Australian Olympian William Matthew Guest Rider & Master Class

Australian Olympian William Matthew Named Guest Rider for 2027 Sydney CDI Young Horse Finals and Master Class Presenter

The Sydney CDI is delighted to announce Australian Olympian William (Will) Matthew as the Guest Rider for the 2027 NSW Young Horse Championships. Will will also present a Master Class on Sunday, 2 May, adding another exciting highlight to Australia's premier international dressage event.

Held from 28 April to 1 May 2027 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, the Sydney CDI will welcome Will back to Australia following his successful career competing at the highest level of international dressage.

There are also plans for Will to compete in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Freestyle, giving spectators the opportunity to see one of Australia's leading dressage riders in action.

From Perth Pony Club to the Olympic Arena

Will's journey to the international stage is an inspiring story of determination, opportunity and hard work.

His riding career began on leased riding school horses at a pony club in Perth. After leaving school, Will had planned to train as an electrician but decided to defer that ambition for a year to embark on an equestrian gap year in Europe at just 17 years of age.

That one year turned into more than a decade of working and riding in some of Europe's most prestigious equestrian establishments across Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. Along the way, he gained invaluable experience as a rider and trainer, progressing through the ranks to compete on the Grand Prix circuit.

For several years, Will was based in Germany, where he had the opportunity to ride for Olympic gold medallist and multiple World Champion Isabell Werth. While he no longer works with Isabell, they have maintained a good relationship and continue to have some business dealings together.

Since becoming self-employed in early 2025, Will has established his own training and competition operation. He typically has between nine and twelve horses in training at any one time, all of which he competes himself. Some are produced for competition results and eventual sale, while others are his own horses, which he is developing patiently through the levels with a longer-term view.

A career highlight came in 2024 when Will represented Australia at the Paris Olympic Games aboard Mysterious Star, a horse he had personally trained since acquiring the horse as a five year old. Their consistent performances at Grand Prix level secured their place on the Australian team, where they competed alongside Jayden Brown and Simone Pearce, finishing 10th overall.

Continuing to Compete at the Highest International Level

Will has continued to build on his Olympic experience and is currently competing successfully on the international circuit with his top horse, Faye 43.

The pair have been competing at major international shows across Europe, including the CDIs at Hagen and Rotterdam. In August 2026, Will and Faye 43 proudly represented Australia at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, marking another significant milestone in Will's international career.

His ongoing success in developing and competing horses at the highest level makes him an exciting choice for the Sydney CDI Young Horse Championships. His experience in producing horses from a young age through to international Grand Prix competition will provide valuable insight for the finalists and spectators alike.

An Exciting Opportunity for Young Horse Finalists

The Young Horse Championships provide an important platform for showcasing the next generation of dressage talent, and having Will Matthew as Guest Rider will be a fantastic opportunity for the finalists.

Qualifying rounds will take place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 April, with the winner and runner-up in each age group (4, 5, 6 and 7-year-olds) from Round 2 progressing to the Finals.

The Finals will be held in the Indoor Arena on Saturday 1 May, from approximately midday, where Will will ride the selected finalists and provide his expert assessment.

Will Matthew Master Class – Sunday 2 May

The opportunity to learn from a rider who has developed horses through to Olympic and World Championship level will be a special highlight of the 2027 Sydney CDI.

Will's Master Class will provide a valuable insight into the training, development and preparation of horses for the international arena, drawing on his extensive experience as both a competitor and trainer.

Further details of the Master Class, including ticketing and attendance arrangements, will be announced in the New Year.

Don't miss this opportunity to see Will Matthew in action and gain an insight into the training and development of horses at the highest level of international dressage.

Keep an eye on the Sydney CDI website for further programme details.