Lisa Martin and Vilaggio produced stand-out results at the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular CPEDI at Boneo Park. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
Run by Carlton Performance Horses, the recent Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular CPEDI was a hugely successful competition for the para community – not only for the results but also in the turnout.
A lot of emphasis has obviously been put on qualifying scores for the FEI World Championships in Aachen this August, but something I noticed at Boneo were the number of para competitors who are relatively new to the scene and happy to be out with their horses gaining experience and enjoying the journey.
There were numerous combinations in both the CPEDI2* and CPEDI3* classes who were simply there to have fun, learn and improve in this sport that we call para dressage. I saw firsthand several instances in which para competitors were assisting one another in multiple ways, which for me was a real weekend highlight. There were a lot of competitive scores put on the board, but equally a huge number of happy faces leaving the arena on the Sunday, which makes it all worthwhile.
After the Willinga Park CPEDI, I specifically made comment regarding the somewhat low scores from this event. I made a point of commenting on the overall average scores being lower and slightly less competitive than what we might have anticipated at the second World Championship qualifier.
However, the same thing can certainly NOT be said about the scores from Boneo Park. WOW! We had some incredibly world-class performances, extremely competitive scores produced, and several personal bests gained. The riders vying for a spot on the team certainly didn’t leave anything in the tank. It was make or break, and a few riders gained significant traction in their campaigns.
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
This event was a real milestone for numerous para riders entering the competition arena. Combinations striving for a spot on the Australian team for Aachen really needed to step up; riders were required to show the selectors what they are capable of and remind them that they should not be discounted.
In my opinion there was no shortage of riders putting their best foot forward. There were even a couple of riders who might not have been considered for the team after Willinga, but will now be very much at the forefront of the selectors’ minds. With one final selection event yet to come, who will make up the para team for Aachen is anyone’s guess.
“There was no shortage
of riders putting their
best foot forward….”
STAND-OUT PERFORMANCE
Lisa Martin is first on my list of notable performances at Boneo, gaining PBs in all three tests and a HUGE score of 75.088% in the Grand Prix B! Another thing worth highlighting with specific regard to this performance is that Marco Orsini, an FEI 5* judge who will be head of the Ground Jury for the World Championships in Aachen, rewarded Lisa’s test with a score of 76.711%. These are world-class scores and will unquestionably be on the selectors’ radar.
Lisa finished the weekend on a high note in the Freestyle, gaining a PB of 77.559% and taking CPEDI3* Grade V Champion for this event. Lisa and her horse Vilaggio are looking incredibly strong in the arena – she really has him right where he needs to be in the lead-up to such an event, and I look forward to watching them as the World Championships approach. The scores Lisa achieved at Boneo are absolutely incredible and she has made it seriously difficult for the selectors not to really consider her for the Australian para team in Aachen.
In the Grade V section, Lisa Martin’s performances were all closely followed by Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut in second place, who added to their already existing list of qualifying scores of over 67%. The combination received 71.837% in the Grand Prix A test, 69.517% in the Grand Prix B test, and 73.934% in the Freestyle.
Mietta has now completed all the required selection criteria and will be hoping to produce similar results at the final CPEDI3* event in Sydney over the 13-16 June weekend to ensure she stays in contention for a spot on the team. I do believe Mietta has had an extremely successful campaign thus far, and should the pair continue producing tests of this standard in Sydney, she will be a very strong contender.
“Mietta has had an
extremely successful
campaign thus far…”
Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut, pictured here at a previous event. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
FIERCE COMPETITION
As we move our focus to the CPEDI3* Grade IV class, some fierce competition unfolded. Dianne Barnes and Tjibbe B were on fire, taking overall Grade IV Champion! Di brought her A-Game to Boneo Park, telling the selectors not to discount her just yet. She is an extremely experienced competitor who has only had a very limited amount of time with this particular horse, but their improvement since Willinga is truly worth paying attention to.
The judges rewarded their powerful performances with more PBs. Di set the standard in the Grade IV on day one with a super-competitive score of 71.065% in the Grand Prix A test, followed closely on day two with 70.676% in the Grand Prix B test.
Dianne Barnes and Tjibbe B showed great improvement from the previous CPEDI at Willinga Park. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
Di has now well and truly completed the selection criteria of two scores over 67% across two selection events in 2026, which means the selectors will be seriously watching to see what this combination can produce in Sydney over the June long weekend. Helen Batson riding MSJ Tia Fortuna and Kirsty Van Loon riding Nero R were sitting right behind Di in the CPEDI3* Grade IV Grand Prix A and B tests, both producing further qualifying scores and adding to their already impressive resumes. Helen claimed the CPEDI3* Grade IV Freestyle with 72.908%.
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
“They consistently get
the job done…”
In the CPEDI3* Grade III, Claire Graham continued her winning streak, adding further qualifying scores to her tally and taking overall Grade III Champion in this class. Claire’s beautiful and experienced stallion, Furst Olli 3, produced some lovely, consistent performances. When looking at this combination through the lens of the selectors, my interpretation is that they are a very safe combination. They consistently get the job done; Furst Olli 3 behaves himself and Claire rides so accurately, which makes them a rather low risk choice.
Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3 are a very consistent combination. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
Furthermore, even on what you might consider a “bad” day in the competition arena, they never drop too far below their average, which is another hugely appealing influence that the selectors will be factoring into their decision.
FINISHING WITH A BANG
Claire and Furst Olli 3 finished the weekend off with a bang, gaining an impressive score of 73.422% in the Freestyle event.
In the CPEDI3* Grade III class, reserve champion was awarded to Melissa Cannon and Duchess DS. Melissa was recently regraded into this section and is now representing Great Britain.
The CPEDI3* Grade II overall champion was Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise. The pair eased their way into the weekend, gradually improving scores across the three days of competition, finishing on a high in the Freestyle with a super impressive score of 72.400%.
The scores gained by this duo over the weekend further solidified their strong performances since their return from the Paris Games in 2024 and highlighted why selectors will be keeping an eye on this pair as the final qualifying event unfolds.
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
In the CPEDI3* Grade I, Kylie Christian won the overall Champion title with some impressive scores. She improved significantly from her results at Willinga just a few short months earlier to gain a PB of 69.845% in the Freestyle aboard her imported gelding, Ivan Carlos.
In the CPEDI2*, overall champions were as follows:
Grade V = Deborah Hodgson and Maserati
Grade IV = Michelle Duthy and Haluma Park Siorus
Grade III = Emma Booth and Glenhill Divine Classic
Grade II = Kate Nipperess and Dame Remi Wolverine
Virtus Overall Champion was awarded to Kyle Chapman aboard his lovely stead, Chapplehurst Mozique. Kyle did a wonderful job, and it should be mentioned that he made a huge effort to travel interstate to represent Virtus riders at Boneo Park.
Kylie Christian and Ivan Carlos were another combination to show vast improvement at Boneo Park. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
ATTENTION TURNS TO HAWKESBURY DRESSAGE FESTIVAL
There was a lot of pressure weighing on the results from the CPEDI3* at Boneo Park, but more than a few combinations really stepped up to the task and will have the selectors thinking twice about which riders might make up the team.
Now the pressure builds again in the lead-up to the fourth and FINAL qualifying event at Hawkesbury Dressage Festival in Sydney (13-15 June). There are numerous combinations that have been head-to-head, the quality of scores is exceptionally high, and the last event is really going to be the deciding factor in who will be selected. There are a lot of options this year and I don’t envy the selectors in any way.
I wish all riders heading to Sydney all the very best and look forward to watching closely as those in contention have their last dance prior to selection. EQ
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