Grade IV rider Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna, who had their first CPEDI3* start at Boneo in November 2025, have achieved several FEI World Championship qualifying scores. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
An enormous week of competition took place at Willinga Park at the end of February, with Para and Virtus riders taking to the stage in what was the second qualifying event on Australian soil for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
There was a huge quantity of combinations at the Carlton Performance Horses CPEDI across multiple grades, which included Virtus Equestrian, Para CPEDI2*, and Para CPEDI3* classes. With outstanding performances across all grades and levels, it is worth noting for those following at home that only combinations competing in the CPEDI3* classes are eligible to meet selection criteria for the World Championship.
Before we break down the selection criteria and have a look at what the results from Willinga Park mean moving forward, let’s have a look at the overall championship winners from each class at the CPH CPEDI at Willinga Park.
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix V – Lisa Martin and Vilaggio
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix IV – Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix III – Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix II – Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix I – Kylie Christian and Ivan Carlos
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate V – Heidi Ford and Rikaardt H
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate IV – Brooke Neville and Remi Bellagio
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate III – Danielle Louizou and BML Jack Sparrow
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate II – Kate Nipperess and Dame Remi Wolverine
II3 Virtus – Grace Murphie-Ryan and Pemberton Show Bizz
II1 Virtus – Brooke Jones and Allengreen Jazzabelle
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio were there CPEDI3* Grade V Champions at Willinga Park. Image by Beautiful A Photography/Amylie Hines.
SELECTION SCORES ACHIEVED
There are now several combinations that have completed two of the three relevant competition criteria required to be considered for team selection (as per Australia’s selection policy) for the World Championships – that is, gaining scores of over 67% at two CPEDI3* events in the Grand Prix A or B tests. The third component of criteria states that riders must compete in no less than two CPEDI3* events between 1 January 2026 and 15 June 2026. This means that riders who have gained qualifying scores now MUST compete in a minimum of one of the remaining selection events. These events are Boneo Park CPEDI3* in May, and/or Sydney CPEDI3* in June of 2026.
There are now five riders that have completed the first elements of competition criteria:
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise (Grade II)
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio (Grade V)
Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut (Grade V)
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna (Grade IV)
Claire Graham & Furst Olli 3 (Grade III)
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise, pictured here at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Image by Kim C Lundin.
There are plenty of familiar faces on the scene during this campaign. Paralympians Bridget Murphy riding Penmain Promise and Lisa Martin riding Vilaggio produced outstanding performances at Willinga Park and gained additional qualifying scores, adding to those already achieved at the Australian Para Dressage Championships CPEDI at Boneo Park in November 2025.
However, Willinga brought with it some new combinations too. This always seems to be the case at the beginning of a qualifying year with people gaining catch rides and new partnerships forming in a final attempt to gain qualifying scores and make team selection.
“Willinga brought with it
some new combinations too.”
DI BARNES AND TJIBBE B
One of these debut combinations was Paris Paralympian Dianne Barnes on her new mount, Tjibbe B – a stunning black Friesian stallion owned by Jennifer Rapson. According to Jennifer, she saw Tjibbe as a three-year-old and absolutely fell in love. At the time he was owned by Daniella Dierks, and Jennifer bought him then and there. He is now twelve years old and has had a phenomenal career so far, with numerous years still under his belt with plenty more to give. In the nine or so years that Jennifer has owed Tjibbe, he has accomplished a huge amount on the dressage circuit, successfully competing to Advanced level.
For the past three years he has been ridden by Serena Ireland with numerous successes as a combination. Some of these include Medium Champion at the 2023 Brisbane CDI; Advanced Freestyle winner at the 2024 Brisbane CDI; Advanced Freestyle winner at the 2024 and 2025 NSW Dressage Championships (with a PB score of 75.133%); and Advanced Reserve Champion, Advanced Freestyle winner, and Prix St Georges runner-up (in his Small Tour debut) at the 2025 Dressage by the Sea at Willinga Park.
Dianne Barnes and Tjibbe B competing at Willinga Park. Image by Beautiful A Photography/Amylie Hines.
Read more: TJIBBE, THE BLACK STALLION WHO STEALS HEARTS – Equestrian Life, November 2025
Jennifer had briefly considered selling Tjibbe towards the end of 2025, but fortunately for all involved, the partnership with Dianne Barnes was formed and they haven’t looked back. Di has been given the opportunity to ride this lovely lad at the remaining World Championship qualifiers, with the aim of getting on the Australian team for Aachen 2026.
