Sadly, due to travel problems caused by Cyclone Alfred, our video team is unable to get to SIEC this weekend to film the cross country but we'll see you at the September event!
It isn’t a CCI event, but the REC Equine Specialists Sydney Eventing Autumn Classic is undoubtedly the first big event on the 2025 NSW Eventing calendar and we’re looking forward to seeing some favourite horses we haven't seen for a while back in action.
Talented horses return to competition
Taking place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March 2025, the Sydney Olympic venue will see dual Olympic medallist Shane Rose starting his season and, very excitingly, the horse he will be riding in the CCN4* is the talented 13-year-old mare Easy Turn, back after a break from competition. We last saw Easy Turn at Willinga Park in October 2023 where she won the inaugural CCI4*-S and Shane’s socials say that she will be just doing the dressage and showjumping at Sydney to ease her into the season.
Another horse we haven’t seen since Willinga Park is Emma Mason’s lovely old faithful, Warrego Marco Polo in the CCN3* while Emma will be competing the big guy, KPH Kingfisher, in the 4*.
Evergreen triple 5* winner Willingapark Clifford ridden by Hazel Shannon is another of the 11 horse and rider combinations in the national 4* class and Hazel also has Willingapark Chelsea, another talented horse back in competition after a break, in the 3*.
New rides for Andrew Barnett and Emma Bishop
Andrew Barnett was still buzzing from his overseas campaign when we interviewed him late last year at Camden and, as well as his grey horse Oscar Park Deluge in the 3* here, he has also picked up the ride on the thoroughbred Chasing Great, previously ridden by Shenae Lowings, competing in the 2*.
Emma Bishop also has a new ride this year in Bobby Dazzler. Previously competed at 4* level by the Emma’s past boss Heath Ryan, Heath has handed over the reins to the somewhat smaller rider, but one who possesses all those fabulous skills on the flat associated with ‘Ryan riders’. Emma will be putting her toe in the water with Bobby Dazzler in the CCN1*.
As well as the higher levels, the Sydney Autumn Classic is hugely popular with riders of all levels, offering national level classes from EvA65 to EvA95. All ages are also catered for with EvA65 and EvA80 sections specifically for both Juniors and Over 50’s – what a great sport this is and thankyou to our lovely horses who neither know nor care what age we are!
