Australia looks to make its move in Certius Nations Cup finale

Australia’s carriage driving combinations will have two more opportunities to add valuable points to the Certius Nations Cup leaderboard when the international competition comes to Western Australia and Bundanoon this weekend.

The race for international honours in the 2026 Certius Nations Cup is heading towards its conclusion, with Australian drivers preparing for the final two home rounds of the competition on 31 October and 1 November.

The series, which incorporates the Ashes, is an international, multi-venue competition that allows carriage drivers to represent their country on home soil. Competitors contest equivalent events at venues around the world, with their placings contributing points towards the overall national standings.

The competition brings together drivers from Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Wales and New Zealand, with classes catering for a broad range of experience and abilities, including introductory, novice, open and para driving.

Rather than requiring national teams to travel to one central location, the Nations Cup's unique format enables drivers to compete locally while contributing to an international leaderboard. The competition features three phases in an arena-based format, with results from participating venues combined to determine the Nations Cup standings.

As combinations take to the arena, every placing can contribute to the national campaign. Under the Nations Cup points system, results are weighted according to the number of nations represented in each class, allowing teams of different sizes to compete on a comparable basis.

Australia chasing valuable points

Australia's campaign continued in September when drivers from Australia and New Zealand met at Nanango, Queensland, for the Oceania round.

Australian competitors recorded several encouraging results across the different classes, including Hilary Stubbs' second-place finish in Novice Pony Pair. Lyn Clark also contributed a point to Australia's tally in Novice Para, while Corby Cunnington led the Australian placings in Novice Pony, finishing sixth in a competitive field that included combinations from Denmark, England and New Zealand.

Sue Cummings and Amy Geldart represented Australia in Introductory, Angie McHugh competed in Novice Horse, and Stubbs also contested Open Pony. Senior drivers Patricia Nolan and Trish Colson added further points to Australia's campaign.

Following the Nanango round, England led the overall standings, with Denmark second and New Zealand third in its debut season. Wales sat fourth, Canada fifth and Australia sixth.

With two Australian-hosted events remaining, the upcoming rounds present an important opportunity for local drivers to strengthen the nation's position as the international series reaches its final stages.

For more information, visit the official Certius Nations Cup website.