Held in conjunction with the LCT Ocala Tour at Diasti Stables, the event brought together riders from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and beyond for two action-packed days of competition, education, and cultural exchange in the equestrian capital of the world.
Cochran claims the crown on day one
Competition opened with the 1.20m Championships, where Australia’s Zavanah Cochran aboard Tia set the early benchmark, claiming both the Speed Class win and Best International Rider title. Fellow Australian Eva Shore and Cooper followed closely in third, giving Team GAT a commanding start.
“Getting a new horse to trust you is difficult in such a short time, but the Global Amateur Tour, along with Ronny, provided an incredible framework to help me build that partnership and get the most out of my time here in the USA. I cannot recommend it enough,” said Cochran.
In the 1.10m Championship, Lucy Prevost (Australia) and Drake produced a stylish clear to finish third and earn Best Foreign Rider honours. Argentina’s Karin Weinhold and Kaboom impressed once again in the 1 m Championship, securing third with a balanced, efficient round.
The 90cm division rounded out the opening day, with Australian duo Tilly Denny-Iti and Talulah producing one of the fastest rounds of the class. An unlucky rail kept them from the placings, but their performance drew warm applause from spectators.
Success set the tone for an exceptional week of results from the Australian contingent, who made up one of the largest international groups on tour.
Aussie depth across the divisions on day two
Sunday’s finals continued the momentum. The 1.10m Championship saw Zavanah Cochran maintain her winning streak with a decisive back-to-back victory, before jumping straight on a flight home ahead of this week’s Australian National Championships at Boneo Park.
In the 1.20m, Australian Chloe Gee capped off an excellent week with a fluent, stylish round to finish second and Best International Rider.
Across all divisions, Australia dominated the results board, confirming its reputation for producing confident, competitive riders on the international stage. “From the first class to the last, the quality of riding, horse power, and team spirit from our Australian riders was exceptional,” said Lucy Olphert, GAT Co-Founder and Chef d’Équipe for the USA Tour.
Beyond the arena
While the focus was firmly on top-class competition, riders also immersed themselves in the cultural heart of Ocala, enjoying a visit to Universal Studios Orlando, a glass-bottom boat tour through Silver Springs National Park, and professional development sessions with international show groom Candace Pollaert and “The German Riding Instructor” Ronny Riemer.
They toured the renowned Equine Performance & Innovative Center (EPIC) and enjoyed a BBQ evening hosted by Kiwi Olympian Sharn Wordley, all part of GAT’s mission to combine high-performance sport with cultural connection.
Buck & Ride Challenge: Aussies bring the heat
The week’s light-hearted highlight came during the Buck & Ride Challenge, where Team GAT including several Aussies, took on local Ocala pros in a mechanical bull and speed-jumping showdown. Despite being the visiting team, the internationals rode away with the win (and the belt buckles to prove it), showing true Aussie grit and team spirit.
Looking ahead: GAT USA 2026 applications now open
Building on the success of this year’s event, applications are now open for the 2026 GAT USA Tour, returning to Ocala from 20 – 30 March 2026.
The upcoming edition will once again combine elite training and international competition with cultural experiences, including spectating at the Longines League of Nations, the pinnacle of global showjumping.
Australian riders interested in joining next year’s team can apply at www.globalamateurtour.com.
Source: Global Amateur Tour press release, edited by Equestrian Life.
