Drizzle couldn’t dampen spirits as competition got underway Friday at the 2025 Limitless Lodge Sydney International Three-Day Event. Held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC), Horsley Park, the opening day featured dressage across all levels, with combinations aiming to set themselves up for a strong weekend.
Thoroughbreds proved they can still match it with the best in the eventing business — even in the dressage phase — and currently lead three of the seven ‘star classes’ here in Sydney. Elsewhere, show jumping and dressage bloodlines came to the fore — showing it does take all types in the dynamic sport of eventing!
Limitless Lodge CCI4*L
Shenae Lowings and her experienced 15-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred Bold Venture (Devaraja x Zamoff) lead the CCI4*L as the only combination to break the 30-penalty barrier, scoring 27.2 with over 70% awarded by all three judges.
The ground jury comprised Australians Peter Shaw (E) and Emma Flegman (M), alongside Great Britain’s Angela Tucker (C).
A highlight for Shenae and ‘Bentley’ was their extended walk, which earned a 9 from Angela Tucker — no small achievement on a fit Thoroughbred keen for Saturday’s cross country.
Shenae and Bentley are no strangers to major stages: they have twice won the Adelaide CCI4*S, represented Australia at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Pratoni, and travelled as reserves to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where they ultimately contested the show jumping phase after a team withdrawal.
Purchased off the track for $1000 a decade ago, Bentley has been produced by Shenae all the way through the levels. A Sydney CCI4*L victory would be another remarkable milestone in their career.
Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar sit second on 31, with Andrew Cooper and Sharvalley Thunder close behind in third on 31.6. Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango (35) and Jess Somerfield with Finch Farm Carpentaria (35.1) round out the top five. Last year’s winners, Sam Jeffree and Santoro, are eighth on 35.8 heading into Saturday’s cross country.
Agnes Banks Equine Clinic CCI4*S
In the CCI4*S, Christine Bates and Bloomfield Findon continued their impressive form to lead on 29.7. The nine-year-old gelding, owned by Nicola Rockwell, has already won five of his eleven FEI-level starts, with Sydney marking his first international-level four-star. By Fiderstern (Fidertanz) and out of a Don Davidoff mare (Don Davidoff featuring Donnerhall and Rubinstein bloodlines), Findon is bred for to excel in the dressage arena — and it showed.
Andrew Barnett and Oscar Park Deluge sit second on 31.6, with Sam Woods and SS Eight Count third on 33.2. It’s tight at the top, with Hazel Shannon holding both fourth and fifth aboard WillingaPark Clifford (33.3) and WillingaPark Chelsea (33.9).
At 20 years old, Clifford remains extraordinary — earlier this year he claimed his fourth Adelaide CCI5*L win, proving he’s as formidable as ever.
4CYTE CCI3*L
Hannah Deegan and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred HK Hawthorn (Toorak Toff x Volksraad) lead the CCI3*L on 31.7. This combination will be hoping to emulate their success from last year’s event, where they won the CCI3*S.
Olympian Shane Rose sits second just 0.8 behind on 32.5 with Diva Royale, while Olivia Shore and Eliva Castana hold third on 33.1.
Seven-year-old Diva Royale is making her first international four-star start. She is by Caliber Royale, a stallion who began his career as an eventer before enjoying success as a show jumper and was formerly ridden by Chris Burton.
Emma Bishop and Bobby Dazzler are fourth on 33.6, with Charlotte Lalak fifth on Fairbanks Casino (34.1).
Rosehip Vital CCI3*S
Niki Rose leads the CCI3*S with her seven-year-old Zangersheide (Belgian Warmblood) gelding Cooley All Over (Cristello 7 x Dollar du Murier), scoring an impressive 26.1. The French-bred horse’s pedigree features jumping royalty — his grandsire is Cornet Obolensky.
It was a standout day for Niki, who also holds second place with Dreamrush (27.2), an Irish-bred horse with Belgian jumping lines.
Emma Mason sits third with the evergreen Warrego Marco Polo (28.6), who defies his 19 years, while Katie Taliana is fourth with Revelwood Wynston Street on 29.4. Tara Rogers and Denison Park Smooth (29.7) round out the top five.
Seventh-placed Lauren Browne and her Thoroughbred Sky’s Da Limit (31.7) is another horse proving age is just a number here in Sydney, with the 18-year-old gelding producing a solid test.
Bates Saddles CCI2*L
Junior rider Lydia Proctor and Sandhills Style lead the CCI2*L on 28.1. Bred by the Barrett family, Sandhills Style is out of successful eventing mare Sandhills Special and by Stakkatol (Stakkato).
Lamoza Velisha and Ophelie Van Prinseveld (28.4), Christine Bates and Statford Matilda (28.8), and Megan Jones with Cadello MPH (28.9) are all within a single penalty, ensuring a thrilling cross country phase on Saturday.
Cathryn Herbert with CH Collette and Georgia Spangaro with Lord Wimborne share fifth on 31.4. Young rider Hannah Rockwell — who last weekend won the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at the CPH Dressage Extravaganza in Victoria with Baumann’s Diorella — is tenth on 33.3 with Hermes des Brandieres.
CCN1*
The CEVA CCN1* (A) is led by junior rider Charlize Scott and off-the-track Thoroughbred Midnight Hawk on 28.7.
Deon Stokes leads the Bucas CCN1* (B) with Freycinet II on the best score of the day across the star classes: 23.8.
Cross country begins at 9am AEDT Saturday, starting with the CCI3*L, followed by the CCI3*S, CCI4*L, CCI4*S, CCI2*L and CCN1*.
View Saturday’s cross country course via CrossCountry App here.
