The 2026 New Zealand Three-day Event returns to Taupo on 14th-17th May, following last year’s event at McLeans Island, Christchurch. Sponsored by Taupō Equestrian Supplies, the national titles will be keenly contested at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Taupō, with competitors from throughout New Zealand hoping to catch the selectors eyes as well as win a top title.
Last year’s winner of the Wills Trophy for the CCI4*L, Carys McCrory, from Hawkes Bay, riding Nemesis, will be defending her title. Recently returned from Adelaide, where they were members of the New Zealand team at the Oceania Championships, they are in top form, being the only combination there to complete the cross-country in the CCI4*S inside the optimum time.
Other members of that team competing at Taupō will be Aucklander Bridie Quigley on Oranoa Greyson, and South Islander Rebecca Wardle on Dingmac Eccles. However the very experienced former international Donna Edwards-Smith on DSE Gotta Dash is sure to be very competitive, so there is all to play for.
The NRM CCI3*L has attracted a quality field, including Amanda James (nee Pottinger) with four horses, all well performed in leadup events. A former winner of the top title riding Just Kidding, who she subsequently took to England, ‘Muzi’ is now a young mother living in the Manawatu. She has a total of six horses entered, so will be very busy.
Donna Edwards-Smith has the promising Baloubert TMS entered in this class, while the current Young Rider champion, Mackenzie Marlo, also back from Adelaide, rides DSE Presley. The Junior Rider champion, Zara McDonald, is contesting the Fiber Fresh CCI2*L on Day Walker, who is proving to be the ultimate schoolmaster.
Course Designer for the CCI3* and 4*L classes this year is John Holmes, from Hastings, who will bring fresh ideas, having attended an international workshop on course designing in Melbourne last year. Campbell Draper, Putaruru, returns as the designer of the CCI2* and 1*L classes. Both are former successful top level eventers, who are now making their mark as Course Designers.
The Technical Delegate is Neil MacKenzie Hall, from Tauranga, who is a member of the FEI Eventing Committee and highly regarded internationally. Overseas members of the ground juries are Heather Buckland and Elaine Green, both from Australia, so it will be refreshing for the riders to have new adjudicators watching them.
Non-championship classes at the lower levels has resulted in a big entry of over 200 horses. Dressage takes place on Friday, along with the showjumping for the non-championship classes. Saturday is cross-country day for all classes, and the four title classes, run under FEI rules, will showjump after the veterinary inspection on Sunday.
The NZ Warmblood Association NZ Young Event Horse Championship will also be judged on Sunday morning, and has attracted a quality field of 4 and 5 year old horses hoping to impress with their potential. They perform a short dressage test before jumping a mix of cross-country and showjumping fences, then a short gallop precedes a conformation inspection. This provides an ideal shop window for breeders, often resulting in sales to overseas interests as well as local buyers.
Virginia Caro