Tom McDermott and Oaks Ventriloquist, pictured here competing on the Australian Nations Cup team in Deauville, France earlier this year. Image by Grand Prix Events.
There is nothing that unites Australian’s quite like a major sporting event, and this year’s FEI World Championships at Aachen seems to have us all feeling particularly patriotic.
With the FEI World Championships fast approaching, the Australian team has been announced and many of us are gearing up for all-nighters in front of the television or perhaps, if you’re lucky enough, a long-haul flight to Europe to cheer on our Australian representatives in person.
Whilst every major championship that includes an Australian team sparks interest from viewers and supporters at home and abroad, something feels different in the lead up to this year’s event. With more Aussies than ever (it feels like) taking horses that have been bred and produced on our shores abroad to battle it out with the best in the world, there is a lot to be excited about in the Australian jumping ecosystem.
When analysing why this year’s championship team feels particularly close to home, it would be remiss to not start with the appointment of Chef d’Equipe and Technical Lead Gavin Chester.
Gavin Chester (centre), pictured here with Australia’s Nations Cup team from Wellington, Florida in February this year. L-R: Thaisa Erwin, Lauren Balcomb, Jamie Winning-Kermond, and Hilary Scott. Image by Sportfot.
“Gavin is a friendly face
who is always up for a chat…”
When the Australian Olympian, Nations Cup representative, four-time Australian Championship title winner, Equestrian Victoria Hall of Fame inductee and much respected course designer, technical delegate and coach was appointed to the roles, it was widely celebrated. There are few people with a resume of Australian jumping participation and service as impressive as Gavin’s. Beyond his contributions to the sport as a competitor, official and coach, for many who have competed on the Australian jumping circuit (particularly those on the east coast), Gavin is a friendly face who is always up for a chat and generous with his knowledge.
TEAM AUSTRALIA
The six combinations initially announced to represent Australia at this year’s championship, including a reserve, were:
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield
Thomas McDermott and Oaks Ventriloquist
Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara WAT Colblensky
Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B
Rowan Willis and Handsome
Reserve: Hilary Scott and Lola
“Edwina brings a wealth
of championship knowledge
and skill to the team.”
As our country’s leading lady rider for many years, five-time Olympian Edwina Tops-Alexander will partner with her Paris 2024 ride Fellow Castlefield, the 2010 brown gelding. With years of experience at the highest level of the sport across the world and at her base, Stal Tops, in the Netherlands, Edwina brings a wealth of championship knowledge and skill to the team.
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield, pictured here representing Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Thaisa Erwin will reunite with Paris Olympic teammates Edwina and Hilary Scott, selected for the championships with her Olympic mount, Hialita B. Based in the United States, Thaisa and the 2012 Emerald Van’t Ruytershof-sired Hialita B have formed quite the partnership, representing Australia in Nations Cup teams and placing in many big Grands Prix up to CSI5* level across the US. Interestingly, Thaisa also had a hand in producing American McLain Ward’s championship ride, High Star Hero. Thaisa competed High Star Hero to Grand Prix level before McLain Ward took the reins.
Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B, pictured here competing in the USA. Image by Sportfot.
“Thaisa Erwin will
reunite with Paris
Olympic teammates…”
Rowan Willis also knows exactly what’s required at a World Championship. In 2018, he was part of the team that secured sixth place overall, securing a qualification for the then upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Whilst Rowan and his nominated ride for this championship, Handsome, are a relatively new partnership, they have certainly hit the ground running competing in four CSI5* Grands Prix at Spruce Meadows with two top 10 finishes.
Rowan Willis and Handsome, pictured here competing recently at Hickstead in England. Image by Elli Birch/Boots & Hooves Photography.
BLOSSOMING CAREER
Jamie Winning-Kermond and the Australian-bred mare Tulara WAT Colblensky will join the team, making their World Championship debut. Bred by Mark and Anna Fraser of Tulara Warmbloods, Tulara Wat Colblensky – sired by Colman out of Tulara Cornetto – started her career with Ingrid Williamson (hence the WAT which stands for Williamsons At Tallarook). Many of us based in Australia have had front row access to watching Tulara WAT Colblensky’s career blossom.
Partnered with Jamie Winning-Kermond, the duo won the Caboolture World Cup Qualifier and travelled to Fort Worth, Texas to contest the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final. Since their leap overseas, Jamie and ‘Juno’, as she is affectionately known around the Australian jumping circuit, have continued to impress on Nations Cup teams and in tough Grand Prix classes.
Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara WAT Colblensky, pictured here competing at WEC in Ocala, Florida. Image by Andrew Ryback Photography.
Jamie and Juno are joined by fellow Australian-bred and produced combination Tom McDermott and Oaks Ventriloquist, marking an exciting chapter for Australian jumping. Bred by Alice Cameron at Oaks Sport Horses, Oaks Ventriloquist is by Vivant van de Heffinck (who Chris Chugg rode for Australia at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky) and out of Renata Ego Z. ‘Venti’ commenced his career under Alison Rowland before Kate Hinschen, under the guidance of George Sanna and Amber Fuller, purchased him as a four-year-old. Hinschen produced Venti through the grades before selling him to fellow Australian Izabella Stone. After great success at Grand Prix level in Australia, Stone and Venti moved to Europe where they jumped in many Grand Prix classes and were named on Nations Cup teams.
