Hudson Craig competing with Oaks Botswana. Image by Equisoul Photography.
For young Australian show jumper Hudson Craig, the sport has always been woven into the family fabric – from his grandmother’s farm in Healesville to his first pony, Toby, and now the bright lights of the World Cup circuit. Yet the journey from Interschools to elite competition hasn’t been without its lessons, setbacks, and moments of quiet persistence.
“I first got into horses through my mum and her side of the family,” Hudson begins. “My grandma has a farm up in Healesville [Victoria] where my mum grew up and rode when she was younger. My sister also lived there for a while to ride – she got a two-year-old brumby from the highlands, which she took up to star-level eventing. That was actually the first horse I ever sat on, when I was about three or four, being led around the paddock.”
When Hudson’s sister left for university, his mum took over the ride on that same brumby, Nerreman Tatiana, known as Tati. It wasn’t long before young Hudson had a pony of his own – a miniature named Toby, purchased to keep Tati company. “My grandma insisted that if we were going to get another pony, it should be one I could ride. So that’s how Toby came along. For then on, horses became a bigger part of my life, and that’s really what led to where I am now.”
Hudson competing with brumby Nerreman Tatiana, aka Tati. Image supplied.
“Each weekend I’d
either be show jumping
or eventing…”
FINDING HIS PASSION
At first, Hudson was just tagging along to adult rider events with his mum, competing in Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) horse trials. But everything changed when a family friend suggested he try an Interschool show jumping competition. “After that, I started to do a lot more competitions,” he says. “Eventually, I took over the ride on Tati and focused on eventing for a few years.”
It wasn’t until Adeline Des Heyettes, affectionately known as Adi, came along that Hudson truly found his love for jumping. “Each weekend I’d either be show jumping or eventing,” he recalls. “But when Tati did her check ligament [also known as accessory ligaments, check ligaments are essential soft tissue structures that help stabilise the tendons in a horse’s legs], I just did show jumping for six months with Adi. When Tati came back, we evented for another year before retiring her in 2021 – and that’s when I fully transitioned to show jumping.”
Both horses are now enjoying time in retirement.
A SPOOKY START WITH ‘BOTS’
Hudson first saw Oaks Botswana, known as Bots, three and a half years ago when Jess Brown and Rod McQueen brought the horse down to Victoria for a few shows. “I watched Rod take him around the Futurity at the state titles and had a little sit on him. The next weekend at Boneo, I got to have a proper ride – and we took him home after that.”
The honeymoon period didn’t last long. “They warned me he could be spooky, and that turned out to be very true,” Hudson laughs. “At our first competition [at Boneo Park], he was looking at everything – the balcony, the restaurant – he didn’t want to go anywhere near it. The first year was a struggle to even get around a course, and it nearly felt impossible to go clear. I think we managed only a couple of clear rounds that year.”
Hudson and Adeline Des Heyettes, aka Adi. Image supplied.
It was a test of patience and self-belief. “Because Bots was my only horse, all the pressure was on those few rounds each weekend,” Hudson admits. “When things didn’t go well, I’d get pretty down on myself. Toward the end of that first year, I even questioned whether I’d made the right decision buying him.”
But he kept showing up. “I just stuck at it – each day trying to improve, even a little. The next year, we started to see progress. His spookiness in the ring started to fade, and we got around more consistently. By the third year, we were stepping up to 1.40m and 1.45m classes, though still not always consistent.”
A LEAP FORWARD
By mid-2024, Hudson felt they’d plateaued – and that’s when an opportunity arose to train with Sarah McMillan. “Mum told me about the opportunity. But it wasn’t until after we got home from Queensland and giving it few days of thought, I made decision that I wanted to go up there,” explains Hudson.
The combination stayed there for the next five months. “It wasn’t easy,” says Hudson. The pair had to take a few steps back before moving forward. “Sarah changed the ways in which I approach riding, how I prepare my horses, warm them up and jump. Additionally, the advice I received from her father, John, was greatly beneficial! We learnt so much in that short time. That experience really turned things around – and it’s what’s led to everything we’ve achieved this year.”