Their debut performance at Willinga Park was hugely successful. Dianne rode three beautiful tests in the CPEDI3* Grade IV to produce extremely competitive scores, one of which was a qualifying score.
“Tjibbe is amazing. I just sit on him and steer him around,” says Di, who also commented on the stallion’s tremendous attitude and laid-back nature; attributes that, in my opinion, usually make for wonderful para horses. The pair looked like a match made in heaven and I’m so pleased to see such a wonderful horsewoman out in the competition arena again, doing what she loves most. Di rides beautifully but also demonstrates what it means to be a successful competitor – always humble and giving so much of herself to other competitors. Di is constantly seen encouraging and supporting other riders (of all levels) and always has the biggest smile on her face – usually making others laugh and enjoy the competition experience. We wish Di and Tjibbe’s owners all the best as the remaining qualifying events unfold, and look forward to watching this fresh combination establish an even greater understanding moving forward.
HELEN BATSON AND MSJ FORTUNA
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna are another combination that have recently stepped up to CPEDI3* in the Grade IV and have quickly become quite a notable combination. They produced some awesome results at Boneo in November 2025 and again delivered some wonderful performances at Willinga Park. The pair gained another qualifying score in the Grand Prix B test, taking the overall CPEDI3* Grade IV Championship.
MSJ Tia Fortuna (aka Fuji) is a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare by Furst Heinrich out of a Rubenstein/Donnerhall mare. She was bred in the UK at Mount St John stud and imported as a two-year-old by Carolyn Walsh of Ellenbrae Park. She placed fifth as a four-year-old at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars and was competed up to Medium level by Charlie Walsh and Carolyn herself.
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna were the CPEDI3* Grade IV Champions at Willinga Park. Image by Beautiful A Photography/Amylie Hines.
Helen purchased Fuji in April of 2025, but fractured her knee the following day, so their competition debut was slightly delayed. However, despite this setback, they had their first CPEDI2* start at the Hawkesbury CPEDI in June, followed by their first CPEDI3* start at Boneo in November – achieving selection criteria in both the Grand Prix A and B tests.
“Our competition PB, and a massive highlight of our partnership, was getting 75% in our freestyle at Boneo,” says Helen. “However, I also really loved the feeling she gave me in our Grand Prix B test at Willinga. A couple of rider errors in setting up movements kept our score a bit lower, but I can feel the potential for so much more in our work.
“Fuji is an affectionate mare who bonds to her people and loves cuddles,” continues Helen. “She always tries so hard under saddle – I just love her generosity and attitude towards her work. She also loves her routine and makes her opinions known, so life with Fuji is never boring.”
This pair makes a harmonious picture and we look forward to seeing them continue their campaign this year.
MIETTA INNES-IRONS AND SIR HELMUT
Mietta Innes-Irons made the trip to Willinga Park with her gorgeous gelding, Sir Helmut. This was his first time competing at Willinga and probably one the longest trips Mietta has made with him since bringing him to Australia at the end of 2024.
“Although we got two more qualifying scores for the World Championships, I was disappointed with my performances,” Mietta shares. “I underestimated how much the humidity would impact and fatigue Helmut, one of my elastics snapped at the start of my first test, I didn’t ride the way I wanted to.
Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut, pictured competing at Boneo Park CPEDI in November 2025. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
Mietta says that while there were elements of her performance at Willinga that didn’t go to plan, on reflection she’s pleased with the general upward trend in their work.
“I’ve been competing Helmut for 12 months now and it’s been consistently uphill; we’ve never had anything go wrong. Although I was disappointed, Willinga taught me a very valuable lesson.”
Mietta informed me that through her trip to Willinga, a few small flaws in her training and competition plan were revealed, and she says that she’s now excited to make some positive changes as a result of her learnings and is looking forward to seeing them improve their performance and partnership at the next qualifying event (Boneo Park CPEDI3* in May).
CLAIRE GRAHAM AND FURST OLLI 3
A combination that have been together for a little while and have had an incredible start to their World Championship campaign is Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3. Furst Olli arrived in May of 2022. Jade Woodhead Butler found this beautiful horse 12 months earlier, and after negotiating he was purchased by Jade in conjunction with Kylie Kisby and Claire Graham. They fell in love with him on arrival and say he is “a true gentleman”.
