Melbourne International Three-Day Event kicks off with stars of the future

The 2026 4CYTE Melbourne International Three-Day Event began on Thursday, with the IRT Young Event Horse Challenge competitors the first into the arenas amid classic Werribee winter weather. Fortunately, competition was held indoors!

Georgia McGrath and the off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTT) Autumn Glory (The Autumn Sun x Magistra) took out the Four-Year-Old division, marking an exciting start to this horse’s competition career. Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Autumn Glory had four race starts and two trials in Tasmania, but failed to make a mark on the track. Last racing at the end of 2024, he’s now certainly on the path to a successful second career as an eventer.

In second place was Avril Charman with Aquila Royale (Eagle Rock x Diamond B Conseal), ahead of Sophia Pratley and My Sweet Balou (Glenbrae Bolingers Cowboy x Wilde Irish Song), Emily Anker and Zillionaire (Millionare x DP Secret Faith), Erin Callahan and Poppy Boy (Contenda x Remy), and Tayla Anderson with Calanico (Calavino x Inca Gold) rounding out the placings.

Georgia McGrath and the off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTT) Autumn Glory (The Autumn Sun x Magistra) took out the Four-Year-Old division. Image by Angie Rickard Photography.

Georgia McGrath and Autumn Glory (The Autumn Sun x Magistra). Image by Click Capture.

In the Five-Year-Old class, it was Kasino Royale (Wild Kard x Royal Chanel) for Bianca Sigismundi who claimed the win. Kasino Royale’s sire, Wild Kard, was a success show jumper – winning the Five-Year-Old Championships at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in 2019 for Jamie Kermond and going on to compete at World Cup level with Phillip Lever. Wild Kard is out of Seumas Marwood’s highly successful eventing mare, Wild Oats.

Second in the class was Black List SF (Black Jack IXE x Pearls N Diamonds) for Stuart Tinney. Black List SF’s sire, Black Jack IXE, was another successful show jumper, representing Australia at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark with Billy Raymont in the saddle, before being sold in Europe.

Third place went to Lily Wickenden and Run For Prophet (Palentino x Typhoon Henny) (OTT), followed by Natasha Moody and ES Adele (Black Jack IXE x Exhort), Elin Jarnestrom and Bellhaven de Sol (Bellhaven Toulon Blue x Bellhaven Bellinis Girl, and then Natasha Moody again with Sloane Square (Wish Upon A Star x Sienna) completing the top six.

In the Five-Year-Old class, it was Kasino Royale (Wild Kard x Royal Chanel) for Bianca Sigismundi who claimed the win. Image by Angie Rickard Photography.

Kasino Royale (Wild Kard x Royal Chanel) and Bianca Sigismundi. Image by Click Capture.

Belrock Kerajan (Karajan x Belrock Nadia) won the Six-Year-Old division for Sydnie Williams, with this impressive young horse ultimately crowned the Champion of Champions and presented with the Zoe Warrell Memorial Award.

Awarded to the highest-scoring horse across the Young Event Horse divisions, the Zoe Warrell Memorial Award recognises an outstanding young horse demonstrating the qualities and potential for a future in the sport.

Second place in the Six-Year-old class went to Tolerance (OTT) (Starspangledbanner x Enchating Waters) for Sydney Wenn. This gelding had 12 starts for a win in a maiden at Hamilton, before running his last race in March 2025, and is another OTT with a promising post-racing career now unfolding.

Megan Joyce and APH Hugo (APH Lubeck x APH Meander) placed third, ahead of Bianca Sigismundi and Flying Jukebox (OTT) (Jukebox x Miss Presidential), Avril Charman and Wild Gamble (Wild Card x Ruby), and Sharna Dolbey riding Thorlindah Hyacinth HWP (Royal Mirage W x Thorlindah Jasmine Ash) filling the top placings.

Belrock Kerajan (Karajan x Belrock Nadia) won the Six-Year-Old division for Sydnie Williams, and was also crowned the Champion of Champions and presented with the Zoe Warrell Memorial Award. Image by Click Capture.

The Completely Equine CCI3*L Trot Up winner, Kate Irvine with Codak Xtreme. Image by Click Capture.

Completely Equine Trot Up Best-Dressed winners crowned

The first horse inspection for several classes also took place on Thursday, with stylish outfits certainly in abundance this year.

The Completely Equine Trot Up best-dressed winners were:

Off The Track CCN1*L: Zoe Weinberg and Beachgoer

Off The Track CCI2*L: Shashank Singh Kataria and Icaro LB

CCI2*L (Young Rider/Junior): Liam Mackenzie-Smith and Sandhills Invader

CCI3*L: Kate Irvine and Codak Xtreme

Zoe Weinberg was named the Completely Equine CCN1*L Trot Up winner with her OTT Beachgoer. Image by Click Capture.

Completely Equine CCI2*L Trot Up winner, Shashank Singh Kataria with Icaro LB. Image by Click Capture.

Completely Equine CCIYJ2*L Trot Up winner, Liam Mackenzie-Smith and Sandhills Invader. Image by Click Capture.

Action continues today

Friday will see the first horses down the centreline in the dressage, with the CCIYJ2*L competitors in action from 8am AEST. The Yulong Rising Stars dressage phase also commences today from 10.30am, followed by the CCI3*L at 11.05am, and the CCI2*L from 2.50pm.

The CCI4*L horse inspection will take place at 4pm, and then the Yulong Rising Stars entrants will complete their jumping phase from 4.40pm.

This evening will also feature the EV Young Ambassador Q&A with Sam Jeffree, Sophia Hill, Tahlia Pursell and Lamoza Velisha – a not too be missed opportunity for those heading to Werribee today.

View the dressage draws.

Results will be available via Event Secretary.

Watch live and on-demand with Horse & Country

Horse & Country will once again livestream the action from both the cross-country (Sunday 7 June) and show jumping (Monday 8 June) phases, allowing equestrian fans to watch live as it unfolds or catch up on demand at their convenience.

Sign up to watch Melbourne International Three-Day Event via H&C+ here.