Above: Liam Rutland and Glenara Chartelle M. Photo Credit Simon Scully Photography.

Australia and New Zealand will be back in team colours this week as the Senior and Young Rider Trans-Tasman Test Series reaches its final rounds at Jumping@Willinga.

The 2026 series will deliver international team competitions across two leading Australian shows. The opening Senior and Young Rider tests were held at the Waratah World Cup Show in August, with the contests set this week for Willinga Park at Bawley Point, NSW.

The Senior teams will compete on Thursday, followed by the Young Rider final on Friday. Jumping@Willinga runs from 9 to 13 September, with free entry for spectators.

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The first tests at Waratah produced a win for each side of the Tasman.

In the 1.45m Senior competition, Australia Green claimed victory, with Jessie Rice-Ward and Tulara Diarangol, Madeline Sinderberry and Camie Z, Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror, and Phillip Lever and Billionaire NZPH. Jennifer Wood guided the team as Chef d’Equipe.

It was a strong Australian performance in a demanding two-round teams competition, with New Zealand and Australia Gold ensuring there was pressure throughout the class.

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Two days later, New Zealand answered with an impressive win in The Doolan Family Young Rider Trans-Tasman Test at 1.35m.

Liam Rutland and Glenara Chartelle M, Samantha Gillies and Lumarzo, Sonya Benison and MF Titan, and Johanna Wylaars and Demietta finished on just four penalties under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Jaime Campbell-Ward.

Liam and Samantha produced double clear performances, while Sonya recorded a clear first round before finishing with four penalties in round two. Johanna also delivered a clear in the second round.

New Zealand’s total of four penalties placed the team ahead of Australia Young Rider Green on 28 and Australia Young Rider Gold on 32.

Winning New Zealand Young Rider Team at Waratah Showjumping. Photo Credit: Simon Scully Photography.

There were encouraging Australian performances within those results. Alexander Jang and Parallax SCF jumped clear in both rounds for Australia Green, while Zara Young and Cornet Indiana did the same for Australia Gold. Reese Keenan and PPP Vive Le Mop, Zoe Willis and Koko Dusty FPH, and Zoe Grant and Snowy River Billy Jim each completed the competition with four penalties.

The value of these competitions goes well beyond the final scores.

Jumping is so often centred on individual combinations, but international championships ask riders to perform as part of a team. Every round can affect the result. Riders must manage the pressure of representing their country while supporting their teammates, working with a Chef d’Equipe and making decisions with a shared result in mind.

Those skills need to be developed through competition.

For Senior riders, the series creates an important opportunity to compete in a representative setting without first having to travel to Europe. It allows combinations to experience the expectations, responsibility and added pressure that come with riding for Australia or New Zealand.

For Young Riders, that opportunity comes at an important stage in their development. They are not only competing against strong riders from another country, they are learning how to contribute to a team, respond after a difficult round and support others when the result is still being decided.

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These Tran-Tasman Challenges also strengthen the relationship between the Australian and New Zealand Jumping communities. Riders, owners, coaches, officials and supporters spend time together while still competing fiercely for their country. Young Riders can watch the Senior teams prepare and compete, while established riders can support the next group of Australian and New Zealand representatives.

Waratah Showjumping showed exactly what this series can offer. Australia Green delivered the Senior victory, New Zealand’s Young Riders responded with a commanding result, and both competitions gave riders the chance to represent their country in a genuine teams environment.

Now the attention moves to Willinga Park.

The Senior Trans-Tasman final will be held on Thursday 10 September, before the Young Riders return for their final on Friday 11 September. With one Waratah victory to each nation, there is plenty to look forward to when Australia and New Zealand meet again.

Tamworth World Cup Show will also be once again hosting a Trans-Tasman Challenge event this year in a borrowed horse format.

At Willinga Park the Australian Teams will be as follows:

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN TEAMS

Australian Green Team
Jack Barker – Cornets Prinzess
Phillip Lever – Billionaire NZPH
Sam Williams – Cavalli Park Ciara
Tess Mcinerney – Quintation

Australian Gold Team
Alexander Jang – Parallax SCF
Hudson Craig – Oaks Botswana
Sarah Louise McMillan – Kakadu
Lane Clarke – James Bugatti

Reserve Combination
Tori Stuckey – JB Baloon d’Or

YOUNG RIDER AUSTRALIAN TEAMS

Australian Green Team
Charlie Magnier – I’m Here
Emily Lang McMahon – KS Thomas
Hannah Doolan – Tulara Lady Zirocca
Zara Young – Cornet Indiana

Australian Gold Team
Alexander Jang – Christella
Charlee Dobbin – Gabriel MVNZ
Penelope Lancaster – Bossanova NZPH
Zoe Willis – Koko Dusty FPH

Australian Team 3
Jameson Bush – Ballinagore Maxime
Joel Lamb – Eagle Rock
Olivia Price – Lafayette MVNZ
Tanner Robinson – Digger