According to the Competition Criteria section of Australia’s FEI World Championship Selection Policy, to be considered for team selection para dressage combinations must have gained scores of over 67% at two CPEDI3* events in the Grand Prix A or B tests and have competed in no less than two CPEDI3* events between 1 January 2026 and 15 June 2026.
Held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC), Hawkesbury CPEDI is the final qualifying event on home soil, and with several combinations in the running for selection, many were no doubt hoping for strong performances on the opening day of competition.
In the CPEDI3* Grade IV Grand Prix Test A, Paralympian Dianne Barnes and 12-year-old Friesian stallion Tjibbe B (Norbert 444) won with a score of 71.805%. While Di and Tjibbe have already satisfied the Competition Criteria, this was a new PB in the Grand Prix A Test for the pair and shows a steady improvement in their scores.
Brooke Neville and Remi Bellagio (Belissimo M) placed second with a qualifying score of 67.500%, while Helen Batson and 12-year-old Oldenburg mare MSJ Tia Fortuna (Furst Heinrich x Rubenstein/Donnerhall) – were third on 67.139% despite a costly error of course; this combination has also already fulfilled the Competition Criteria.
The CPEDI3* Grade II Grand Prix Test A went to Paralympian Bridget Murphy and mare Penmain Promise (Triple Trees Prince Perfect) on 70.862%, ahead of Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II (Richmeed Medallion). Bridget and Macey’s score bettered their Grand Prix A Test mark from the previous qualifying event at Boneo last month and is their second best ever mark in the test. This combination has also already fulfilled the Competition Criteria.
Mietta Innes-Irons won the CPEDI3* Grade IV Grand Prix Test A with Sir Helmut on a score of 70.598%, ahead of Stuart Drysdale and Blueberry 20. Mietta and Sir Helmut have already fulfilled the Competition Criteria, and today’s mark was their second best ever in the Grand Prix A Test as well.
The CPEDI3* Grade III Grand Prix Test A saw Claire Graham and stallion Fürst Olli 3 (Furstenball) continue with their consistent run of scores, achieving a strong mark of 69.500%. This combination is another to have already fulfilled the Competition Criteria, and today’s mark bettered their most recent Grand Prix A test result from Boneo. Melissa Cannon and Duchess DS Dark President) , now representing Great Britain, scored an impressive 68.333%.
The CPEDI3* Grade I Grand Prix Test A went to Kylie Christian and Ivan Carlos (Ampere) on a qualifying score of 67.222%; this combination has also already fulfilled the Competition Criteria.
Other winners on day one:
CPEDI2* Grade II Intermediate Test A: Kate Nipperess and Dame Remi Wolverine, 67.105%
CPEDI2* Grade III Intermediate Test A: Amylie Hines and River Park Sienna, 62.119%
CPEDI2* Grade IV Intermediate Test A: Sarah Sherwood and Dicavalli Royal Guess, 67.600%
CPEDI2* Grade V Intermediate Test A: Heidi Ford and Rikaardt H, 63.988%
Virtus Grade II1 Test 1 (Grade IV Novice A): Andrew Driffield and No Doubt, 61.000%
Virtus Grade II2 Test 1 (FEI Grade III Novice A): Chloe Karsten and Riff Raff, 60.157%
Virtus Grade II3 Test 1 (FEI Grade IV Novice A): Jodin Bell and Hardrock Aritha, 57.500%
Competition continues Sunday and Monday.
