Sam Jeffree has been selected as a travelling reserve for the Australian Team for the World Equestrian Games at Aachen 2026! So very close to the pinnacle of events, Sam has his sights firmly set on continuing to compete successfully at the highest international level.
He completed his first FEI event at the age of 14, and in the years following has had exceptional success at 1*, 2**, 3*** and 4**** events on a string of very different horses. 2025 and 2026 have seen Sam stepping up to 5* level with solid performances. Sam’s dedication to his training and horsemanship shows in his consistently good results in all three phases — often leading or in the top few places after dressage to set up for success at events.
Sam Jeffree riding Koyuna Tactician – Wandin 1star 2018 – Equine Focus Photography
The Story: how Sam’s passion for eventing was ignited…
Sam’s passion for horses began early, spending his preschool years with Moffat the pony, who was eventually deemed too slow for him. 
At age 7, he joined Macclesfield Pony Club with his spirited pony Arakei. Though initially frustrated by the age limits on eventing competitions, Sam entered his first one-day event at age 8, marking the start of his eventing journey.
Over two years, he remained loyal to Arakei despite challenges, ultimately achieving consistent wins and becoming Series Champion in Interschool Showjumping.
Things started to get serious after that when Sam moved on to Parklands Whizz Kid and continued into higher levels.
Progressing to Parklands Whizz Kid (“Charlie”), Sam qualified for his first PCAV State Championships and competed annually in state horse trials until age 17. In 2012, Mighty Midget helped him step into FEI competition, including completing Melbourne Junior CCI1*. As Sam outgrew him, Jaybee Calypso joined the team in 2013, forming a highly successful partnership across Interschool, PCAV, and EA circuits.
In 2015, Sam and Calypso achieved major milestones: Grade 1 PCAV State Champions, Reserve National Interschool Champions in Advanced Dressage, and National Interschool Champions in 1-Star Eventing.
Sam Jeffree riding Jaybee Calypso at National Interschool Championships – Photo by Fiona Thompson
That same year, Sam excelled at Melbourne International Horse Trials, captained the Victorian Interschool Eventing Team, and was named Victorian Young Eventing Rider of the Year. With Northern Isaac, he continued success into 2016, while also debuting at 2-star level with Calypso and earning MERs at key events. Alongside his VCE studies, Sam focused on dressage, winning National Interschool titles in Prix St Georges and placing in Intermediate I, while also beginning to teach and ride professionally.
Sam Jeffree and Koyuna Tactician win at Wallaby Hill Horse Trials 2018 – photo by ozShotz
In 2017, Sam committed to riding full-time. With Koyuna Tactician joining the team, he enjoyed a standout year with multiple wins. The momentum continued into 2018, highlighted by a CIC1* win at Tonimbuk with Calypso and earning the Noble Spirit Young Rider Award. New horses Wimborne Conjuror and Woodmount Lolita quickly proved their value, with Lolita delivering an exceptional season at 1-star level.
By 2019, Sam had firmly established himself at higher levels.
Sam Jeffree together with Fiona Mitchell’s Woodmount Lolita, win their first CCI2* Long-Format event at Melbourne 3DE 2019
Woodmount Lolita secured multiple CCI2* wins, including a long-format victory at Melbourne 3DE, and progressed to 3-star competition, culminating in a win at the Australian 3DE as National Young Rider Champions.
Mid-year, Sam gained international experience training with Olympian Boyd Martin in the USA. New addition Santoro showed promise, while Calypso was retired after a distinguished 4-star career. By year’s end, Sam had built a strong and competitive team, with multiple horses progressing successfully through the levels.
By 2021, Woodmount Lolita had developed into an established 4-star horse, winning the National Championships at Wandin in March, before the remainder of the season was disrupted by COVID.
In 2022, Sam had four horses competing successfully at FEI international level. He was named Victorian Eventing Rider of the Year, and earned selection on the Oceania Championships Senior Team representing Australia.
His upward trajectory continued in 2023 with selection to the National High Performance Next Gen Squad, followed by a standout 2024 season, highlighted by victory in the CCI4*-L at Sydney 3DE.
In 2025, Sam progressed to the High Performance National Green Squad and made an impressive 5-star debut with both Wimborne Conjuror and Santoro, finishing inside the top 10 on both horses, including a podium finish for Wimborne Conjuror in third place.
The 2026 season has begun strongly, with both Santoro and Wimborne Conjuror identified as podium potential within the HP Green Squad. Sam claimed first and second in the 4-star class at Tonimbuk Horse Trials, followed by another 4-star win at Wandin. He earned his second senior team selection for the Oceania Championships in Adelaide, where he contributed to a team victory, and also successfully completed the CCI5*-L on Santoro, recording the fastest clear cross-country round and finishing in fourth place.
These performances have culminated in Sam and Santoro being selected as travelling reserves for the Australian Team at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, in August 2026. This marks a significant milestone in Sam’s commitment to producing horses to the highest level and presents an incredible opportunity to gain invaluable experience through the Australian World Championship campaign, including elite team training, travel to the Northern Hemisphere and international competition.
Sam will aim Santoro for either Aachen WEG or the prestigious Burghley 5 star Horse Trials, after which the plan is to base Santoro in Europe for up to 12 months, allowing Sam to make the most of this exciting opportunity!
…there is still so much more to come for Sam and the team at Jeffree Eventing, please check out our News page for the latest updates!
Want to know who else is on the team? Check out our About Us page…