Eventing
Australians Kevin McNab and Bill Levett produced strong dressage tests at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI5*-L on Friday, where Britain’s Bubby Upton leads the field with 18-year-old stallion Cannavaro on a score of 25.6.
The 2025 Les Étoiles de Pau got off to a dramatic start on Thursday in France, with severe weather from Storm Benjamin forcing organisers to reschedule the trot-up and first day of dressage. Despite the disruption, all 53 CCI5*L horses were accepted during the evening horse inspection – including the Australian and New Zealand horses – clearing the way for the competition to get underway on Friday, 24 October.
Australasian eventers are set to close out the 2025 European season in style at Les 5 Étoiles de Pau, France’s premier CCI5*, running from October 23-26. With 69 combinations from 11 nations, a €150,000 prize pool, and only seven CCI5* events on the global calendar, Pau promises to deliver a thrilling finale to the season.
The Adelaide Equestrian Festival has announced the appointment of Australia's two Level 4 FEI Course Designers, Clayton Fredericks and Ewan Kellett, as part of the Festival's elite course design team for 2026.
Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Cartania claimed a historic CCI5*L victory at Maryland 5 Star, while Australians Sophia Hill and Humble Glory finished on their dressage score in sixth place. Fellow Australian Ryan Wood showcased two rising stars in the CCI3*L with top ten finishes.
New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and her Thoroughbred gelding, Artist, remain in pole position after producing a confident and fast round across Pierre Le Goupil’s challenging cross-country course at the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Meanwhile, Australia’s Sophia Hill and Humble Glory delivered the fastest round of the day, catapulting up the leaderboard ahead of Sunday’s decisive show jumping phase.
New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist lead after the dressage phase at Maryland 5 Star, scoring 23.7 ahead of USA’s Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake (28.2) and Switzerland's Felix Vogg with Cartania (28.3). Australia’s Sophia Hill holds 20th with Humble Glory ahead of Saturday's cross country.