Robbie McKinnon & QS Sierra won the Intermediate I Freestyle at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars. Image by Equisoul Photography.
There were many exciting storylines to emerge from the 2026 P.S.I. Dressage and Jumping with the Stars — and one of those is the rise of Robbie McKinnon’s mare, QS Sierra.
Robbie and QS Sierra in the Prix St Georges at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars, where they placed third. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Following their standout win in the Intermediate I Freestyle, Robbie McKinnon spoke candidly about her exciting partner, 11-year-old QS Sierra (Stedinger x Florett IMP/Florestan), who was bred by Kay Sutherland of Que Sera Farm in Queensland.
Robbie says Sierra can be sensitive, but really rises to the occasion. “She’s one of those horses that tries really hard for you, she’s completely on your side. She’ll give you everything. She’s the sort I’d take into battle,” smiles Robbie.
Despite her success, Sierra hasn’t been overexposed to big environments.
“She hasn’t had a huge amount of exposure,” Robbie explains. “We’ve been quite careful with her because she can be sensitive. We’ve been very selective — making sure she’s confident in her work and really understands her job before stepping her up.”
That made their win at DJWTS all the more significant. “That was definitely the biggest atmosphere she’s handled — and I was really happy with how she coped. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but in the warm-up she was so relaxed, so chilled. I thought she might be a bit spooky with everything at eye height, but she didn’t bat an eye.”
Once in the arena, Sierra’s mindset was clear. “As soon as she knows her job, she’s on fire. She’s just amazing.”
Riding her, however, is no easy feat. “I have to work very hard to sit on her trot — I need sticky spray on my saddle just to stay with her! But it’s an incredible feeling. I’ve honestly never felt anything like it.”
With her lightness and expressiveness, Sierra is already making her mark at Small Tour level. In the Inter I Freestyle, her winning score of 76.205% was impressive and it built upon her 69.618% she achieved a day earlier for third place in the Prix St Georges.
“I was a bit nervous; this field could have gone any way. If someone really nailed their test, [the Inter I Freestyle] could have been anyone’s class, but I know if she performs well, she has what it takes to do well.”
Robbie also placed third riding David Shoobridge’s Verstappen DS in the Four-Year-Old Young Dressage Horse Championship. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Looking ahead, the big question is how far Sierra is from Grand Prix — not that Robbie is in any rush. “The piaffe and passage come very naturally to her — she offers it all the time, it’s very easy. The one-tempis are where we need to focus now. My coach, Lyndal [Oatley] and I have been talking about really pushing on with those.”
And there was already a glimpse of what’s to come. “I did two tempis on a curve last night — Lyndal couldn’t believe it! She said, ‘You’re ready for more’.”
But the future? That looks exceptionally bright. “She’s just so exciting. I’ve got to wrap her in cotton wool; she’s my baby. I absolutely adore her.”
FURTHER SUCCESSES
QS Sierra wasn’t the only success story for the McKinnons at DJWTS this year.
The Intermediate II saw a win for Dave with ten-year-old KWPN gelding Lea Rian (Furst William x Jazz). The newly imported horse, owned by Carol and Sandy Oatley, was contesting only his second Inter II in Australia and scored 71.470%. It was a very consistent and even test and the horse is clearly talented in piaffe and passage. As the partnership and understanding continue to develop, there looks to be plenty more to come.
Robbie collected third in the Inter II with SPH Fortino (Floreno x Dormello), a former DJWTS Young Dressage Horse Champion of Champions who has recently stepped up from Small Tour level. She also secured another third placing in the Four-Year-Old Young Dressage Horse Final, riding David Shoobridge’s Verstappen DS (Vitalis x Ampere) to a score of 79.2%. EQ
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