Top Field Lines up for Adelaide 5*

Donna Edwards-Smith rides DSE Mendoza. File Photo. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Waerenga eventer Donna Edwards-Smith is relishing the chance to once again line up against some of Australasia’s best at this weekend’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*.

She and her 16-year-old thoroughbred DSE Mendoza were third in the 5* last year and also have wins in the 4*-L at Puhinui and 4*-S at Matamata to their credit, as well as second in the 4*-S at the Defender Horse of the Year recently. He’s been hugely consistent for Donna.

“The horse really deserves to do another 5*,” she says. “Everyone knows he is not a dressage queen but he is a jumper and would be the most honest horse I have ever had the pleasure to ride cross country. He is phenomenal.” Donna and Mendoza stayed with Aussie eventing Olympian Megan Jones before heading to the event. “They have been amazing,” she said.

In preparation for Adelaide, Donna says she and Mendoza have been working on their showjumping with Toni and Colin McIntosh. “My aim is to finish on our dressage score – whatever that may be. I want to keep him as soft as I can. He really is working so well now.”

She feels grateful to be able to travel to Adelaide and compete against some top combinations. “A lot of the New Zealand pool have moved north so it is awesome to be competing against a lot of good riders here,” she said. “It is amazing we have access to a 5* in the Southern Hemisphere.

It’s a star-stacked field with defending champ David Middleton in aboard his 2024 winner WEC In the Money and WEC In the Breeze. Previous winner Shane Rose has two on the card in The Bandit and Matrixx, along with three-time winners Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford also lining up.

“Mendoza is feeling as good as we can get him I think,” says Donna. “I’m keen to see how he fits into a field like this.”

The first horse inspection for the Adelaide International CCI5* is on Thursday afternoon, followed by the dressage on Friday, the Mike Etherington-Smith designed cross country on Saturday – running through the city centre – and winding up with the showjumping on Sunday.

As well as her third in the 5* last year with Mendoza, Donna has also competed at the top-ranking event with Tangalooma and Mr Hokey Pokey. Paris Olympian Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation were the last Kiwis to win the 5* at Adelaide with their 2017 triumph, with Mathew Grayling and Revo winning in 2001 and Nick Larkin aboard Red taking out the main class in 1997.
Rory Hamilton is the only other Kiwi competing at Adelaide. He and Magic Mike TAE will compete in the Bates Saddlery Young Rider CCI3*-L Championship. It is their first time to Adelaide but last year were top 10 in the 3*-L at Sydney.

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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photo by Libby Law/ESNZ

30th April 2025