With a mix of proven performers, rising stars, and in-form combinations, the stage is set for four days of top-level competitions in the heart of Adelaide.
New champion to be crowned
With reigning four-time champions Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford not returning to defend their title, the 2026 CCI5*L will see a new winner crowned.
Among those leading the charge is Jess Somerfield and Finch Farm Carpentaria who finished in an impressive fourth at last year’s five-star.
Shane Rose and Holy Moses, along with Sam Jeffree and Santoro, will head into the event with confidence after recent CCI4*S victories. Rose and Holey Moses claimed Canberra CCI4*S, while Jeffree and Santoro won both Tonimbuk and Wandin CCI4*S.
Other top contenders include David Middleton and WEC in the Breeze and Andrew Cooper with Sharvalley Thunder, who both contested last year.
Oliver Barett will contest the level with two exciting combinations in Sandhills Gem and Sandhills Briar, the latter claiming the CCI4*L at Sydney in 2025.
Strong competition in the CCI4*S
The CCI4*S is equally competitive, with Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture leading a quality field. The experienced pair come into Adelaide in outstanding form after winning Tamworth CCI4*S and will be strong contenders once again. They have of course won the CCI4*S at Adelaide already in 2023 and 2024, and will be looking for a historic third win this year. The duo is also part of the Australian Senior squad taking on New Zealand in the Oceania Championships.
Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango – runners-up in the CCI4*S last year – will be aiming to go one better, while combinations such as Sam Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror, who finished third in the CCI5*L last year, will add further strength to the class.
Rising talent will also be on display, with several combinations stepping up to the level and looking to make their mark against more established competitors.
CCI3*L: The next generation steps up
The CCI3*L field offers an exciting glimpse into the future of Australian eventing, with a large and diverse group of combinations set to tackle the long format.
Experienced names such as Shane Rose and Yona Lloyd will line up with a mix of emerging and established combinations.
Georgia Elias and Silverwoods Aussie Pride, Charlotte Lalak and Along Comes Lucy, Tahlia Purcell and Astro NZPH, and La’Moza Velisha and Call Me Cooley will all be looking to produce super results not just for themselves but as part of Australian Under-25 team for the Oceania Championship against New Zealand.
Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds shine
Off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTs) continue to be a defining feature of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, with 16 lining up across the CCI4*S and CCI3*L classes.
Bold Venture headlines the group, having already claimed multiple wins at Adelaide and represented Australia at championship level. The combination’s consistency and experience make them one of the standout partnerships of the event.
Emerging combinations such as West Australians Charlee Morton-Sharp and SV Supermaxi highlight the versatility and success of Thoroughbreds transitioning from the racetrack to elite eventing.
A must-watch event
From elite five-star competition to the next generation of talent coming through the ranks, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival continues to cement its place as one of Australia’s premier equestrian events.
With a new CCI5*L champion guaranteed, a strong OTT presence, and key combinations building form ahead of FEI World Championship selection opportunities, all eyes will be on Adelaide this April.
Racing SA CCI3*L:
Georgia Bradford — CASSIO XTREME
Georgia Bradford — SWEET COUTURE
Georgia Elias — SILVERWOODS AUSSIE PRIDE
Charlotte Wilson — MONTALTO II
Tessa Bradcock — CEREMONY
Scout Lodder — OVERNIGHT SUCCESS (OTT)
Fabriana Mcquarrie — OCEANIC
Bridie Quigley — ENCORE
Stacey Briggs — MARENGO VALENTINO
Bronte Bravo — CARISBROOKE SHOWTIMEN (OTT)
Kate Ingham — ASTI HERA
Mackenzie Marlo — CHS DIPLOMAT
Tessa Sharman — CUBA RL
Jayden Coates — BALOU DU CUBA
Holly Mcinnes — POP IT (OTT)
Olivia Shore — DREAMCATCHER (OTT)
Ruby Gorton — BLAZING DJANGO (OTT)
Luke Jones — SPIRIT (OTT)
Tahlia Pursell — ASTRO NZPH
Emma Hercules — BALLAHOWE WILDSIDE
Yona Lloyd — MISCHIEF MANAGED TO DAY
Lamoza Velisha — OPHELIE VAN PRINSEVELD
Lamoza Velisha — CALL ME COOLEY
Niki Rose — DREAMRUSH
Sophie Fox — KANDOO
Shane Rose — LIMITLESS LODGE ZSA ZSA
Shane Rose — COOLEY ALL OVER
Hannah Klep — KENLOCK SANDRO SKY
Olivia Thompson — SPUDHOFF (OTT)
Jaimie Stichel — HIGHFIELD CHIQUITAS CHICO
Kaitlin Teichert — QUEEN B II
Chloe Daun — PEC FAIRYTALE
Megan Jones — CADELLO MPH
Isobel Stevens-Menzie — AZARAX (OTT)
Riley Lyall — GI CARAMBA
Sam Woods — ELIVA BARNABY
Charlotte Lalak — ALONG COMES LUCY
Charlotte Lalak — FAIRBANKS CASINO
Jessica Grosmann — CIL DARA DEXTER
Horseland CCI4*S:
Andrew Barnett — OSCAR PARK DELUGE
Andrew Barnett — CHASING GREAT (OTT)
Andrew Cooper — OCEAN EIGHT (OTT)
Bridie Quigley — ORANOA GREYSON
Carys McCrory — NEMESIS (OTT)
Charlee Morton-Sharp — SV SUPERMAXI (OTT)
Charlie Richardson — REMINGTON HILL (OTT)
Charlotte Penny — CAROUSAL
Edward Darby — DAWN OF THE DAY
Emily Cammock — ZEALAND BLUE HSH
Hannah Klep — TULARA CHICOUVE
Jess Somerfield — APH NEW SENSATION
Kenya Wilson — SANDROS SALUTE MW
Molly Barry — IMPULSIVE WAYS (OTT)
Rachelle Verma — SANDHILLS CRYSTELLA
Rebecca Wardle — DINGMAC ECCLES
Riley Lyall — GI WAR MACHINE (OTT)
Samuel Fasher — ANGELINA GOLD
Samuel Jeffree — WIMBORNE CONJUROR
Shenae Lowings — BOLD VENTURE (OTT)
Sophia Hill — TULARA BALTANGO
Zachary Thorne — WU GOK (OTT)
Adelaide CCI5*L:
David Middleton — WEC IN THE BREEZE
Andrew Cooper — SHARVALLEY THUNDER
Oliver Barrett — SANDHILLS GEM
Oliver Barrett — SANDHILLS BRIAR
Madison Seivwright — WAITANGI PINTEREST
Yona Lloyd — BALLAHOWE AYURVEDIC
Shane Rose — HOLY MOSES
Jess Somerfield — FINCH FARM CARPENTARIA
Gemma O’Leary — ARNAGE PORSCHE
Emma Mason — KPH KINGFISHER
Samuel Jeffree — SANTORO
Tara Rogers — DENISON PARK SMOOTH
Sam Woods — SS EIGHT COUNT
