The Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular (8-10 May) is underway, with Friday heralding a cool start to competition at Boneo Park after lots of wet weather the day prior. Run by Carlton Performance Horses, the event is hosting the penultimate 2026 FEI World Championship qualifier for para dressage riders on Australian soil.
Many competitors in the CPEDI3* classes were striving for World Championship qualifying scores today, which – as per Equestrian Australia’s selection policy – are scores of 67%+ in the Grand Prix A or B test.
Dianne Barnes and Tjibbe B dance to a CPEDI3* Grade IV win
In the CPEDI3* Grade IV Grand Prix A, three riders achieved World Championship qualifying scores of over 67%.
Paralympian Dianne Barnes took first place with the 12-year-old Friesian stallion Tjibbe B (Norbert 444) on a total score of 71.065%, while Helen Batson finished second aboard MSJ Tia Fortuna (Furst Heinrich) with 68.796%, and Kirsty Van Loon placed third with Nero R (MSJ Nemo) on 67.130%.
Di and Tjibbe debuted at Willinga Park CPEDI earlier this year, and so this combination is still very new. At Willinga, they did post a qualifying score of 68.469%; this mark at Boneo not only marks a significant improvement and PB, but also a second qualifying score.
This result also means the combination has gained scores of over 67% at two CPEDI3* events in the Grand Prix A or B tests and have competed in no less than two CPEDI3* events between 1 January 2026 and 15 June 2026 – thus fulfilling the Competition Criteria section of Equestrian Australia’s FEI World Championship selection policy.
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna –a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare by Furst Heinrich out of a Rubenstein/Donnerhall mare – already have scores over 67% at two different CPEDI3* events to date. Having competed at Willinga Park CPEDI earlier this year and now at Boneo, this combination has also fulfilled the Competition Criteria.
Kirsty Van Loon and eight-year-old Australian-bred gelding Nero R are stepping up from CPEDI2* level to CPEDI3* here at Boneo, and what a debut – their mark of 67.130% has given them a World Championship qualifying score at their first attempt!
The CPEDI3* Grade IV Grand Prix A was a strong class, with Brooke Neville placing fourth aboard Remi Bellagio (Belissimo M), Darcy Macaulay fifth with Vittorio VDS, and Anne Watts sixth with Santana MH (Santino) – with all three riders posting solid scores at the elite level.
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio record a PB to claim the CPEDI3* Grade V
The CPEDI3* Grade V Grand Prix A saw two combinations secure World Championship qualifying scores. Paralympian Lisa Martin took first place with Vilaggio on a total score of 74.957%, while Mietta Innes-Irons finished second aboard Sir Helmut (Sir Donnerhall) with 71.837%, and Stuart Drysdale placed third with Blueberry 20.
Lisa and Vilaggio already have their 67%+ qualifying scores achieved, and have now also competed at two CPEDI3* events this year to satisfy the Competition Criteria section of the selection policy – as has Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut.
Both combinations also achieved PB scores for the Grade V Grand Prix A test – a remarkable achievement!
The CPEDI3* Grade II goes to Bridget Murphy and ‘Macey’
Paralympian Bridget Murphy took first place in the CPEDI3* Grade II Grand Prix A with Penmain Promise (Triple Trees Prince Perfect) on a total score of 68.505% – marking another qualifying score for the combination. Although the duo already had the required scores to their name, competing here at their second CPEDI3* for 2026 sees them fulfil the Competition Criteria.
Maddison Cooke and long-time partner Byalee Magic II (Richmeed Medallion) placed second with 66.609%, Victoria Davies placed third with Sonnensterne (Sun and Fun) on 65.230% – both FEI MERs for the World Championships – and Paralympian Joann Formosa and Ashquar Riley finished fourth. It was great to see a strong and relatively large field in the Grade II at this event.
A qualifying score for Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3 in the CPEDI3* Grade III
Claire Graham took first place in the CPEDI3* Grade III Grand Prix A with Furst Olli 3 (Furstenball) on a qualifying score of 67.666%. This combination is another to already have ticked off 67%+ qualifying scores at two prior CPEDI3* events, and now with two CPEDI3* events to their name this year, they have also fulfilled the Competition Criteria. Claire owns Furst Olli 3 in conjunction with Event Director Jade Woodhead Butler of Carlton Performance Horses and Kylie Kisby.
Another strong and sizable field in the Grade III saw Melissa Cannon finish second aboard Duchess DS (Dark President), with Ella Newbery third on Felton Gold EB (Fidertanz), and Felicity Weal fourth with FTF Florita.
Kylie Christian claims the CPEDI3* Grade I with Ivan Carlos
Kylie Christian took first place in the CPEDI3* Grade I Grand Prix A with the lovely rising 13-year-old KWPN gelding Ivan Carlos (Ampere) on a total score of 64.167% – an FEI MER score – while Stella Barton finished second aboard Kendall Park Odyssey.
Australian team
The Australian team for this event – which allows Australia to accrue FEI rankings points and provides all-important team environment experience – was comprised of Mietta Innes-Irons with Sir Helmut, Bridget Murphy with Penmain Promise, Lisa Martin with Vilaggio, and Claire Graham with Furst Olli 3. With scores from the Grand Prix A combining to deliver a total, the team achieved a score of 215.299.
Australian is currently sixth in the FEI Para Dressage World Team Ranking.
Up-and-coming combinations contest CPEDI2* classes
The CPEDI2* classes give up-and-coming para dressage combinations the opportunity to compete and develop at FEI level, and several took that opportunity here at Boneo.
Michele Duthy took first place in the CPEDI2* Grade IV Intermediate A with Haluma Park Siorus (Andelain Zantorian) on a total score of 68.800%, while Megan McLoughlin finished second aboard Mayfield Springsteen (Springbank II VH).
Kate Nipperess won the CPEDI2* Grade II Intermediate A with Dame Remi Wolverine on a total score of 69.737%, while the CPEDI2* Grade III Intermediate A went to Paralympian Emma Booth and the mare Glenhill Divine Classic on 69.127%.
Deborah Hodgson took first place in the CPEDI2* Grade V Intermediate A with Maserati (Ferdeaux) on 62.321%.
Competition continues tomorrow at Boneo Park, with the CPEDI3* competitors tackling the Grand Prix B tests and another opportunity to post qualifying scores, while CPEDI2* riders will contest the Intermediate B tests.
Virtus Equestrian
The Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular also offered Virtus Equestrian classes. Kyle Chapman contested the Virtus II1 Grade IV Novice A with Chapplehurst Mozique, taking out first place with 60.667%.
