Thursday also featured the first of the Completely Equine Dolly’s Dream CCI* horse inspections, where competitors brought style to the trot-up in support of a meaningful cause.
IRT Four Year Old Young class
In the IRT Four Year Old Young Event Horse class, Abigail Hobbs took the win aboard Riverton Commander. A recent addition to her team, the striking bay gelding marked a major milestone for Hobbs. Bred by Grady’n Stones at Riverton Performance Horses, Riverton Commander—by Tulara Compaccio—was praised by judges for his athleticism and promise as a future top-level contender.
Abigail Hobbs and Riverton Commander took out the 4YO class. Bred by Grady’n Stones at Riverton Performance Horses, the gelding is by Tulara Compaccio and was purchased just a few months ago.
IRT Five Year Old class
The IRT Five Year Old division was won by Mackenzie Walch riding Misty Isle Sergei, a bay warmblood gelding bred by Elisabeth Nicholson. By Cornet Pilatus, son of the legendary Cornet Obolensky, Misty Isle Sergei impressed with his presentation, rideability, and scope, earning top marks from the judges and admiration from the crowd.
Mackenzie Walch and Misty Isle Sergei won the 5YO division. The bay warmblood gelding by Cornet Pilatus was bred by Elisabeth Nicholson and scored highly for rideability and scope.
IRT Six Year Old class
Victoria’s Tahlia Pursell dominated the IRT Six Year Old class with Yalambi’s Oscar De La Renta, leading from start to finish. The elegant gelding, bred by Rory Hovell at Yalambi Farm Stud, stood out in both the dressage and jumping phases. His pedigree includes a double cross of the influential Capitol I, through sire Yalambi’s Incognito VDL and dam Yalambi’s Trendy Lady. The pair were also crowned Champion of Champions.
Tahlia Pursell and Yalambi’s Oscar De La Renta claimed the 6YO title. Bred by Rory Hovell at Yalambi Farm Stud, the gelding carries a double cross of Capitol I through both sire and dam.
Thursday also saw the first horse inspection for the Completely Equine Dolly’s Dream CCI* classes. Winners of the Best Presented awards—Dominik Michalczyk, Ethan Height, Zoe Weinberg, and Georgia Elias—each received a voucher courtesy of Completely Equine.
In a heartfelt tribute to mental health awareness, riders were encouraged to add a touch of blue to their trot-up outfits in honour of Dolly Everett and the work of Dolly’s Dream. The initiative served as a reminder of the importance of kindness and bullying prevention in the equestrian community and beyond.
The event is proudly supported by the Victorian Government and the Australian Institute of Sport.
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Source: MI3DE press release by Click Capture
