Maree Tomkinson is a name synonymous with Dressage in Australia. Based in Victoria, Maree is an international rider who started her riding career early in life, becoming a very successful show rider. She has won most prestigious show classes, including the Garryowen Perpetual Trophy on two occasions (1991 and 1996). Over a 20+ year show career, Maree has amassed a huge number of champion rider and champion hack titles at all major shows throughout Australia.
Flash forward to 2019 and Maree Tomkinson and DMJ Donna Elena take out the Sydney CDI3* Grand Prix Special Friday in the first Special and the second victory in only the fourth Big Tour competition for the Australian team rider and the nine-year-old mare.
Donna Elena is the youngest of six Grand Prix horses Maree works, and has “great hopes” for the mare’s future.
“My feeling is that she will be a super horse for the future of the sport,” Maree said. “She really has no weakness, she has super gaits, a wonderful character and outstanding rideability and trainability.
“She is almost nine years old now, so still very young. With more balance and competition experience she will be a force to be reckoned with.
“I believe in Donna like no other horse I have ever trained. She is destined for greatness, a seriously international horse. We are very excited about what the future holds for Donna and looking forward to being part of her amazing journey.”
Maree has represented Australia at three World Young Horse Championships, Nations Cup, Regional Games and the World Equestrian Games. She was named Equestrian Australia’s 2012 Athlete of the Year, and was the Australian Grand Prix Dressage Champion in 2012 and 2013. More recently Maree has represented her country at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, and is also on the National Elite Dressage Squad.
In addition to her achievements as an athlete, Maree is an NCAS Accredited Dressage Coach, Equestrian Australia Accredited Dressage Judge.
