The 2025/26 FEI Jumping World Cup Australian League concluded at Sydney International Equestrian Centre on Saturday, with the Jumping NSW Summer Classic hosting the final CSI1*-W World Cup Qualifier.
In-form rider Tom McDermott was dominant, finishing first and second with Oaks Ventriloquist and Cooley Gangster respectively. Oaks Ventriloquist, Tom’s partner in his 2025 Australian Senior Jumping Championship victory, was the only horse to jump clear in round one of the Gavin Chester–designed track, before producing a second clear over the shortened course. Although ridden conservatively and incurring two time faults (57.06), the pair were decisive winners. It was the pair’s second CSI-W win, following their success at Stonewall World Cup qualifier in October.
Bred by Alice Cameron of Oaks Sporthorses in Australia, rising 13-year-old Oaks Ventriloquist (Vivant x Rex Z) was originally owned and competed by Kate Hinschen before being purchased by Izabella Stone in 2022. Izabella rode him for much of his FEI career to date, taking him to Europe and competing with success. Now owned by Tessa Newton, the horse has returned to Australia and Tom has recently picked up the reins.
Cooley Gangster had two uncharacteristic rails in round one before jumping clear in round two to finish fastest of those on eight faults (51.65).
Hayden Parker and Tulara Spangenberg placed third (8/53.75) in their first World Cup start, also recording two rails in round one and a clear second round. Fourth went to Paige McBain and Charlotta II (8/58.71), who picked up one time fault in round one before adding a rail and three time faults in round two. Rounding out the top five were Billy Raymont and Caprino (12/53.32), who had three rails in round one and jumped clear in the second.
Caprino claims second Golden Grand Award
Once again the most successful horse of the season, Caprino claimed the Golden Grand Award for the second year running. The award honours top showjumper Golden Grand, ridden by David Asimus, who recorded multiple World Cup qualifier wins and secured the 1982/83 Pacific League title. That result saw the pair represent Australia at the 1983 World Cup Final in Vienna, where they placed twelfth. David Asimus sadly passed away in 1994 at the age of 45, and the Golden Grand Award was subsequently created in his honour.
Series win for Phillip Lever
The 2025 FEI Jumping World Cup Australian League comprised nine events, beginning at the NVSJC World Cup Festival in March (Shepparton, VIC), followed by Dressage & Jumping with the Stars in March (WPNEC, Werribee, VIC), Festival of Showjumping in June (QSEC, Caboolture, QLD), Waratah World Cup Show in August (SIEC, Sydney, NSW), Tamworth World Cup Show in August (AELEC, Tamworth, NSW), Jumping@Willinga in September (Willinga Park, Bawley Point, NSW), Boneo World Cup Show in October (Boneo Park, Boneo, VIC), Stonewall World Cup Show in October (Stonewall Equestrian, Mangrove Mountain, NSW), and the Summer Classic in December (SIEC, Sydney, NSW).
Across the series, Victorian Phillip Lever emerged as the most successful rider, topping the Australian League standings on 78 points. All of Phil’s points were earned aboard Deirdre Hartog’s gelding Billionaire NZPH. The pair produced consistently strong performances across the six legs they contested, highlighted by their first World Cup qualifier win at the 4CYTE Willinga Park CSI1*-W in September. They were also runners-up at the Waratah CSI1*-W and received maximum points there, as the winning combination, Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova, were not World Cup nominated for that leg.
By winning the overall Australian League series, Phil and ‘Brown’ are qualified to contest the FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas (8–12 April 2026), should they choose to accept the invitation and travel.
Second overall, just one point behind on 77, was Jamie Winning-Kermond. Jamie enjoyed a standout season with Tulara WAT Colblensky, winning at Caboolture in June and finishing second at Boneo in October, alongside several other consistent performances. Third was last year’s series winner Billy Raymont on 76, following a strong campaign with Caprino. Gemma Creighton (66) and James Mooney (65) rounded out the top five.
Further Summer Classic success for Tom McDermott
In other feature classes at the Jumping NSW Summer Classic, Alexander Jang claimed the Stal Tops Young Rider Series Final with Parallax SCF as the faster of the two double clears, producing a 41.66-second jump-off to narrowly defeat Tanner Robinson and Bloomfield SSNZ (41.93).
The EMCEE Super Junior Final was won by Valentina Hercus and Carousel GV (0/0/37.66), while The Winning Group Futurity Final delivered another victory to Tom McDermott, this time with Chester Thompson (0/0/37.21). Tom also finished second in that class riding Gille Van Hippo Lux V (0/0/37.36).
Capping off a hugely successful weekend, Tom claimed the King Ranch Equestrian Mini Prix Final (Robert Brook Perpetual Trophy) with Delta Blue Go (0/0/38.76).
The Liz Watson Rising Stars Final went to Anneliese Wansey and Glenara Baccarat (0/0/41.62).
Full results from the Jumping NSW Summer Classic can be found here via Equipe.
