Adelaide turns on the magic for 25th birthday celebration

ABOVE: The historic Victorian Park grandstand providing a scenic backdrop for Sam Jeffries and Santoro as they complete their CCI5* showjumping round.  Picture: TY MANNING

ADELAIDE’S city parklands have been once again transformed into the stage for one of the most prestigious equestrian events on the international calendar.

The Adelaide Equestrian Festival, the only five-star eventing competition in the Southern Hemisphere, returned with four days of elite competition, drawing top riders from across Australia and New Zealand to contest the three phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping—right in the heart of the South Australian capital.

This year’s event solidified its reputation and again showcased its unique setting amongst Adelaide’s iconic parklands, offering a rare opportunity to witness world-class equestrian sport in an urban environment. 

The Adelaide Equestrian Festival boasts a rich history spanning two decades, with this year marking the event’s 25th anniversary. Originally known as the Adelaide International Horse Trials, it has only missed three years due to Equine Influenza and COVID since its inaugural event in 1997.

 A pivotal figure in the festival’s legacy is the late Gillian Rolton, one of Australia’s most celebrated equestrian athletes. A double Olympic gold medallist in 1992 and 1996, Rolton was instrumental in shaping the early years of the festival. Her dedication and influence are commemorated through the naming of the main arena in her honour, ensuring her legacy continues.

ABOVE: Jess Somerfield presenting Finch Farm Carpentaria to the ground jury during the first horse inspection of the CCI5*. The combination finished in fourth place. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOVE: The Adelaide skyline creating a unique backdrop for South Australian rider Audrey Nicolai as she commences her dressage test aboard Insidious Ghost in the CCI3*. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOVE: Aliva Astana ridden by Olivia Shore in the CCI3* dressage phase. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOVE: Georgia Rhode and Cassio Extreme during their dressage phase. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

The cross-country courses at the 2025 Adelaide Equestrian Festival were designed by two highly respected professionals.

British designer Mike Etherington-Smith—renowned for his work at the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, as well as the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky—was responsible for the CCI5* and CCI4*-S layouts. His designs are known for their technical challenges and flow, demanding the highest level of skill from competitors.

The CCI3*-L course was designed by Australia’s Mick Pineo, who is recognised for crafting fair yet testing tracks at top events across the country.

The 25th anniversary of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival marked a historic moment, as Hazel Shannon and Willinga Park Clifford secured a record-breaking fourth victory in the CCI5* class.

They finished on a score of 45.9, despite one rail down in the final show jumping round. Their previous wins in 2016, 2018, and 2019 make them the first combination to achieve four titles at this event.

At 19 years old and nearing his 20th birthday, Clifford’s enduring success cements his status as one of eventing’s most iconic horses.

Olympian Shane Rose and The Bandit, who led heading into the final phase, incurred 12 jumping faults in show jumping to place second, with Samuel Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror taking third.

ABOVE: History-making winners of the CCI5*, Hazel Shannon and Willinga Park Clifford exiting the water complex. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY 

ABOVE: Shane Rose and The Bandit, a close runner up in the CCI5* class, on their way through the water for the second time. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOVE: Making easy work of the water complex , Emma Mason and KPH Kingfisher finished in sixth place in the CCI5*. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

In the CCI4*-S class, Shane Rose claimed a commanding win aboard Easy Turn. The pair led from the dressage phase with a score of 29.1, maintained their lead with a strong cross-country round despite minor time penalties, and finished with a total of 36.7.

Rose’s performance reaffirms his place among Australia’s top eventers and highlights Easy Turn as a horse to watch on the international stage.

Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango secured second place on 44.7, followed closely by Hannah Klep and Tulara Chicouve in third with 46.9. Young Tasmanian eventer Mackenzie (Kenny) Walch and Eliva Corduroy also deserve a mention for a very creditable fourth.

ABOVE: Sam Woods and SS Eight Count placed fifth in the CCI4*. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

The CCI3*-L class featured a competitive field of 34 riders, with young talent Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar emerging victorious. They completed the event on their dressage score of 29.7, delivering faultless performances in both cross-country and show jumping.

Emily Gray and Legal Chase also produced clear rounds to finish second on 32.4, while Hannah Keegan and HK Hawthorn rounded out the top three.

Barrett also claimed top honours in the Young Rider Championship, which runs within the CCI3*-L class and recognises the highest-placed riders aged 16–25. Tahlia Pursell and Astro NZPH took second, with South Australia’s Kaitlin Teichert finishing third. Teichert made an impressive Adelaide debut, climbing from eighth after dressage with a clear cross-country round and just four faults in show jumping.

ABOVE: Dual winner of the CCI3* class and the young rider award, Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOVE: Clearing the chevron during the CCI3* cross country phase is Tessa Sharman and Cuba RL. Picture: MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY

Looking ahead to 2026, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will host the prestigious Oceania Championships, a milestone for equestrian sport in the Southern Hemisphere.

In partnership with Equestrian Australia and Equestrian Sports New Zealand, the festival will have both senior and young rider divisions, with the latter appearing in Adelaide for the first time.

The Championships will feature a CCI3*-L for young riders and a CCI4*-S for senior teams, who last competed at the event in 2009.

With its unique city-based setting and status as the region’s only CCI5* event, Adelaide will offer a world-class stage for athletes preparing for upcoming World Championships and Olympic Games.

Results

View and purchase MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY images from this event

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