Blenheim’s GFS Saddles 8/9yo Class is the bit of the season where you can spot tomorrow’s five-star horses in real time. The brief is simple: start in the low-20s, keep the rails up in an early Saturday show-jumping, then hang on when cross-country time gets pricey. Expect a few classy nines to look polished and one or two bold eights to make a name for themselves. This episode looks at the form that usually wins here, the contenders most likely to land it, and the quieter names on our radar.

Highlights

• Conditions: Likely good-to-soft → closer dressage, expensive XC time.
• What wins: Start in the 20s, finish sub-30; true FODs here are rare.
• Show jumping: Early Saturday, <30% clear, rails move podiums.
• Contenders: Sarah Bullimore & Corimiro; Sam Lissington & Qantas R; Izzy Taylor & Barrington Alice.
• One to watch: Jenny Glebenius & Canela; Katie McGee & Cushlas Indigo.

Guests

• Nicole Brown — host
• Diarm Byrne — EquiRatings co-founder

Supported by GFS Saddles - Big thanks to GFS Saddles for backing the 8/9yo class and this episode. See them at Blenheim, and click here to learn more.