Guest rider and judge Chris Burton rides Neil Diamond VBT, who was ultimately crowned the 2025 DJWTS Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions. Image by Click Capture Photography.
After an exciting three days of competition at the 2025 PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars, our four jumping champions gathered in the arena for one final test. As three-time Olympian and World Equestrian Games representative Chris Burton mounted up and fellow judges Chris Chugg and Julia Hargreaves took to the centre of the arena, the crowd watched on as each of the winners were put through their paces to decide the 2025 Jumping Champion of Champions.
Four-Year-Old Jumping Horse Champion Mt Robinson’s Qognito with Chris Burton in the saddle. Image by Simon Scully Photography.
“This is a great opportunity for
the riders to watch their horses
with an expert in the saddle…”
Working through the champions in order of age, Tanner Robinson’s nomination of Mt Robinson’s Qognito was first to go. Bred by Tanner’s mother, Airlie Robinson, out of her much-loved, imported Quidam du Revel-sired mare Mt Robinson Qitana Z, Mt Robinson’s Qognito is by Yalambi’s Incognito. Tanner and Mt Robinson’s Qognito proved that consistency is key in young horse competitions, placing third in round one and round two before claiming first prize on the final day to see them crowned the winner of the Southern Cross Event Hire Four-Year-Old Jumping Horse Championship.
Mt Robinson’s Qognito, or ‘Nito’ as he is known around the stables, was commended by the three judges on his character, jump and rideability. The sweet grey gelding jumped some lovely fences for Chris, with the judges commending him for his easy scope over a fence as a four-year-old.
Next up was David Lever’s nomination of Nicolai, winner of the Five-Year-Old Jumping Horse Championship. Bred by the Dennison Family and owned by David in partnership with Lever Equestrian, Nicolai is by Wirragulla Nicolaus out of Carita Gratia. Imported from Europe, Carita Gratia competed successfully in Australia with Jasmine Dennison in the saddle. By Verdi TN, Carita Gratia has produced a promising star for the future in Nicolai. After spending some time away from the competition scene raising a family, it is great to see David Lever back in the saddle aboard such an exciting young horse. The impressive chestnut gelding jumped some very flash fences all weekend, causing much deliberation from the judges. With his powerful jump and strong technique, he looked to be a serious contender for the overall championship.
David Lever and Nicolai, winner of the Five-Year-Old Jumping Horse Championship. Image by Simon Scully Photography.
Winner of the Bellhaven Horse Stud Six-Year-Old Jumping Horse Championship, Tulara Karash exhibited by Victorian Jack Barker was the next to be ridden. Bred by Mark and Anna Fraser at Tulara Warmbloods in Barjarg Victoria, Tulara Karash is by Karajan out of Tulara For Carpaccio. Tulara For Carpaccio has produced some brilliant offspring including Tulara Dawson, who has some fantastic progeny of his own now on the ground. After a successful few days in the arena including receiving the Tulara Warmbloods Award for the highest individual point score of all Tulara-bred horses in the Young Horse competition, Tulara Karash jumped some impressive fences with Chris Burton in the saddle as he tested his paces and reactions. Chris, alongside the other two judges, commended Jack on the way he has produced Tulara Karash to date and were all in agreeance that this duo has a bright future ahead of them.
Six-Year-Old Jumping Horse Champion Tulara Karash, exhibited by Victorian Jack Barker. Image by Simon Scully Photography.
Finally, it was time for the one spectators had been eagerly awaiting: Neil Diamond VBT. Neil Diamond VBT and Rachel Lee were crowned our Yandoo Equestrian Seven-Year-Old Jumping Horse Champions, finishing on a final percentage of 99.210% after three days of competition.
Guest judge Chris Burton summed it up well when he said of Neil Diamond VBT’s scores over the weekend, “a 10 is not perfect, it is beyond that, it is excellent!”. By I’m Special De Muze, ‘Neil’ as he is known around the stables, was imported from Europe by Rachel after she fell in love with him via a video. After switching from eventing to jumping a few years ago, Rachel decided she needed a nice young horse to produce as a pure showjumper, and she has done just that with Neil.
As Chris took to the saddle, Rachel shared that this was the first time she had watched another person ride Neil since she purchased him as a young horse. Impress us he did, with his fantastic canter and scopey jump.
He was so lovely that Chris even tried to make a dash to the truck with him, riding out of the arena shortly before reluctantly handing the reins back to Rachel.
Not only was this a great opportunity for the riders to watch their horses with an expert in the saddle, spectators were also treated to a masterclass on how to ride differing horses with softness, precision and effectiveness.
Rachel Lee and Neil Diamond VBT, the Seven-Year-Old Jumping Horse Champion and overall 2025 DJWTS Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions. Image by Click Capture Photography.
As the judges deliberated over the four promising horses in front of them, Chris Chugg took a moment to share a few words: “We as a judging panel have been very impressed with the quality of horses and the quality of riding here this weekend. We are sure we will see many of the young horses here this weekend competing in the 1.40s to 1.60s in the years to come.”
Chris Burton, after a big weekend of running the EBM Insurance and Risk Jumping Masterclass in addition to judging the young jumping horses, added, “We are in very good shape for the Brisbane Olympics with the pool of horses and the riding we have seen here this weekend.”
Ultimately with three wins from three starts and an exceptional performance over the entirety of the competition, Neil Diamond VBT and Rachel Lee were crowned our 2025 PSI DJWTS Jumping Champion of Champions, taking home the ultimate honours.
Rachel and Neil Diamond VBT will now have their names added alongside the illustrious list of prior winners on the Sky High Perpetual Trophy. In addition, they have also secured a service to Diablue PS generously donated by IHB and a Mal Byrne Performance Saddlery Halter. EQ
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