Few weekends on the Australian eventing calendar carry the same sense of tradition as the Melbourne International Three Day Event.
Each June long weekend, Werribee Park becomes a hub of world‑class sport, drawing big crowds who line the cross-country course and fill the stands for dressage and show jumping. It’s an event riders mark on their calendars year after year and one that blends history and prestige with a winter buzz that only Melbourne can deliver.
This year’s edition once again promises depth, quality and a fiercely contested top class. The premier class, the Pryde’s EasiFeed CCI4*-L has attracted a strong field of established names and rising combinations, all looking to make their mark on one of Australia’s most popular and iconic three‑day events.
Among them is Queensland’s Matt Gaske, returning to Melbourne for the first time in seven years and stepping up with Leads the Way for the horse’s debut at this level. For Gaske, simply being back at Werribee is something special.
“I’m super excited about going down there,” Gaske said. “It’s somewhere we always aim to be at every year. And to have a horse at that level again is exciting,” he said.
The pair arrive off the back of a confident preparation, including recent runs at Fig Tree Pocket and solid show jumping form.
While this is Leads the Way’s first CCI4* start, Gaske feels the horse is ready for the challenge.
“He’s very consistent at the 3 stars, so I think he’s all set and well prepped to be doing the 4 star this weekend at Melbourne,” he said.
For Gaske, Melbourne is also a stepping stone toward a bigger ambition…. Adelaide.
“I went to Adelaide in April just with my daughter, and I made a bit of a pact with myself and went, well, I want to get to Adelaide this time next year, and to get there, I set myself some short-term long-term goals, and this is one of those that I have to tick off,” he said.
And while Leads the Way may not be the most conventional type, Gaske believes the gelding has the heart and grit to go far.
“He’s obviously green at four star… but he doesn’t want to touch the rail, so he is careful but he does go a little bit his own way
“I think that he could be a 5 star horse… he’s giving me all the answers that he wants to be so at this stage, that’s what we’re aiming him for.”
As for the long‑term dream - Brisbane 2032 and a home Olympic Games, virtually in his backyard - Gaske is realistic but optimistic.
“I think it crosses everyone’s mind that does eventing.
“He’ll definitely have the experience to be there… at the end of the day… it’s about the heart. And for this horse… he’s got the heart to be a warrior.”
Pryde’s EasiFeed proudly supporting the CCI4*-L
Pryde’s EasiFeed is pleased to once again support the Melbourne International Three Day Event, sponsoring the feature CCI4*-L class and backing the riders and horses who make this weekend such a highlight of the season.
For Gaske, Pryde’s plays a crucial role in preparing his team, especially when travelling from Queensland to Victoria.
“With Pryde’s it starts months in advance. Prepping the horses to be in the best performance quality that we can have them in… we increase their feeds a little bit more, knowing that they’ll be traveling down there… and then once they are there it’s keeping the consistency and quality of the feed.”
That consistency, he says, is key to keeping horses settled, strong and ready to perform.
“It’s a familiarity that they can be comfortable in… and we increase their feeds with giving them a little bit more of an energy intake the day before cross-country. Pryde’s are very supportive in all the different style feeds that they do feed… and each horse, we tailor a different feed to.”
As the action unfolds at Werribee, the CCI4*-L promises to be a showcase of talent, and partnership - qualities Pryde’s EasiFeed is proud to champion.