The trot-up took place Thursday afternoon at Boneo Park for the CPEDI competitors, with all horses passing the inspection and moving forward to the first day of competition on Friday.
Qualifying scores at stake
The CPEDI3* classes will feature riders striving for FEI World Championship qualifying scores – which, according to Equestrian Australia’s selection policy, are scores over 67%. To fulfil the competition criteria section of the selection criteria, combinations must achieve over 67% at two CPEDI3* events in the Grand Prix A or B tests – and also compete in no less than two CPEDI3* events in 2026. Willinga Park CPEDI was the first opportunity this year, with the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular CPEDI now the second opportunity. The Sydney CPEDI in June is the final qualifying event on Australian shores.
To date, riders with two scores over 67% include Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise (Grade II), Lisa Martin and Vilaggio (Grade V), Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut (Grade V), Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna (Grade IV), and Claire Graham & Furst Olli 3 (Grade III).
Read more: PARA PATH TO AACHEN GAINS MOMENTUM – Equestrian Life, March 2026
CPEDI3* competitors at the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular include:
Grade I:
Kylie Christian and Ivan Carlos
Stella Barton and Kendall Park Odyssey
Grade II:
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise
Joann Formosa and Ashquar Riley
Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic 2
Victoria Davies and Sonnensterne
Rebecca Webber and Glenayre Skyline
Grade III:
Ella Newbery and Feltongold EB
Felicity Weal and FTF Florita
Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3
Melissa Cannon and Duchess DS
Grade IV:
Dianne Barnes and Tjibbe B
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna
Kirsty Van Loon and Nero R
Brooke Neville and Remi Bellagio
Darcy Macaulay and Vittorio VDS
Anne Watts and Santana MH
Grade V:
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio
Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut
Stuart Drysdale and Blueberry 20
Australian team:
Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio
Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3
Alongside the elite level para dressage riders, the event is also hosting CPEDI2* classes for the next generation of combinations coming up through the ranks, Virtus Equestrian classes, and national-level EA classes from Preliminary to Grand Prix.
