Adelaide Equestrian Festival guaranteed nail biting finishes in all three classes today, with overnight leads in each class being held by less than a rail worth of penalties. A drizzle of rain during the final horse inspection this morning threatened to put a literal dampener on the whole day, but the weather heated up, and so too did the competition.
Tahlia Pursell and Astro NZPH jump to victory in the Racing SA CCI3*L
The Racing SA CCI3*L were first out to contest the show jumping track designed by David Sheppard, with the course proving a challenge for many. Only six combinations were free of any jumping or time penalties.
Chloe Daun and PEC Fairytale completed a fantastic weekend of eventing, with a round clear of jump penalties but adding 2.4 time – they finished in fourth place (34.3).
Olivia Shore and her off-the-track Thoroughbred Dreamcatcher were just one second over the time allowed, resulting in 0.4 of a penalty added to their dressage score to finish in third place overall (33.4) and claiming the Racing SA OTT win. “He was super; he’s been amazing all weekend, and we just had so much fun out there,” said Olivia.
Lamoza Velisha and Ophelie Van Prinseveld certainly applied the pressure to the final three riders, producing a double clear and claiming second place (32.2). “She jumped super today, I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Lamoza of her mare.
Tahlia Pursell was second last into the arena this morning, holding second place overnight. With no room for error, Tahlia and Astro NZPH produced an exceptional round, leaving all rails in place and displaying a truly beautiful performance in front of the huge Adelaide crowd. A winning performance indeed: Tahlia and Astro were ultimately victorious, claiming the CCI3*L win, the Young Rider win, and the Young Rider (Under-25) Oceania Championship victory alongside team members Charlotte Lalak (Along Comes Lucy), Lamoza Velisha (Call Me Cooley), and Georgia Elias (Silverwoods Aussie Pride).
“I’m in shock, but I’m over the moon… I just could not be happier with the result we’ve had, I’m very happy and so is he [Astro]!” said Tahlia following her win.
The Young Rider Oceania Championship Team were an absolute force throughout the competition, adding only 14.4 penalties in total to their dressage scores, finishing on a total of 105.2 ahead of Team New Zealand’s 161.2.
Australian Chef d’Equipe Hamish Cargill was thrilled with the outcome: “The result they have put together is fantastic; all of our riders finished in the top ten individually. As we look towards the future and 2032 [Brisbane Olympics], the future of Australian eventing is incredibly strong.”
Jess Somerfield and APH New Sensation claim the Horseland CCI4*S
Minimal margins for leads and rare clears followed suit in the Horseland CCI4*S too, with only two of the 18 competitors posting rounds clear of both jump and time penalties – even podium placings found a clear to be elusive.
Andrew Cooper and Ocean Eight were free of time penalties, unlike many others, but one fence down proved costly with such little wiggle room at the top, leaving them in a final podium position of third (44.6).
Sophia Hill reminded everyone of her signature show jumping style, jumping what looked to be an effortless clear with Tulara Baltango to confirm second place (43.4) and a win for the Australian Senior Oceania Championship Gold Team.
“I couldn’t be happier with Tango, he was so rideable in there and jumped amazingly… a very good boy!” said Sophia, who is about to head into another “pretty chaotic week” with a flight to the United States tomorrow, where she will then compete in the Rolex Kentucky CCI5*L with Humble Glory.
“We’re really trying to enjoy the moment,” said Sophia, who soon after we chatted enjoyed a special moment indeed, winning the Anna Savage Memorial Award for Best & Fairest Rider at Adelaide Equestrian Festival – the first Victorian to ever do so.
Sophia’s groom, Bianca Christian, also proudly claimed the Best Groom Award. “I’m very happy and excited!” said Bianca.
Jess Somerfield and APH New Sensation could spare a rail or a couple of time penalties, but definitely not both. A rail fell indeed but Jess held her nerve to keep the rest upright and chase the time down, taking the CCI4*S title with a total of 43.1, much to the excitement of her many loyal supporters waiting ringside.
Jess is not often short of words but was momentarily speechless: “It took a bit of belief from me that this horse would come in and show everyone… and gosh he has, I owe him everything. On to some pretty cool stuff in the future!”
Jess acknowledged the enormous support in her corner: “I’m so grateful to the whole team, all my people, everyone involved with this horse… I couldn’t do it without them!”
Not only did the Australian Senior Oceania Championship Gold Team claimed the win, but the Aussie Green Team took the runners-up honours. The Gold Team had only one rail to add to their cross country scores from yesterday, with Hannah Klep (Tulara Chicouve) joining team mate Sophia as the only other double clear in the show jumping phase.
“It was good, it was really good!” said Hannah. “He loves getting into that atmosphere, and he’s already an incredible jumper. I had to make sure I stayed with him and didn’t get jumped off!”
Hannah and Tulara Chicouve will be experiencing some big atmospheres again soon, with a flight to England in the next couple of weeks where they’ll base with Jonelle and Tim Price to contest the eventing circuit in a different hemisphere.
Fellow Gold Team members Samuel Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror had one rail fall. “He definitely recovered well after cross country, nice and energetic. He dragged my arms out a bit, but jumped really well! I think the team has done really, really well,” said Sam following the trans-Tasman victory.
The Australian Green Team of Andrew Cooper (Ocean Eight), Andrew Barnett (Oscar Park Deluge), Edward Darby (Dawn of the Day) and Charlee Morton-Sharp (SV Supermaxi) added four rails and 0.4 of a time penalty for a total of 157.9 ahead of New Zealand’s 196.4.
Nail-biting finish to the Adelaide International CCI5*L
An Adelaide International CCI5*L is always worth the wait, and with anticipation high and the crowd at record attendance (and excitement), the final and premier class commenced this afternoon, with ten combinations tackling the show jumping on the Gillian Rolton Main Arena.
Some early clear rounds from Yona Lloyd, Shane Rose and Emma Mason proved that it could be done.
Andrew Cooper and Sharvalley Thunder had fence three down early on, but otherwise produced a lovely round free of time penalties for third place (39.9). “He jumped super for me; I was probably a bit too relaxed into the fence to be honest, but he jumped really well and I’m happy with him, just a bit annoyed with myself!” reflected Andrew.
Oliver Barrett applied all pressure possible to overnight leader Sam Woods, delivering a faultless and classy round to complete his first ever CCI5*L competition aboard Sandhills Briar.
Sam and SS Eight Count had the tiniest of breathing room… if you could call it that. A smidge of time could be afforded, but not even one rail was in hand as he started his round. A rail in the second half (for a total of 37.6) confirmed his place as second and Oliver Barrett was left in total shock on the sidelines, as he realised the CCI5*L title was now his.
“I can’t explain the feeling right now, it’s a mixture of elation, relief… I don’t know, it’s just pretty surreal!” he said. He and Sandhills Briar finished on 35.4.
Oliver joins the CCI5* honour roll as the second Barrett family member, aboard a second Sandhills horse to do so. His father Craig Barrett claimed the honour in 2012 aboard Sandhills Brillaire. Those Barretts sure know how to breed a winner, equine and human alike!
The Adelaide Equestrian festival wraps up its 2026 event having ticked off every item on the ultimate Eventing checklist: exceptional sport, nail biting finishes, huge crowds, wonderful vibes, an incredible venue… and a sneak peek into the very bright future of Australian Eventing.
