Sarah Dawson and Imposing won the CCI4*L at Wooroloo International Three-Day Event. Image by Wayne Edwards/Waylib Photos.
Run by Perth Horse Trials Association, the 2025 edition of the Wooroloo International Three-Day Event took place east of Perth in Wooroloo from 20–24 August, featuring a full suite of FEI classes.
Apart from heavy rain on the final day during the showjumping, the weather held up well and the cross-country footing was near-perfect.
“The 2025 Wooroloo International Three-Day Event was a resounding success — an exceptional showcase of talent, camaraderie, and world-class equestrian sport right here in Western Australia,” said Event Director Kerrie Robbins. “What made it even more special was seeing two WA riders, both on talented Off the Track Thoroughbreds, achieve MERs at the CCI4*L level.”
Those two combinations were Sarah Dawson with Imposing, and Katherine Joyce with The Diamond Thief, who finished first and second respectively in the Duncan Equine Group CCI4*L.
LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP
Sarah Dawson, 32, and her OTT Thoroughbred Imposing won at their very first CCI4*L start on a total of 52. Clear across the country, they had two rails in the showjumping phase but secured a narrow victory over Katherine Joyce and The Diamond Thief, who scored 52.3. Katherine had just one rail but ultimately accrued more cross-country time penalties.
Sarah and her 17-year-old gelding Imposing (by Saxon, out of Kings Pleasure, by Kings Theatre) have been competing at FEI level for more than a decade, with many placings and strong results along the way. Wooroloo was not only the pair’s first CCI4*L – it was also their first ever FEI win.
“He’s been a wonderful horse,” says Sarah. “I got him as a just-gone four-year-old off the track; I’ve had him 13 years now.”
Sarah has had off-the-track Thoroughbred Imposing for 13 years, with Wooroloo marking their first-ever CCI4*L. Image by Wayne Edwards/Waylib Photos.
Imposing was “hopelessly slow” as a racehorse and ran last in both of his trials. A friend of Sarah’s had acquired him off the track as a three-year-old and turned him out for nearly a year – and it was there Sarah spotted him.
“I made a joke that I’d swap this eight-year-old Warmblood mare that I’d been competing at EvA95 – but was having a little trouble with – for this four-year-old Thoroughbred gelding straight off the track who’d done nothing,” she laughs. Her friend accepted the offer.
Imposing quickly took to eventing. “He went one-star at the end of his first season, then did his first three-star as a six-year-old and competed at that level for a couple of years. We went over east with Sonja Johnson in 2016 and did Sydney and Melbourne, and went really well.”
However, on returning home, disaster struck. “He had a really bad injury at home, and we thought he wasn’t going to make it,” recalls Sarah. Fortunately, after a year in the paddock, Imposing made a full recovery and returned to work.
“He’s a very sensitive soul, but very physically tough,” explains Sarah. “He seems to be ageing like fine wine and getting better with age. He’s very tall but light-framed, so I think not having a lot of weight on his joints and legs has helped. He’s very nimble and athletic.”
Sarah also credits her vets Ross Wallace from Murray Equine Vets and Ben Teague from Teague Veterinary services, as well as careful management. “I have a training regime of keeping him fit without overdoing it. I don’t jump very often, maybe once a week. After an event or a break, I might not jump for two weeks. I try to maintain his legs and not do too much.”
As for why Imposing has been so successful in his life after racing, Sarah believes it’s simple: “I think he just genuinely loves jumping. He doesn’t love dressage so much — that’s probably our downfall — but he loves cross-country and is normally a very good showjumper. I wouldn’t say he’s the bravest horse… he’s quite spooky, but that makes him a great cross-country horse because he looks where he’s going and sets himself up. He’d shy at a 65-centimetre log, but then jump a four-star fence no worries.”
Winning her first CCI4*L was a career highlight. “It was amazing. It was so nice to do it with a friend, Kate, who placed second. Both of us went in wanting an MER [to qualify for CCI5* level] but mostly just wanting happy, sound horses at the end of the weekend. We both achieved that, so we’re over the moon.”
Sarah thanks class sponsor Duncan Equine, her vets, and her fiancé Aaron Honey. “I’m a stay-at-home mum now, so he’s the one funding everything for me to be able to ride!”
