Show jumpers from across Australia converged on Boneo Park from 31 October to 2 November for the 2025 Boneo Cup, a key prelude to this week’s Australian Jumping Championships.
Sunday’s headline class, the Boneo Cup (145–150cm, Art. 273.3.3.1), saw 14 of Australia’s top combinations in action — and it was Billy Raymont’s day. The Queensland show jumper claimed both first and second place with nine-year-old stallion Blue Balou PS (Action Blue x Baloubet Du Rouet) and ten-year-old stallion Tulara Dakchico (Dakar R x Chico’s Boy), heading into the Championships at Boneo Park in fine form.
Jumping double clears with both horses, Billy stopped the clock at 61.97 seconds with Blue Balou PS and was just a fraction behind with Tulara Dakchico in 62.90 seconds.
“I’m super super happy with them,” says Billy following the win. “It’s been a steady progression [with Blue Balou PS]… he’s been a major focus for me, and I think he’s an exciting horse for the future. That horse could jump Bunnings next door [to Boneo Park] if you pointed him at it!”
Tesse Raymont spotted the Schockemöhle-bred bay stallion as a six-year-old in Europe when she and Billy were looking to import a horse to Australia following their campaign at the 2022 FEI World Championships, where Billy rode Black Jack IXE.
Billy’s main focus is next year’s FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. He hopes to be in Europe next year with three horses qualified — Blue Balou PS, Tulara Dakchico and Caprino — so he can take his pick.
“I’m more motivated than I’ve ever been!”
Boneo Cup placegetters
Another Queensland combination, Shane Davidson and Spectre D, took third place in the Boneo Cup as the only other pair to finish on zero penalties, posting a time of 66.45 seconds.
Shane’s wife, Mattea Davidson, was fourth riding her World Cup qualifier winner Jaybee Vigilante. The pair jumped double clear and were quick in round two (63.93) but carried over three time faults from round one. Mattea also produced the quickest ride in round two with her other World Cup winner, Checkamour D, stopping the clock at 56.60 but collecting two rails after jumping clear in round one to ultimately place sixth.
Fifth place went to Hayden Park with Tulara Spangenberg, finishing on four faults from round one and a blistering round two time of 57.56, where they were clear.
Last year’s Boneo Cup winner, Frida Lindgren, had a rail down in both rounds with Wondaree Colleen to finish on eight faults — albeit with a quick round two time of 61.32 seconds for seventh place.
Tori Stuckey and Jaybee Balon D’Or were the eighth combination to qualify for the second round after having just one rail in the first. Unfortunately, the 2023 Boneo Cup winners elected to retire in round two.
Other winners included:
JPR Young Rider Championship: Jack Barker and Tulara On Trend (0/0/40.60)
Leader Equine Junior Championship: Charlee Dobbin and Gabriel MVNZ (0/0/38.54)
Red Fox Lodge Children’s Championship: Harriet Smith and Gisborne Girl (0/0/34.72)
Flemings Nurseries Open Championship: Frida Lindgren and Sovereigns Halo (0/0/43.88)
Amateur Championship: Bek Carrolan and Chatham Park Quigley (0/0/36.27)
Mick Pritchard Future Stars Championship: Frida Lindgren and Threemc Lumeah (0/0/30.03)
Equestrian Life Mini Prix: Brook Dobbin and Devos GP (0/0/44.76)
