High Performance News Clips: Sept 2025

HP TEAM SUPPORT ROLES

• Dressage and Jumping: EOI have been called for Chef d’Equipe/Technical Lead. The appointments will support the disciplines through to the end of the LA cycle (December 2028). Applications are due 3 October to [email protected]
• Endurance: Christine Stomps was appointed Chef d’Equipe and Dr Narelle Cribb Team Vet through to December 2026.  

EVENTING
The National Eventing Selector’s and EA announce the AET Nations Cup Team for Boekelo (NED) on the 9-13 October:

• Ema Klugman and Chiraz
• Kevin McNab and Faro Imp
• Isabel English and Cil Dara Bombay S
• Olivia Barton and APH Sodoko

You can watch the Boekelo Nations Cup 2025 live and on-demand on ClipMyHorse.TV

PARA DRESSAGE
The Para Athlete Barrier Fund is an initiative of the Australian Government-funded Para Uplift and will help cover costs such as equipment, travel and support workers with grants of up to $4,000 for athletes across 18 different sports.
Six Australian Para Equestrian athletes are among more than 100 para-athletes nationwide to receive funds that will help them continue to chase their dreams, thanks to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Paralympics Australia.

• Helen Batson (NSW)
• Stuart Drysdale (NSW)
• Sharon Jarvis (WA)
• Bridget Murphy (Vic)
• Kate Nipperess (NSW)
• Zoe Vorenas (Vic) 

DRESSAGE
With competitions gearing up over the next few months, our Australian Grand Prix Dressage Athletes focussing on achieving MER’s for next year’s World Championships will be busy planning their campaigns. Domestically, Brisbane CDI saw some MER’s achieved and internationally, we have some new combinations that will also start adding depth to those athletes that have already obtained their FEI MER.  The next pinnacle event on the calendar is Australian Dressage Championships at SIEC (SYD) on 16-19 October 2025. https://australiandressagechampionships.com.au/   

DRIVING
It was a very busy month for FEI Driving World Championships!  Still glowing from Boyd Exell and Tor Van den Berge Nations Cup win in the “fours” at Aachen, driving followers had a few late nights watching the following Aussie’s compete throughout Aug/Sept. 

Tor Van den Berge competed Leo and Nanda van der Burgt’s horses, a relatively in-experienced team being together less than a season, to finish a credible mid field in a large class of the world’s best in this category, the FEI Driving World Championships for Pair Horses in Beekbergen (NED). 

Jodie Mckeone travelled from Melbourne to Lahden (GER) to compete in her second FEI Para Driving Championships.  Jodie formed a good working relationship with Zeusz, in a short time, and while things didn’t entirely go to plan, Jodie proved a force to be reckoned with in all three phases finishing the competition in 12^th overall. 

Janelle Marshall and her horse, Halcyonia Mistletoe travelled from the US to Le Pin au Haras (FRA) to compete in the FEI Driving World Championship for Ponies Singles. Another very large class of the world’s best, Janelle placed 15^th out of 40!

ENDURANCE
Two of our very talented Young Athletes, Poppy Kettlewell and Eadie McWilliam, made the long trip from Australia to Buftea, Romania, this month to compete in the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors along with their crews/family. A technical course of 120km, our young ladies shone! Poppy aboard Oso Irazu competed the ride in 10^th place, with Eadie and Larntainey Silver Treasure finished in 15^th.  The field was very large with 95 combinations starting the race. Both Australian horses were in beautiful condition, and we are sure we will see much more of these young athletes in the future.

JUMPING
A successful series of two Australian teams against a New Zealand team in both Senior and Young Rider categories has just finished.  Over three pinnacle events, the Trans Tasman provided riders the opportunity of a TEAM experience and provided Spectators plenty of excitement as the teams pitched all they had to finish on the best score! The NSW series started at Waratah at SIEC, then headewd to Tamworth, culminating at Willinga Park. HP congratulate all that were involved in making this such a great event.

Seniors: Australia Green won the overall series, New Zealand 2nd, Australia Gold third. Young Rider: New Zealand were very strong on this tour winning all three legs.  

VAULTING
EA Vaulting Committee set up a sub-committee earlier this year to commence work on the High Performance Vaulting Pathway. Under the philosophy “athlete and team capability grows when we share knowledge, build strong relationships and support each other to succeed on the international stage”, two key volunteer roles are being added to strengthen the pathway:

• HP Capability Resource Manager required to work with international cohert to develop a library of shared Vaulting resources relevant for athletes, coaches, lungers and officials.
• HP Capability Event Manager to assist and coordinate HP Pathway events and meetings between athletes, coaches and team managers.
• Applications are due 28 September, contact [email protected].