TANNER ROBINSON SHINES AT KRA CUP

For Tanner, the competition delivered far more than results alone. “The difference from here [in Australia] to over there, is the culture and the way that they run things – it was incredible,” she shares.

“I went there wanting to place, but you don’t expect it when you’re on a borrowed horse,” Tanner explains. “You just want to be on a nice horse and enjoy the time. So, the fact that I came away with two wins and a third, and being able to place in all three classes, was a highlight.

“It’s just not something that you can expect, and you can’t wish for anything better really.”

“All the horses’ names were in the envelope, and then I just had to put my hand in and pluck out a name, and that was the horse I got.”

The format creates one of the most level playing fields in international show jumping, rewarding adaptability and horsemanship rather than established partnerships. To ensure safety for horse and rider, the jump height was set lower than the normal Australian Young Rider height of 1.20m, at 100-115cm height – allowing it to be a technical course that many horses are capable of.

“It was super competitive actually, because it was that bit lower,” Tanner explains.

The competition also serves as a major showcase of Korean-bred horses, with all mounts used throughout the championship – which included Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods and ponies – bred and raised in Korea.

Despite the challenge, Tanner quickly clicked with her allocated horse, Mario Win.

“With Mario, I knew he was a really sweet and easy-going animal, so it wasn’t too hard to get used to,” she explains. Accompanied by her parents, including World Cup show jumper and mother Airlie Robinson, Tanner had a strong support system around her – although with limited time at her disposal, she didn’t have a set plan on how to go about bonding with her new equine partner.

“Mum and I didn’t really have any training techniques when it came to adapting to the new horse. We just did the best we could in the time we had, and it all worked out.”

MINIMAL PRESSURE, MAXIMAL EXPOSURE

The pressure of the format becomes even more apparent when considering how little preparation riders actually receive before entering the arena. On the first day, riders briefly rode their horses in the morning before being given just 15 minutes and six practice jumps ahead of the first competition.

While Tanner ultimately did not take home the overall cup – which was awarded solely to the winner of the final class rather than cumulative placings – her consistency across the week made her one of the standout riders of the event.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION WITH A TWIST

While Tanner’s results were remarkable, much of the KRA Cup experience extended far beyond the competition arena.

The event heavily incorporated Korean culture, entertainment, and hospitality throughout the week – including food trucks, traditional culture experiences, interactive activities, and family-friendly entertainment designed to engage local communities and spectators throughout the championship.

Each evening featured different cultural experiences for riders and supporters. One night, competitors were taken through one of Seoul’s historic palaces, where guides shared stories about Korean history and traditions. Another evening included a performance based around Korea’s “fire horses.”

For Tanner, the event demonstrated how equestrian sport can successfully combine serious competition with entertainment and audience engagement – and she feels these aspects were generally better-run in comparison to events here at home.

“It was just something different every day,” she says.

The venue itself also impressed. Held at the KRA 86·88 Equestrian Park, originally built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Tanner describes the facilities as “amazing.”

From there, riders sprinted to a waiting vehicle where a parent, coach, or a supporter completed a driving obstacle course through cones.

“It was really cool,” Tanner shares. “It just involved more people too, which was fun.”

Robinson’s father took on driving duties in a brand-new Maserati, reportedly worth around $300,000, adding another layer of excitement to the already unique class.

The Ride & Drive quickly became one of Tanner’s favourite memories of the trip.

“Honestly, I reckon the Ride & Drive was definitely one of the highlights,” she says. “It was fun involving the coaches and parents in the competition.”

A SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY

Another aspect of the event that left a lasting impression on Tanner was the generosity shown by the Korean riders and organisers. Competitors were housed, transported, and fed throughout the event.

“Aside from our plane tickets, we didn’t spend a cent there,” Tanner says. “The Koreans fed us, housed us, and transported us.”

The rider who owned Tanner’s horse also went out of his way to support her throughout the week. “He was so lovely,” Tanner said. “He helped in every way. He brought me snacks and drinks every day, and he was competing as well, on another borrowed horse.

“It was just amazing generosity from the people that supplied the borrowed horses. It’s a hard thing to do, because offering your horse does come with some risk [when you don’t know the riders].”

A MODEL AUSTRALIA COULD LEARN FROM?

The KRA Cup experience also raised questions about whether similar events could work in Australia. Tanner believes there is potential for Australia to become more involved in Asia’s FEI competitions and potentially even host a comparable event in the future.

“Why couldn’t they run one in Australia?” Tanner says.

Because horses are also supplied for travelling riders, competitions like the KRA Cup dramatically reduce the cost barrier typically associated with international competition, making overseas experience more accessible for young riders.

For Tanner, who represented Australia at the Young Rider Trans-Tasman Challenge in New Zealand over the past two years on borrowed horses, the KRA Cup offered an entirely different challenge and perspective.

“It was pretty cool to be an individual and you’re only counting on yourself,” she explains.

Although this year marked Tanner’s final opportunity to compete at the event due to age eligibility, the experience clearly left a lasting impression. “I would encourage anyone and everyone to apply to go… it was just a really cool experience.”

And after leaving Seoul with two wins, a third placing, and memories unlike any traditional show jumping competition, it is difficult to argue otherwise.