While the eyes of the Jumping world have been firmly focused on the FEI World Championships in Aachen over the last couple of days, our attention turned this afternoon to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC) where the fourth leg of the 2026 Australian World Cup Qualifying Series was held as the headline class on the annual Waratah World Cup Show. The competition was held on the main outdoor Olympic arena at SIEC, which has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, bringing it up modern standards.

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Show organiser, Edwina Mitchell, once again attracted an international Course Designer, this time bringing Marina Azevedo to our shores from Brazil. Marina made history at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games by becoming the first female Jumping course designer in the history of the event and her efforts at the Waratah show have been appreciated by all.

The competition began under a clear winter sky in warm conditions which certainly gave a hint that spring was not too far away. A total of 23 combinations tackled the course which challenged many of the competitors with only one incurring zero jumping penalties. The best performed combination in the first round were Tallara Cameron and stallion Cooley Down Under who incurred just three time penalties, with every other combination taking at least a single rail. With three retirements, there were 20 combinations vying for 12 places in the second round and proving how difficult the course seemed to play, two combinations who incurred a total of 13 penalties qualified for the second round.

Sarah McMillan, who currently sits in second place in the championship withdrew from the second round, leaving the other combination also on 13 penalties Jess Rice-Ward and Tulara Diarangol to be first out in round 2. They took a rail and ended the day on 17 faults. Hugh Buchanan and Christamour D were next carrying 10 penalties, however a trio of rails down saw them finish on a total of 22.

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The next three combinations all carried 9 round 1 penalties into the arena with them. Both Chris Chugg and his mare CF Edelweiss as well as Robert Palm and Jaybee Vibrant incurred a rail down to each finish on 13, while James Mooney and KPH Cavatina were the first to record a clear in the second round, leaving them on a total of 9 and slotting them into the lead.

These three were followed by three combinations carrying 8 penalties from the first round. Unfortunately for them Sam Whale and Fleur DeLacour took three rails to contribute to a two-round total of 20. Madeline Sinderberry who won the previous two legs of the Series at Werribee and Caboolture was next aboard Camie Z. They fared better, however a single rail down saw them finish on 12 faults for the day. James Paterson-Robinson and Diamond B Vivienne were next. James showed his class and experience by going clear and in doing so, recording the fastest second round time of the day to take over the lead from James Mooney. The question was, with just three combinations to come, could they stay there.

The first combination to try and take the lead were Rhys Stones and the gelding Ballentyne. They could not match James’ clear round, with a single rail leaving them on a total of 10.

Amber Fuller and the gelding Cadenza NZPH, took to the arena in pursuit of victory. They had a fantastic round, clear in 60.90 seconds which put them on a final total of five faults, slotting them into the lead and with just one combination to come, they were assured of a podium finish.

The final pair out were Tallara Cameron and Cooley Down Under. Tallara was competing in only her second World Cup in the last four years and Cooley Down Under competing in just his second Jumping World Cup. If they were feeling any pressure, is certainly did not show. They moved steadily and carefully around the course in a time which was one of the slowest in the second round, however, more importantly, they were clear! It was a class winning performance and being the only combination to twice leave all the rails in place, was thoroughly deserved.

All in all, it was a great afternoon of jumping with Talara leading the way from Amber Fuller in second and JPR third. James Mooney and KPH Cavatina had to settle in fourth place with Rhys Stones and Ballentyne in fifth.

Our congratulations goes to all involved for contributing to an enjoyable afternoon of Jumping.

The full listing of the top 12 placegetters in the World Cup Qualifier are listed below.

CLASS 28: WARATAH SHOWJUMPING: WORLD CUP QUALIFIER CSI1*-W

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