Venti was then sold back to Australia, with Tom McDermott picking up the ride. Tom and Venti hit the ground running with World Cup success and the Australian Senior Title (securing Tom’s fourth win of the prestigious event) before beginning their campaign in Europe. In the recent CSI5* Grand Prix at Hamburg, Tom and Venti showed the world exactly what Australian combinations are made of, finishing in seventh place alongside some of the world’s most seasoned combinations.
Thomas McDermott and Oaks Ventriloquist, pictured here competing in the CSI5* Grand Prix in Hamburg.. Image by Lukasz Kowalski.
SPECIAL FOR HILARY SCOTT
This championship will be a special one for Hilary Scott, co-owner of Oaks Sport Horses. Whilst Hilary herself has been named as the reserve with her 2016-foaled grey mare Lola (sired by Cardento out of Valencia), who she has shared a plethora of success with including representing Australia on the Nations Cup team in Wellington, it will be a special moment watching one of the horses her family have bred in Oaks Ventriloquist join the Australian team. Hilary, Alice and the team at Oaks Sport Horses have not only forged a path in Australian breeding, but they have also been instrumental in supporting a number of young horse competitions around Australia that enable breeders and producers to showcase the depth of talent we have in Australia.
Hilary Scott and Lola, pictured here competing at WEF in Wellington, Florida. Image by Sportfot.
Whilst the selection of all Australian representatives is incredibly exciting and shows the talent, skill and determination of all partnerships, there is something incredibly special about watching combinations such as Jamie and Juno and Tom and Venti, who have been bred by Australians and produced on our shores, take on the big leagues with such success. It is a testament to the years of work put in by Australian breeders to improve the quality of horses available on home turf, and the dedication and expertise of the many owners, riders, coaches and producers who have all played a part in keeping Australian combinations together. It is proof that even from afar, our home-based combinations have exactly what it takes to make it to the top, and our education systems and competition circuits are heading in the right directions.
Whilst we love a friendly rivalry with our neighbours across the ditch, Australian spectators will also be cheering loudly for the New Zealand team at this year’s championship. Sophie Scott will head to Aachen with the Australian-bred Normandy GHP, bred and started by Olivia Hamood of Glen Haven Park in Queensland. Former Australian Olympic representative Katie Laurie will fly the flag for New Zealand with Django II, who was campaigned in Australia as a young horse before Laurie made the move to Canada where she is currently based.
New Zealand’s Sophie Scott and Normandy GHP, pictured here winning the Tamworth World Cup Qualifier in 2025. Image by Arcadia Images.
Another Australian-produced horse, PSS Levilensky, will take to centre stage with Turkish competitor Necmi Eren. PSS Levilensky, or ‘Levi’ as he was known in Australia, was produced to Grand Prix level by Chris and Gabi Chugg before being sold overseas. Gabi and PSS Levilensky were a part of the Nations Cup Team in Peelbergen, Kronenberg, alongside Tom McDermott, Amelia Douglass and Thaisa Erwin.
PSS Levilensky, pictured here competing in Australia with Chris Chugg. Image by Oz Shotz.
“It is a testament to
the years of work put in
by Australian breeders.”
As mentioned by Stephen Lamb and Rod McQueen on The Back Rail Podcast, there is another horse which Aussie fans will likely also be cheering on. The former ride of New Zealander Julie Davey, LT Holst Freda – who represented the Kiwis at the recent World Cup Final – will take to the main arena with none other than Harry Charles in the saddle. Certainly one to keep a very close eye on!
As we count down the days to the FEI World Championships, it’s never been such an exciting time to be fan and supporter of Australian Jumping.
FINAL AUSTRALIAN JUMPING TEAM CONFIRMED FOR AACHEN
Since time of writing, Equestrian Australia confirmed on 7 August the four showjumping combinations that will make up the final team for the FEI World Championships in Aachen.
As mentioned above, originally all five combinations were named as potential team starters with Hilary Scott and Lola (VDL Cardento 933 x Otangelo) the reserves. At the FEI World Championships, a team of four competes; it is believed nations could elect to name their final starters as late as the final training session in Aachen.
Final Australian jumping team:
Tom McDermott and Oaks Ventriloquist (13-year-old gelding by Vivant out of Renata Ego Z, by Rex Z)
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield (16-year-old gelding, by Je T’aime Flamenco out of a mare by Twister)
Rowan Willis and Handsome (14-year-old stallion by Toulon out of Zirence, by Phin Phin)
Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara WAT Colblensky (11-year-old mare by Colman out of Tulara Cornetto, by Cornet Obolensky)
Reserve: Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B (13-year-old mare by Emerald out Dialita B, by Vaillant) EQ
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