A total of 313 combinations descended upon the beautiful facility in Yarra Junction, Victoria, contesting three days of competition at the fourth instalment of the annual horse trials.
This year marks the second instance of the horse trials running as an international FEI eventing competition, with CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S classes offered. Equestrian Centre Director Kylie Broxam was thrilled with the entry list. The FEI classes attracted numerous entries, with both Victorian and interstate competitors making the journey to the stunning Yarra Valley property, established as an equestrian centre in 1987 by Kylie’s family.
One of those interstate competitors keen to make the journey to Shirley Heights was South Australian Megan Jones, who made the kilometres travelled worthwhile, taking out the win in the premier Elite Equine Veterinarians-sponsored CCI3*-S class aboard her Grandview Halo, who she describes as “almost a pony”.
“She’s 16hh at an absolute fright,” says Megan. “But she’s talented, elegant and starting to be noticed.” All attributes that helped secure their top spot over the weekend in a competitive and sizeable field of 27 combinations.
Grandview Halo has perhaps lived her life almost in reverse, having already had two foals before being broken in late at the age of six, after which Megan discovered her on Facebook. Bred by Janeth Flowers of Grandview Sport Horses, she’s a black silver colour, a result of her interesting bloodlines that include a Tulara mare.
“The first time I rode her was a 12/10!” laughs Megan, adding that from that moment she knew the mare would be special. Despite her “snail eyes always looking in every direction and being a bit spooky at everything”, she’s now using her spook skills for good, assessing every question presented and responding to Megan’s challenges with a “Duh, that was easy” every time she’s taught something new.
The dressage phase at Shirley Heights was “okay”, according to Megan. “I know she could do better and she’s getting stronger every time. The talent and elegance are there; she’s going to be spectacular.”
With her compact length and height, Megan has to ride her like a pony, and in the jumping phases this approach certainly paid off. With a show jumping round clear of jumping faults and only 0.8 time penalties added, it was one of their best rounds yet.
The Jarryd Stanley-designed CCI3*-S cross country course was particularly influential in the time department, with only two rounds clear of both jumping and time penalties posted (by Molly Barry and Jessica Cowan). Despite adding 7.6 to her own total, Megan maintained her lead after the show jumping phase to claim the win.
“I’ve got to be brave, but she is just amazing… still looking at everything but really sizing it up, she digs deep and makes me smile,” reflects Megan, who has big plans and hopes for the little mare who reminds her so much in style, build and performance of her incredibly successful partner Kirby Park Irish Jester. She even wears his bridles!
“I’m so lucky to have another horse like him.”
Megan says it would be amazing if Grandview Halo goes as far as she dreams she will, but for now she simply loves riding her.
Emily Anker and Highfields Croatia took second place, just two penalties behind Megan, while Molly Barry and her Impulsive Ways absolutely soared through the cross country and up the leaderboard from 16th place after dressage. Just one show jumping rail added to their score confirmed a podium place, also winning the Racing Victoria Off The Track Best Performed Thoroughbred award in the CCI3*-S.
“I’m really excited with how consistent Zac has felt in the jumping phases and am even more encouraged by how much room for improvement there still is in his scores,” reflects Molly. “He’s an incredible horse and I love working towards even better performances with him in the future!
“The venue at Shirley Heights is lovely and I must give the biggest thanks to Kylie and the committee involved in the event for such a wonderful show!”
Baylee Eve and homebred Beltana Finley win the CCI2*-S
Elite Equine Veterinarians extended their support to the other FEI class, also sponsoring the CCI2*-S.
Baylee Eve and her homebred Beltana Finley took top honours in the class, a result they discovered at the finish line of cross country after a refresh of the live scores by her mum. Third after the dressage, they incurred only 0.4 time penalties in the show jumping to add to their final score of 32.2, ever so narrowly nudging out Chloe Daun and PEC Princess Sophia (32.6), the sole combination to finish on their dressage score in the class.
“I feel extremely lucky to have won at such a prestigious event,” says Baylee Eve. “Shirley Heights is a spectacular venue, with incredible facilities and a top of the class cross country course. We are extremely grateful to the committee for running a great event, and the sponsors for their generosity in prizes. We look forward to coming back every year.”
Third place was claimed by Natasha Moody and her Mila de CaDi (33.6).
“I’m so pleased with Milla de CaDi,” enthuses Natasha. “It was a lovely two-star cross country course with the perfect amount of challenge for my young mare. The ground was great and I’m excited to develop my mare after a great start in a new level for her.”
A CCN1* win for Madison Jackson and Ardington Kylo Imperium
A total of 33 combinations challenged the CCN1*, with Madison Jackson and Ardington Kylo Imperium leading from the dressage and unable to be caught, adding only 0.8 cross country time penalties to their score for a total of 29.1.
Madison and Kylo are new to the level, having only stepped up to the height (105cm) at the Werribee Pony Club Horse Trials the previous weekend, where they also took the win.
“I’m obviously very proud of him, he just stepped up to this height at Werribee last weekend in the Open Grade 1, so Shirley Heights was his first CCN1*!” says Madison.
Madison has had Kylo since he was a yearling. “Him moving up the levels now as a seven-year-old is quite rewarding. He’s very easy about all the phases; I’m much more of a scaredy-cat than he is!” says Madison, who braved up ahead of the jumping phases despite her nerves. “I really just have to let him do his thing these days!”
The CCN1* was the last level to complete its cross country phase around the Jarryd Stanley-designed course.
Despite being the last to go, and the downpour of rain the day before, the grounds held up incredibly well due to the meticulous preparation of the Shirley Heights ground crew: Denise and Fred Broxam and Robert Gall, who put an enormous amount of work into preparing and maintaining the cross country. The course was dressed by Beth McCann, Denise, Fred and Kylie Broxam, and a special thanks must also go to sponsor Faulkner Nurseries, who supplied all of the beautiful plants used around the course.
The beautiful venue is a local one for Madison, and she’s loved watching it evolve over the last couple of years. “It’s so great for the community and is really commendable for the team managing it,” she says.
Madison is now focusing on consolidating at the CCN1* level for the moment but has plans for the future. “Getting to Melbourne International in the CCI2*-S is a definite goal!”
With another horse trials complete, Shirley Heights and its team now turn their attention to a packed events calendar for the remainder of 2026 and planning for 2027, which definitely includes another CCI horse trials.
Stay tuned for that date and a long list of reasons why Shirley Heights should be on your competition and training plans in 2027.
Results from Shirley Heights International Horse Trials can be found here.
