together to celebrate the achievements of South Africa’s leading dressage combinations, recognising the dedication, discipline, and pursuit of excellence that define the sport. All are welcome and entry throughout the equestrian extravaganza is free.