And it has been quite a year. Hudson was on the Australian team for the first leg of the 2025 Trans-Tasman Young Rider Test Series at Waratah World Cup Show in Sydney and, more recently, made his World Cup Qualifier debut at the 2025 Boneo World Cup in October.
“We learnt so much
in that short time…”
Hudson and Oaks Botswana, aka Bots, making their World Cup debut at Boneo Park. Image by One Eyed Photography.
STEPPING ONTO THE BIG STAGE
The first leg of the Trans-Tasman Test Series at Waratah was Hudson’s first Australian team experience, and a memorable one. “It was great to be part of a team event like that, especially with a Nations Cup-style format,” he says. “Including young riders in that kind of competition was a great idea – it gives the next generation a real opportunity to ride on that stage.”
Competing in the SIEC indoor for Waratah was another learning curve for Bots. “The atmosphere was new and pretty intense,” Hudson admits. “Small indoors don’t really suit him, but it was still a great experience and gave us things to work on.”
Just weeks after the Trans-Tasman at Waratah came another milestone: Hudson’s first World Cup Qualifier. “I was a little anxious,” he says with a grin. “When I got close to one of the jumps, I realised how big they were – but I just tried to treat it like any other round. It didn’t go perfectly, but it was a massive learning experience. I came away with a lot to work on.”
Hudson and Bots competing at Waratah World Cup, SIEC. Image supplied.
BALANCING STUDY, SPORT AND SANITY
Outside of the ring, Hudson is studying Law and Psychology at university. Balancing elite sport and academics isn’t easy – especially with constant travel. “I’ve had to defer some exams because of competitions like the Festival of Showjumping [Caboolture, July] and Australian Jumping Championships [Boneo Park, November],” he explains. “My dad’s pretty firm on making sure I keep up my grades, though, so I always make sure my assignments and exams are done properly – even if the law exams are tough!”
A typical week for Hudson includes daily rides, except for rest days after shows or when he’s at university. “I have a lesson each week with my current coach, Paul Brent, and I’ll also jump at home on the weekends I’m not competing. Outside of riding, I go to the gym a few times a week and play basketball or footy when I can.”
When it comes to managing pressure, Hudson keeps things simple. “I don’t tend to feel many nerves,” he says. “Before a big class, I’ll put an AirPod in, listen to some music, and always have some chewy – it helps me stay calm. Then I just go out and treat it like any other round.”
MOMENTS TO REMEMBER
Among the many highlights of 2025, a few stand out. “Some of the rounds we’ve been able to put together this year at the higher heights – especially the Mini Prix at Willinga Park [Jumping@Willinga, September] and the Riders Cup at Festival of Jumping in Caboolture – are definitely up there,” Hudson says.
But perhaps the most meaningful achievement has been simply getting to this point – seeing all the hard work pay off after years of persistence. “It’s been a long journey, but the progress we’ve made, especially with Bots, makes it all worthwhile.”
LOOKING AHEAD
After ticking off his first World Cup start, Hudson is already thinking about the future. “Doing a full World Cup season is definitely one of my goals,” he says. “Whether that’s with Bots or another horse down the track, I’d love to stay competing at that level.”
Hudson and Bots in the World Cup a Boneo; a full World Cup season is the next goal. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
He also has his sights set further afield. “In 2021 I got to go to the USA for three months to train with [Australian Olympian] Matt Williams at Desert International Horse Park in California and I’d like to go overseas again, this time to Europe, to get more experience. I’m not sure when it’ll fit in with university, but it’s something I really want to do once I’ve finished my degree.”
As for advice that’s stuck with him, one particular saying rings true: “In this sport, ‘all that matters is how well you do with what you’ve got’. I only have one horse, so I don’t get as many miles or as much experience as others. But when I look at what we’ve achieved, given the circumstances – there’s a lot to be proud of and each competition to is year I just feel more determined to keep training and improve.
From a pony named Toby to the World Cup stage, Hudson Craig is proving that consistency, patience, and heart can take you a very long way. EQ
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