The GDP Classic returned to Boneo Park this past weekend (12-15 February), marking the event’s sixth iteration. Since its inception in 2021, the GDP Classic has become one of the biggest and most prestigious events on the jumping calendar.
Founded by riders, the GDP Classic was born from a simple idea: “to create a great show with great grounds, great course builders and great prize money for the benefit of riders.” The team of volunteers behind the event has certainly delivered on that vision, with the 2026 GDP Classic presented by Divas Beverages marking its biggest year yet with over $240,000 in total prize money up for grabs!
Team competition a spectacular new addition
In a GDP Classic first, Friday’s program saw the installment of the Divas Beverages Teams Spectacular. Eight teams of four took to the main arena to contest the Gavin Chester-built track in the hope of walking away with the $25,000 first prize cheque. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, young superstar Jack Barker sealed the deal for his Divas Beverages team mates Alexander Jang, Rhys Stones and Anneliese Wansey with a cracking clear jump off (0-0/38.57). Team Coolmore Australia and Peachester Lodge claimed second place and $20,000 with Gemma Creighton producing a brilliant clear jump off (0-0/39.40) for teammates Charlie Magnier, Hugh Buchanan and Robert Palm. Team Yandoo Park powered by Winning Appliances claimed third place on the podium with Hannah Doolan, Chase Naylor, Timothy Clarke and Jamie Kermond.
Young stars in action
Saturday saw the beginning of the championship classes with the 4CYTE Rising Stars Final first up. Victorian local Jack Barker claimed the class aboard Tulara Diadello with a double clear round and a time of 29.75, ahead of fellow young rider Joel Lamb and his nomination of Onyx DP who finished in a time of 30.68.
The GDP Classic saw the first leg of the 2026 Stal Tops Young Rider Series. 2025 Stal Tops Series Champion Alexander Jang put in a dominant performance (0-0/42.36) with his nomination of Parallax SCF to take the early lead for 2026. The GDP Classic was certainly a successful show for Jang following his Divas Beverages Teams Spectacular win just the night before. The 2025 Australian Young Rider Champion Charlie Magnier claimed second place aboard Notre Dame de Bourgignon (0-0/43.51) ahead of Olivia Price and Lafayette MVNZ (0-0/48.22).
In a hotly contested jump off, Robert Palm claimed the Double C Farms Future Stars Championship aboard the impressive young stallion Comme Fu (0-0/46.16) ahead of Frida Lindgren and Moviestar 1 (0-0/46.75). King Ranch Equestrian rider Anneliese Wansey rounded out the top three with Glenara Baccarat (0-0/49.50).
Cristallina sparkles in Mini Prix win
Sunday saw another thrilling day of competition, with large crowds gathering in anticipation of the 2026 MC Equine Surfaces GDP Grand Prix.
The day commenced with the Flemings Nurseries Mini Prix. Chris Chugg claimed the class aboard imported mare Cristallina by a very narrow margin (0-0/51.50) ahead of Madeline Sinderberry and her nomination of Camie Z (0-0/51.61). Ever the showman, Chugg celebrated Cristallina’s first ever Mini Prix start and victory by soaring over the latest addition to the GDP Classic arena, the GDP letters. Fellow New South Welshman Rhys Stones claimed third place on the podium with his nomination of Night Shade (0-0/54.54).
Emma and Abby win on debut
As the clock struck twelve and the sun shone down upon the MC Equine Surfaces Arena, crowds flocked to the arena sides for the best views as twenty-seven of the country’s best combinations took to centre stage. With a total prize pool of $65,000 on the class, you had to be in it to win it.
Nine combinations were successful against the challenging Gavin Chester-built course and were invited back to the second round. With a $20,000 cheque for first prize on the line, riders left nothing to chance in the jump off.
Emma Collins and Oaks Abracadabra pulled a rabbit out of the hat in their MC Equine Surfaces GDP Grand Prix debut to claim the class, producing an exceptionally quick double clear round (0-0/46.54) ahead of fellow first-time competitors Jack Barker and Bellhaven Calisco (0-0/47.73). Jess Rice-Ward, who trains alongside Emma Collins at Yandoo Park, claimed third place on the podium with her eventer-turned-grand prix showjumper Tulara Diarangol (0-0/46.54).
Collins and Oaks Abracadabra (or Abby as she is known around the stables at Yandoo Park) have certainly proven they have more than a bit of magic in the competition arena. The pair were victorious in their first ever World Cup Qualifier start at Boneo Park in October, were the runners-up in the Australian Senior Championship on debut in November, and produced a lightning quick round in January of this year to claim the Magic Millions Senior Teams competition for Team James Harron Bloodstock & Aveley Homes.
The action didn’t end there!
Successful weekend for the Hercus sisters
Also fresh off a victory at Magic Millions, King Ranch Equestrian rider Valentina Hercus proved unstoppable again on Sunday, claiming both first and second place in the fittingly sponsored King Ranch Equestrian Junior Championship. Hercus rode Carousel GV to victory (0-0/39.40) narrowly ahead of her second nomination Cera Catalina (0-0/39.70). Victorian Tanner Robinson claimed third place aboard her Charlie (0-0/41/67).
It was a very successful weekend for the Hercus sisters and entire King Ranch Equestrian team, with Valentina’s younger sister Iliana Hercus taking out both first and second place in the Goodspell Park Children’s Championship. Iliana Hercus claimed the class aboard Ego Miss Moët (0-0/34.33) ahead of her second nomination Black N White (0-0/35.56). Third place on the podium went to Amelia Terrill and Redcliffs Guns and Roses (0-0/35.77).
In the JPR Equestrian Amateur Championship, Scott Wessel piloted Vulcan GNZ to victory (0-0/38.86) ahead of David Boulton and Cascade (0-0/39.06). Coming in hot on their heels, Sienna Bellis claimed third with Platinum Ego Z (0-0/39.10).
Also in the Divas Beverages Arena, Reece Keenan rode to victory in the Bared Footwear Foxhunter Final with La Luna Barichello (0-0/34.04). Erina Miyama and Waitangi Imagine claimed second (0-0/34.65) ahead of Jasmine Reynolds and Nateo (0-0/34.86).
The GDP Arena also saw brilliant competition across both Saturday and Sunday’s programs. This year marked the introduction of a secondary Children’s class, the Silky Tots Children’s 95cm Spectacular. Harrison Bell claimed the class aboard Calveston Gossip Girl (0-0/54.73) ahead of Maddison McGlynn and Galaxy Sapphire (0-4/44.21).
