Sam Williams and Bellatrix VP proved untouchable Sunday morning in the Holsteiner Verband Australian Future Stars Championship, taking the win with an exceptionally quick time of 41.67 seconds. Bred by Melissa Froesch at Glenara Stud, Bellatrix VP (out of Glenara KG Cinderella by Big Star) was purchased in-utero by Sam’s father in-law David as a 40th wedding anniversary gift for his wife Brigid Willis. The talented chestnut mare dominated this week’s competition and certainly has an exciting future ahead.
Victorian Frida Lindgren and the enthusiastic brown mare Threemc Lumeah (by Diamont De Semilly) claimed second place ahead of five-time Australian Senior Champion and multi-time Australian representative Chris Chugg and Cristallina (by Cristallo I out of Monalisa).
Magnier cool under pressure
Coming into Sunday’s final of the Winnings Australian Junior Championship, there was one rider everyone was looking to catch – New South Welshman Charlie Magnier and his two nominations of Quinn Z and Ogano.
After acquiring his first Australian title in Saturday’s 4CYTE Australian Young Rider Championship, Magnier had his sights firmly set on backing it up after his first taste of glory.
As thirty-five of Australia’s best junior competitors fronted up to the David Sheppard-built track, the pressure was firmly placed onto young Magnier’s shoulders. Cool under pressure, he produced two clear rounds in the first round of competition to extend his lead on the field.
As the jump off commenced, riders put the pressure on those to come. Former Australian Junior Champions Jack Barker and Tulara For Quinar produced a very quick clear round. With the pressure mounting, Charlie Magnier had to produce a clear round to be named the 2025 Winnings Australian Junior Champion. He did just that, on not one but two horses, to be named not only the Australian Junior Champion with Ogano but also Reserve Australian Junior Champion with his second ride Quinn Z.
With newly crowned 2025 Pet Circle Australian Senior Champion and coach Tom McDermott cheering from the sidelines, it was certainly a day to remember for Magnier, McDermott and connections.
A Prinzess crowned
The 2025 Pet Circle Australian Jumping Championships finished on a high with a thrilling jump off in the Turiya Farms Australian Mini Prix Championship.
Twenty-seven combinations took on the testing track with only seven riders jumping clear to earn a ticket to the second round of competition. With a fiercely competitive field including former Australian Champions, Australian representatives and Olympians alike, the enthralled crowd watched on.
Amelia Douglass and Yalambi’s Key Largo jumped a cracking round to jump to an early lead with a time of 46.27 before the freshly 18-year-old Victorian local Jack Barker and Cornets Prinzess rounded her up in a time of 40.20 seconds. Last to go, Jamie Kermond and Yalambi’s Lord Byron jumped clear, but with a time of 40.84 had to settle for second place, crowing Barker and Cornets Prinzess the 2025 Turiya Farms Australian Mini Prix Champions.
Re-watch the action with ClipMyHorse.TV
Catch up on the main arena action (Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November) via ClipMyHorse.TV, all with expert commentary from Martin Gostelow.
Re-watch on-demand with ClipMyHorse.TV.
Full results from the PetCircle Australian Jumping Championships can be found via Equipe.
Source: Boneo Park press release by Click Capture, edited by Equestrian Life.
