Showjumping is an Olympic discipline recognised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and Sydney Royal has long been acknowledged as a breeding ground for international competitors.

The judges are looking at both horse and rider, assessing skill, accuracy and training. Professional riders compete in the Open Competitions whilst Junior, Amateur and Pony Club sections remain separate.

In each class horse & rider must jump a course of 10-13 jumps, including some oxers – a jump with two rails that may be set even or uneven. The Grand Prix event sees the best horse and rider combinations required to jump up to 1.60 metres!

Horse competitions and events have been a part of our Shows since the first one in 1823 when a prize was awarded for best colonial-bred stallion. Since then, the competition has grown in classes, size, and prestige, and is now recognised as one of the largest in Australia.

The beauty and spectacle of horses in competition is a sight not to be missed. Every day of the Show you can see the magnificent equines judged on presentation, movement and manners, whilst the riders are assessed on position, presentation and effectiveness of aids.

Highlights of the Sydney Royal Horse Show include the Col A V Pope Best Gelding Hack over 15hh and the F L Crane Best Mare or Filly Hack over 15hh, along with the Champion Multiple Turnout featuring Heavy Horses and heritage horse drawn vehicles. Returning to the 2025 Show is the popular Fancy Dress Class, open to young riders 5yrs and under 15yrs.

Combining the two traditional sports of polo and lacrosse, Polocrosse is a fast-paced team sport focussed on getting the ball between the goal posts using a racquet head on a cane, whilst riding on horseback.

Polocrosse originated in NSW in 1939 and is an incredibly competitive sport. With only three players per team there’s nowhere to hide and plenty of skilful speed is required.

Junior Polocrosse teams will compete in four display matches to be held in the Schmidt Arena, showcasing the home-grown sport that is now played around the world.

Pony Club Competitors are the grass-roots of the equestrian world and Sydney Royal is pleased to welcome Pony Club NSW members to the Show. With approximately 13,000 members across NSW, Pony Club NSW works to encourage horsemanship and sportsmanship.

Members under the age of 17 compete in Individual Riding Classes, Pair of Riders, Teams Showjumping, Teams Sporting and Teams of Four Riders. Classes are judged on riding ability, manners and paces of the horse, turnout, teamwork and accuracy.

Galloping around the course, riders use medieval ‘weaponry’ to attack targets, requiring an exceptionally high level of accuracy. Skill at Arms is incredibly exciting to watch, drawing comparisons with ancient cavalry sports.

A cavalry sport with ancient origins, Tentpegging is one of only ten equestrian disciplines officially recognised by the International Equestrian Federation. The Australian Light Horse used Tentpegging as a training exercise during World War 1 and have been demonstrating Tentpegging at Royal Shows as far back as the 1930’s.

The competition is fierce, as four riders in a team gallop in unison to gather pegs in the ground using a sword or lance.