Shenae Lowings and off-the-track Thoroughbred Bold Venture (Devaraja x Zamoff) have once again shown they are a force to be reckoned with on the Australian eventing circuit after taking out the CCI4*S at Tamworth International Eventing over the weekend.
It was the duo’s third CCI4*S win at Tamworth, having also claimed victories in 2025 and 2022.
The experienced combination – who represented Australia at the 2022 FEI World Championships and completed the jumping phase for the team at the 2024 Paris Olympics – added just 2.8 cross-country time faults to their impressive dressage score of 22.6 to finish on 25.4.
Their dressage score was their second-best result at FEI level, with their mark of 21.8 at the Bawley Point CCI4*S in 2023 the only better performance.
Fifteen-year-old Bold Venture – also known as ‘Bentley’ – raced as Hell On Wheels and was underwhelming on the track. Lowings purchased the bay gelding from a Facebook advertisement for $1000 in 2016, and ten years on the partnership is still going strong.
Lowings’ fiancé Sam Woods finished in second place with 12-year-old SS Eight Count (Hamlet x Ajoutez la Mère) on 33.6. The duo was the quickest on cross-country, adding just 1.2 time faults to their dressage score of 32.4 to rise from fifth place.
Third place went to Jess Somerfield and 10-year-old APH New Sensation on 35.4 after adding 2.8 cross-country time faults to their dressage score of 32.6. Andrew Cooper and Sharvalley Thunder were fourth on 36.9 after jumping a double clear, with Cooper also taking fifth place with Ocean Eight on 40.3.
Andrew Cooper secures CCI3*S win
Andrew Cooper also had two rides in the CCI3*S, winning with 11-year-old Sandhills Cristiano (Christian x Sandhiils Beetle/Stirling Sprite) and placing third aboard Omega Star. Sandhills Cristiano added 1.6 cross-country time faults to his dressage score of 30.8 to finish on a winning total of 32.4, while Omega Star added 0.4 time faults to a dressage score of 35.5 as the quickest on course to finish on 35.9.
Between Cooper’s rides was Georgia Bradford with 11-year-old Cassio Xtreme, who added 2.8 cross-country time faults to a dressage score of 30.6 to finish second on 33.4 – just one penalty behind Sandhills Cristiano.
Carlene Barton and Henrik APH win CCI2*S
Carlene Barton rode her own Henrik APH to victory in the CCI2*S on 38.9. Most recently campaigned by daughter Olivia Barton – who is currently based in the UK with APH Sodoku and Hollyander HG – Henrik APH is by APH Rocardo out of the Trak mare APH So Hattie and was bred by Carlene at APH Sporthorses.
Second place went to Charlotte White and Remi Lord of the Realm on 41.9, while Charlotte Chilvers finished third with Chai Latte on 50.4.
Full results from Tamworth International Eventing can be found here.