The win also sees Sarah and Imposing return to an eventing squad after time out due to injury and pregnancy. She hopes to take him to Sydney International Three-Day Event later this year. “If he gets another MER there, then the goal is Adelaide five-star next year.”
EMILY GRAY SALUTES WITH FOUR-STAR DEBUTANT
The Yalambi Farm Stud CCI4*S saw 31-year-old Emily Gray and Legal Chase win on 57.7, ahead of Riley Lyall and GI War Machine on 62.3. Both were clear across country, with one rail each in showjumping.
Emily Gray and Legal Chase won the CCI4*S. Image by Wayne Edwards/Waylib Photos.
Rising 11-year-old mare Legal Chase, by Yalambi’s Cassini Rosso and out of a Thoroughbred mare, was making her first four-star start after success at three-star level, including second in the Adelaide CCI3*L earlier this year.
Purchased by Emily in 2021 from her breeder Jessica Manson, the mare hadn’t run cross-country since Adelaide in April. “Our last run was Adelaide, which wasn’t ideal for leading into a first four-star,” said Emily. “But I gave her a break when we got home, and there weren’t any local events to run her at.”
Instead, they focused on dressage and showjumping — and the mare rose to the challenge. “It was a big four-star track, a proper track. Being short format it was high intensity with lots of questions. She handled the step up with ease.”
Next, Emily plans a three-and-a-half-star start, followed by two more four-stars and Eventing in the Park in Perth. “Next year, we’ll hopefully do a full four-star season and, all going to plan, aim for Adelaide five-star in 2027.”
Legal Chase was impressive in her first-ever CCI4* start and Emily is excited for the future with this mare. Image by Wayne Edwards/Waylib Photos.
Emily, who has previously completed Adelaide five-star three times with Jocular Vision, is now back on a state squad with Legal Chase. “The squads have developed a lot. There’s so much opportunity and support — you really want to be on one.”
TWO- AND THREE-STAR WINNERS
The Brajkovich Demolition & Salvage CCI3*L went to another OTT Thoroughbred, The Aristocrat, ridden by Matilda Hathway, finishing on 35.3 after just 2 cross-country time penalties. Kathryn Ingham was second on 48.8 with Asti Hera, and Tessa Sharman third on Cuba RL (55.3).
The Yawandarni Jan-ga CCI3*S was won by Amber Patupis-Retsas and Carlyle Park Bravo on 37.1. Yawandarni Jan-ga, an equine-assisted learning program in the Kimberley, is set to feature in an upcoming Australian-produced film (currently in post-production). You can read more about this film, its inspiration, and its filmmakers, in the December 2024 issue of Equestrian Life.
Jaime Hall and OTT Thoroughbred Conrad’s Mission won the Cosotti Family CCI2L on 35.7, while Ella McCrum and Hez All That Jazz claimed the Clear Distinction Memorial CCI2*S on 40.2.
Off-the-track Thoroughbred The Aristocrat, ridden by Matilda Hathway, won the CCI3*L. Image by Wayne Edwards/Waylib Photos.
EVA CLASS WINNERS:
Ascot Equine Veterinarians CCN1*-L: Tegan Cook and Struan Park Just an Illusion (30.7)
Brigid Woss CCN1*-L Junior: Serena Smith and Patanga Lodge Mercury (29.5)
Velocity Accounting Group EvA95: Hollie Fiore and Kinnordy Gatow (31.7)
Off the Track WA EvA95 OTT: Lana Scully and Happy As (37.4)
WA Farm Shop EvA95 Junior: Charlee Morton-Sharp and SV Pride Of Merisi (29.2)
Kamco Arenas EvA80: Jemma Moon and Bellarieux Calimero (28.6)
Off the Track WA EvA80 OTT: Riley Lyall and Charlie (27.2)
Horseland Midland EvA80 Junior: Emma Bennett and Limehill Kochiece (32.5)
Afgri Equipment Australia EvA65: Jade Moody and Ebondale Soprano (30)
Off the Track WA EvA65 OTT: Dani Carey and Billy Whiz (39.3)
Equine Therapy Products EvA65 Junior: Sienna Chester and Pink Diamond (33.8)
EA class results can be found here.
You can read more about Western Australia’s eventing squad program in the August 2025 issue of Equestrian Life here. EQ
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