New Zealand teams may not have come home with the silverware from the Oceania Championships at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival but for chef d’equipe Lizzie Brown the gains made across the week run far deeper than just the result sheets.

New Zealand fielded teams in both the CCI3*-L young rider and CCI4*-S senior competitions, with individual competitors in both, as well as the CCI5* – the only 5* in the Southern Hemisphere and one of just six globally.

There were some real stand-out moments from the riders across the tests, including Madison Seivwright and Waitangi Pinterest notching the sixth highest dressage score at Adelaide since 2008, team rider Carys McCrory and Nemesis the only combination to come home clear and inside time in the CCI4*-S cross country and just the fourth to do so in the last 100 starters at the event, and going on to place seventh overall, and team rider Tessa Bradcock and Ceremony placing sixth in the CCI3*-L, with teammate Bridie Quigley and Oranoa Greyson placing 10th.

ESNZ high performance eventing NZ manager and chef d’equipe Lizzie Brown said it had been a very successful mission to Australia, despite not winning. “It was an awesome first trip across the Tasman for many of these riders,” she said, “and has made them hungry for more.” The value of trans-Tasman competition could not be undervalued. “It is a real privilege for us to come here and for the riders to represent New Zealand with a full support team. It is a big week, and nothing like competing on your own horse. That in itself is a learning.”

The HP programme had a big focus on team events where riders learnt another side to competition. “Representing New Zealand isn’t just about riding your horse well” said Lizzie. “It’s about how you show up across the week – how you prepare, how you behave when things don’t go to plan and how you contribute to the team. When teammates do well, we celebrate with them. That is what we came to practise, just like any other part of performance.”

The Kiwis had been treated extremely well at the event. “They couldn’t have done more to make us feel welcome,” said Lizzie. “This really is a world class venue and event, and one that is extremely complex given it is being run through a city.”

The break down . . .

Racing SA CCI3*-L
🐴 Tessa Bradcock and Ceremony (team) – 6th 35.8 penalty points
🐴 Fabriana McQuarrie and Oceanic (team) – 20th 53.8 penalty points
🐴 Scout Lodder and Overnight Success (team) – 27th 71.6 penalty points
🐴 Bridie Quigley and Encore (team) eliminated cross country
🐴 Mackenzie Marlo and CHS Diplomat – 18th 52.3 penalty points
🐴 Holly McInnes and Pop It – 21st 54.4 penalty points

“These young women did very well,” said Lizzie. “This is a young group in a genuine development phase. They rode with intent, and more importantly they now understand what this type of competition demands.”
The standard in Adelaide is strong. “We have the top Australian riders who all base here, with some eyeing World Champs later in the year. We have to do these trips and experience it and see the horsepower they have.” She felt the group had done New Zealand proud. “They rode their socks off and would have learnt a lot.

Horseland CCI4*-S
🐴 Carys McCrory and Nemesis (team) – 7th 51.4 penalty points
🐴 Bridie Quigley and Oranoa Greyson (team) – 10th 57.3 penalty points
🐴 Rebecca Wardle and Dingmac Eccles (team) – 18th 89.3 penalty points
🐴 Emily Cammock and Zealand Blue HS – eliminated cross country
🐴 Charlotte Penny and Carousal (team) – eliminated cross country

“To have two in the top 10 was just brilliant,” said Lizzie. “Our senior team is an under 25 on their young rider horses, up against the top Australians. I think a huge highlight for many of our riders was warming up alongside the Australian A squad. As a rider it really lifts your game to ride against these guys, walk course with them and just ask questions. They were all so friendly and we had lots of time to mingle and get to know them. These are relationships that our riders will have for their careers.”

Adelaide International CCI5*
🐴 Madison Seivwright and Waitangi Pinterest – 5th 45.4 penalty points

The Kiwi combo led after the dressage with 27 penalty points, placing her in the top six scores at Adelaide since 2008. She added a few time in the cross country to move to second but three rails over the David Sheppard-designed showjumping course today saw them slip to fifth with a final score of 45.4 penalty points. “She is just a dream,” said Madison of her 18-year-old mare. “The biggest takeaway from this weekend for me is how much she still loves her job still. “Her dressage test was beautiful. She is so consistent on the flat and you know what you are going to get. Dressage tests are fun to ride on her now.”

Madison will have “a bit of a regroup” to decide what their future looks like. “She is getting a bit older so I need to make a plan that suits her.”

Lizzie worked closely with Madison all weekend. “Highlights for me were their dressage and cross country,” said Lizzie. “It was a little disappointing in the showjumping, but Maddy owned that. The mare is an absolute legend . . . she tries so hard and it is such a brilliant partnership. It is beautiful to watch.”

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
21st April 2026