The highly anticipated Waratah World Cup Show began today at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, with young horses and riders being the first on course at the four-day event (15-18 August).
The young horse classes – which are decided using a combination of jump faults and judges’ scoring – are always a highlight and provide an interesting insight into potential future equine stars of the sport.
4YO Young Horse
The 4YO Young Horse (90cm Art 238.1.1) style component, sponsored by Greengrove Stud, saw Wilder Casino claim the win for Mack Rudder on a total of 66.45, just ahead of Country Charm and Jordan Smith on 58.75. Both horses jumped clear, with Wilder Casino scoring slightly higher with the judges today. In third place was Team Priestley Heiress, ridden by Sarah Duggan, with a score of 51.75.
In the competition component, Mack Rudder on Wilder Casino and Jordan Smith on Country Charm tied for first place, both delivering clear rounds. Jasmine Ritter on Champenoise Espionage took third place and Sarah Duggan on Team Priestley Heiress fourth.
5YO Young Horse
The 5YO Young Horse (1.05m Art 238.1.1) style component, sponsored by Liz Watson, saw a number of familiar rider names at the top of the leaderboard. Sam Overton rode Oaks Cheetah to victory, jumping clear and receiving high scores from the judges across the board to finish on a total of 84.40. They were followed by Tom McDermott with Gille van Hippo Lux V (82.50), and then James Paterson-Robinson with Yirrkala Quinn (82.25).
In the competition component, Jamie Kermond on Wild Spyder, Nicholas Taliana on Glenara Just Jaffa, James Paterson-Robinson on Yirrkala Quinn, Jack Barker on Tulara Karash, and Katie Taliana on Glenara High Society all delivered faultless rounds to take home an equal first.
6YO Young Horse
The 6YO Young Horse (1.15m – Art 238 2.2) style component, sponsored by Bellhaven Stud, saw SI Van Heiste for Jennifer Wood claim the win on a total of 85, ahead of Phillip Lever and Tulara Collini on 84.75, and Rachael Lee with Neil Diamond VBT on 82.75.
In the competition component, Frida Lindgren on Tulara Caliado took the top spot, completing both rounds clear and finishing the jump-off in 37.73 seconds. Emma Smith on Diamond B Chatterbox secured second place with a time of 38.47 seconds, and James Paterson-Robinson on Team Priestley Katniss followed closely behind with a time of 38.50 seconds.
7YO Young Horse
Al Fonso, ridden by Jess Rice-Ward, was the top scorer in the Diamond B Farm-sponsored 7YO Young Horse (1.25m – Art 238 2.2) style component with a total of 84.25. Lady Mango du Caillou scored 83.75 for Shimona Fraid, while Bellhaven Calisco finished third for young rider Jack Barker on a score of 81.45.
In the competition component, Frida Lindgren rode Wondareen Colleen to a commanding victory, delivering a faultless performance across both rounds and completing the jump-off in an impressive 35.20 seconds. Jack Barker, aboard Bellhaven Calisco, secured second place with a clear jump-off round and a time of 41.76 seconds. Shimona Fraid and Lady Mango Du Caillou rounded out the top three, finishing with a time of 44.28 seconds.
130cm Open
Following the young horse classes was the Open 1.30m (Art 238 2.1), sponsored by Icepack – a company run by none other than show jumper Sam Overton.
Sarah Duggan onboard Oaks Diamantina rode to victory with a clear round and the fastest time of 60.37 seconds. James Paterson-Robinson, riding Yirrkala Edward, claimed second place with a time of 62.46 seconds and zero penalties, whilst Roy Andrew Inglis on Indiana Goodtimes followed in third place, finishing with zero penalties and a time of 62.94 seconds.
Trans-Tasman Teams Challenge for Young Riders – Round 1
The Trans-Tasman Teams Challenge kicked off with fierce competition as young riders from Australia and New Zealand went head-to-head on borrowed horses. Sponsored by The Doolan Family and King Ranch Equestrian, this event is now in its second year at Waratah and continues to play a pivotal role in the development of young equestrian talent.
Australia, having won the toss, opted for the Pool A horses and led the way under the guidance of their team chef Coco Miles. New Zealand, led by Oliver Edgecombe, competed on Pool B horses. Both teams delivered strong performances, with Australia securing an early lead thanks to strong rounds by riders, including a double clear from Jack Barker. With one day down and the final round still to come, the stage is set for an exciting showdown between these talented young riders.
Full results from the Waratah World Cup Show can be found here.
Tune in and watch with Equestrian Life & ClipMyHorse.TV
Today’s competition was broadcast live via ClipMyHorse.TV, with the event streaming free of charge via Equestrian Life. You can watch the action in full-screen mode – including replays – via ClipMyHorse.TV.
The broadcast continues tomorrow at SIEC from 7:30 AM AEST with the GeoPro Open 1.35m (Art 238 2.1), so be sure to tune in and catch all the competition action from Ring 1. On Saturday, Australia’s top combinations are set to contest the CSI1*-W Waratah World Cup, while the young Aussie riders will battle New Zealand in what is sure to be a thrilling final round of the Trans-Tasman Teams Competition.