Claire was diagnosed with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) at just 20 years of age. Due to this, her body tends to break itself down.
Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3 were the CPEDI3* Grade III Champions at Willinga Park. Image by Beautiful A Photography/Amylie Hines.
Claire had been riding in the Grade IV section for several years, but given the degenerative nature of her disability, and many additional health challenges faced over the past few years, Claire underwent reclassification last year and was moved into the Grade III category. Claire had decided before the last classification that she would be retiring if not reclassified, as she can no longer canter her horse safely, nor did she think it would be safe for others in the warmup.
Claire is very aware that she will deteriorate and that her time riding is coming to a close. When Claire retires from riding, she will continue as an owner, breeder and hopefully judge. “Every ride is a win and a privilege!” she says.
We wish Claire, Olli and all connections the very best in the coming qualifying events, and look forward to seeing them once again hit the competition arena at Boneo Park CPEDI3* in May.
WORLD CHAMPS SET TO TAKE PLACE INDOORS
The 2026 FEI World Championships are set to take place in Aachen, Germany, with the Para Dressage competition taking place Wednesday 19 August to Sunday 23 August.
One of the differing features of the World Championships in comparison to a Paralympic Games is that the para competition is run in conjunction with the able-bodied disciplines. All athletes are competing simultaneously at the same venue, which, speaking from experience, is such a thrill. Don’t get me wrong, the Paralympics bring an unbelievable connection in their own right because they are held separately, but in contrast, it’s liberating competing on the world stage amongst your fellow Aussie, able bodied athletes. It gives the experience a sense of inclusivity and comradery that is different to what is felt at isolated para competitions.
Something I wanted to touch on as the FEI World Championships approach, is that the Para Dressage events are going to be held in an indoor arena this year.
Both Vaulting and Para Dressage are scheduled for Stadium 3; for those familiar with CHIO Aachen, this is the Deutsche Bank Dressage Stadium. An FEI World Championship press release last year explained that this stadium – which is normally open – will be roofed especially for the Championships.
This is different to most World Championships and Paralympic Games where the competition typically takes place in an outdoor arena.
Deutsche Bank Dressage Stadium at CHIO Aachen, which is typically open; for Vaulting and Para Dressage at the FEI World Championships, this will be the covered Stadium 3. Image by DPA Picture Alliance.
All international athletes competing are presented with the same arena at the Aachen venue and are given the same amount of familiarisation time on the “Field of Play” prior to competing. So, from this it’s fair to say that on arrival to Aachen, an even playing field is established. However, will the indoor arena work to some horse and rider combinations advantage? I think it most definitely will.
This is just my opinion, but I do think some horses will be better equipped to dealing with the atmosphere an indoor arena brings. Numerous combinations in Europe train and compete exclusively in indoor arenas during the winter months, which isn’t as common in Australia. Yes, we have access to indoor arenas, but on average I’d say it is not nearly as prevalent.
There was discussion amongst riders prior to Willinga as to why this qualifying event was not held in the indoor arena given the information we have about the World Championship venue.
It was requested by multiple riders prior to the event to compete in, or even utilise for training, the indoor arena – and I believe this could have been achieved to help our riders prepare in the best possible way for the greatest outcomes in Aachen.
If I’m speaking honestly, I think that High Performance could have considered this rider request with more thought and deliberation, as I believe they ultimately would have had the power to change the competition location. I think that these kinds of decisions can have a huge impact on horse and rider performances, so it really should be given greater consideration moving forward.
I do agree that top-level combinations with a lot of experience might not be impacted by the type of arena or event location, but we need to think about how these riders got to this point, and how we can best prepare our riders for the future.
In a para setting with potentially newer combinations competing, I would have liked to see the para events at Willinga Park held in the indoor arena (which was not in use during the week of competition) to give our para riders greater exposure and experience. I think if you can replicate the international setting as best as possible, why not? What’s the downside?
An indoor arena might not be a big deal to some, but will this play a part in overall results at Aachen? I personally think it’s entirely possible. EQ
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It’s competition crunch time for para riders taking on the 2025 Para Dressage National Championships (CPEDI2*/3*) at Boneo Park in Victoria this month. The event is hosted by Carlton Performance Horses and will be the first qualifying event for the FEI World Championships in Aachen 2026.
It’s always fascinating to hear the stories of horses that are not only competitive in their own right but who also take their owners and riders on journeys they never imagined. Few horses embody this better than the magnificent black Friesian stallion Tjibbe B.