QOTT Cup Final to showcase country’s best showjumpers

By Andrew Smith

Competitors from across the country will descend on the Gold Coast this weekend for the second edition of the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final, part of the 2025 Magic Millions Carnival.

The QOTT Cup Final will form part of the Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping on Sunday, January 5, at Doug Jennings Park at The Spit.

Eighteen competitors will line up in the QOTT Cup Final after earning their spots through three qualifiers held in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria throughout 2024.

They will also be joined by two celerity exhibition riders - Zara Tindall and Ally Mosley.

Ten of the field will be horse-and-rider combinations from the Sunshine State, including three QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers in Gemma Creighton, Kylie Zabel and Danielle Hess.

Zabel will saddle up on Dusty Girl on Sunday, after missing the inaugural event in 2024.

“It’s quite exciting - you’re working towards something, you know the event’s on, you set out your goals and get the horse fit and ready for competition,” Zabel said.

“It’s been quite a difficult lead up really because we’ve had so much rain in our area, we do what we can with rides down the road, and up in the back paddock.

“But she’s pretty fit, she’s keen to go and feeling good and fingers crossed we have a lucky day.

“The horses are just athletic machines, and they thrive on the work and the competition and having a job to do and the more the public can see their capability is a great thing.”

Competition is set to be fierce with an increased prize pool of $75,000 on the line, up from $50,000 last year.

The height of the 2025 Magic Millions QOTT Cup Final has also increased from 90cm to 1.05m. 

“It’s going to be very stiff competition for sure - all these people have qualified to be there so you’re competing against the best of the best,” Zabel said.

“Everyone will be the same in the lead up, with the huge preparations to make sure everything’s on track and the horses are fit and ready to go.

“It’ll be a huge atmosphere and it’ll just come down on the day if you can keep it all together and have fun at the same time.

“It’s a privilege to compete on these wonderful off-the-trackers but with the money on top it’s just an added bonus really, if you love doing this it’s the cream on the cake.”

RQ Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said she was excited to see the return of the QOTT Cup Final at the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping.

“The QOTT Program is incredibly proud to partner with Magic Millions to present the QOTT Cup Final,” she said.

“This year marks the second running of this exceptional event, which continues to showcase the versatility, athleticism, and adaptability of retired racehorses.

“Driving demand for retired racehorses in alternative careers in their post-racing lives is a key principle underpinning the QOTT Program, with premium event partnerships like Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping complimenting the support available for all disciplines and levels of competition through the QOTT Event Sponsorship Program.

“Over the past three years, the QOTT Program has launched nine major initiatives to support racehorse aftercare in Queensland.

“The QOTT Cup Final is a proud showcase of the QOTT Program and our commitment to supporting the equestrian community, who play a major role in caring for retired racehorses for the duration of their post-racing lives.”

The full field for the QOTT Cup Final is:

• Wayne Crompton – Double Impact (Race name: Double Impact) – QLD
• Gemma Creighton – Its Macewen (Race name: Macewen) – QLD
• Paton Simpson – Port Command (Race name: Port Commands) – QLD
• Natalie Siiankoski – A Golden Alibi (Race name: A Golden Alibi) – QLD
• Nicole Willett – Quik Silver (Race name: Easy Instincts) – QLD
• Kylie Zabel – Dusty Girl (Race name: Dusty Girl) – QLD
• Danielle Hess – Lockheed Lightning (Race name: Lockheed Lightning) – QLD
• Tara Wilkinson – Monquita (Race name: Monquita) – QLD
• Anita Bridge – Genuine Princess (Race name: Maxcee) – QLD
• Hugh Buchannan – Its Bandito (Race name: Irish Bandit) – QLD
• Jim Scobie – Boomerang Cafe (Race name: Boomerang Cafe) – VIC
• Shanae Bohl-Howell – Daunies Surprise (Race name: Daunies Surprise) – VIC
• Lolita Moran – Trafalgar Twist (Race name: Fire The Boss) – VIC
• Ryan Waddell – Oscars (Race name: Oscars) – VIC
• Jessica Stalling – Beaufort (Race name: Admiral Beaufort) – NSW
• Louise Day – Amoretti (Race name: Amoretti) – NSW
• Makaylah Fenwick – Rainbow Man (Race name: Rainbow Man) – NSW
• Dakota Robertson – Meadows Maverick (Race name: Meadows Maverick) – NSW