Australia Green Seal Series Victory in Senior Trans-Tasman
The stage was set at Willinga Park tonight for the deciding leg of the 2025 Trans-Tasman Senior Test Series, and the Australian Green team delivered when it mattered most. Producing a flawless performance under pressure, they finished on a zero score to claim the win over New Zealand and Australia Gold, and in doing so, secured the overall series.
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Green Team Chef d’Equipe David Sheppard led a squad brimming with experience and confidence. Phillip Lever and Billionaire NZPH set the tone early, delivering two faultless rounds in times of 79.32 and 75.85. Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara WAT Colblensky kept the momentum going, producing another double clear with their second round clocking at 81.67. Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Z were equally consistent, finishing with two polished clears to keep the team total clean. While Billy Raymont chose to retire Caprino in Round 1 before returning with an 8-fault score in Round 2, it didn’t matter – with the three best results to count, Australia Green’s 0 scoreline stood untouchable.
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New Zealand fought hard, with their riders showing plenty of grit. Sophie Scott and Normandy GHP produced a clear in the second round after carrying 4 faults in the first, while Emma Gillies and Lafayet Ego Z matched that effort. Samantha Whale and Fleur DeLacour jumped clear in Round Two after an opening 8 faults, and Logan Massie and Bravado Ego Z mirrored the same pattern. Despite the bounce-back performances, their total of 16 penalties left them trailing behind Australia Green on the night.
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Australia Gold also finished on 16, but the time penalties left them behind New Zealand. Clem Smith and Oaks Calypso were clear in the second round, while Anneliese Wansey and Texas picked up 12 across their two trips. Samuel Overton and Cha Cha Blue GHP scored 4 in each round, and Mattea Davidson with Checkamour D stood out with a brilliant double clear to finish her campaign strongly.
Tonight’s result was a showcase of the strength and depth of the Australian teams. The Green squad’s composure under pressure, coupled with the experience of Lever, Winning-Kermond, and Creighton, ensured they closed the series in commanding fashion.
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The Trans-Tasman Test Series once again highlighted the enduring rivalry and camaraderie between Australia and New Zealand. Both nations fielded riders of exceptional calibre, but at Willinga Park it was the Australians – and in particular the Greens – who rose to the occasion and wrote their names into the history books.
| Team | Rider | Horse | Round 1 | Round 2 | Total Faults |
| Australia Green | Phillip Lever | Billionaire NZPH | 0 (79.32) | 0 (75.85) | 0 |
| Jamie Winning-Kermond | Tulara WAT Colblensky | 0 (78.51) | 0 (81.67) | 0 | |
| Gemma Creighton | Dada Des Brimbelles Z | 0 (75.16) | 0 (76.37) | 0 | |
| Billy Raymont | Caprino | RET | 8 (76.15) | 8 (drop) | |
| Team Total | 0 | ||||
| New Zealand | Sophie Scott | Normandy GHP | 4 (75.53) | 0 (80.01) | 4 |
| Samantha Whale | Fleur DeLacour | 8 (74.44) | 0 (76.11) | 8 | |
| Logan Massie | Bravado Ego Z | 8 (80.72) | 0 (78.50) | 8 | |
| Emma Gillies | Lafayet Ego Z | 4 (78.78) | 0 (79.68) | 4 | |
| Team Total | 16 | ||||
| Australia Gold | Clem Smith | Oaks Calypso | 8 (81.88) | 0 (80.76) | 8 |
| Anneliese Wansey | Texas | 8 (88.14) | 4 (78.20) | 12 | |
| Samuel Overton | Cha Cha Blue GHP | 4 (84.43) | 4 (84.30) | 8 | |
| Mattea Davidson | Checkamour D | 0 (82.08) | 0 (82.85) | 0 | |
| Team Total | 16 |
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