Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture. Photo by Alex Jeffery.
Entries have just been released for the second CCI5* of the 2025 season, taking place at Adelaide’s Equestrian Festival May 1-4 in the southern parts of South Australia. This is perhaps the most unique 5* on the annual calendar, taking place literally in the heart of the city of Adelaide (the cross country even has portions that take place on roped off streets that have had footing laid down for safe passage!), and the crowds that gather to take in the spectacle are large, enthusiastic, and ready to have a good time.
This year, we’re so excited to be getting our first in-person taste of eventing Down Under, through the lens of the one and only Atalya Boytner. She’ll be trekking down to Australia straight after Kentucky (because, like all of us, she’s insane) and bringing us some visuals and reporting from this very special event.
For now, let’s take a look at the 5* field, which is a pretty strong one this year with 21 entries topping off the headlining division, as well as entries in the CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L and the Bates Saddles Young Rider Championship.
There are quite a few names most eventing fans will recognize on the list, which can be viewed in full here.
David Middleton takes Adelaide glory in 2024 aboard WEC In the Money. Photo courtesy of Adelaide Equestrian Festival.
First up is our 2025 Adelaide 5* champion, David Middleton, who took home the glory last year aboard WEC In the Money — fun fact, this came 20 years after David did his last 4*, when he finished 9th at Adelaide in 2004. This year, David’s bringing back both his winner and the horse he came in eighth with last year, WEC In the Breeze. These are both super jumping horses with extensive experience at the 4* level, not to mention the added fitness and strength from reaching that 5* pinnacle last year.
Four-time Olympian Shane Rose has two horses stepping up to the level, succeeding his great and now-retired partner Virgil as ones to watch ahead of the FEI World Championships in Aachen next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Remember, Australia is also getting a home turf Games in 2032, in Brisbane, so these riders will also be keenly producing horses with the broader picture in mind as well.
Shane has entered both The Bandit and Matrixx this year as their debut at the 5* level. The Bandit, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, has never finished outside of the top 10 since he moved up to the 4* level last year, and neither has Matrixx, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. Both horses have some strength and development to build on the flat, averaging mid-30s marks, but they each have strong jumping records at FEI events and should be well-suited to this next step in their career trajectories.
OTTB power! Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture make their World Championship debut in 2022. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
World Championships rider (2022) and Paris Olympic substitute Shenae Lowings has also returned to her home country with her Thoroughbred gelding, Bold Venture. Since this pair has prioritized Championships over the last few seasons, this will actually be their first 5* start together, and Shenae’s debut at the level as a rider. This pair is literally traveled the world to gain experience in preparation for this step up, competing at the likes of CHIO Aachen in Germany, Millstreet in Ireland, and Arville in Belgium.
Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford. Photo by Julie Wilson.
Another World Championships (2022) competitor also features on the list in Hazel Shannon with Willingapark Clifford, who are another pair who have won here at Adelaide before, taking the 5* title in 2018. Hazel and Clifford have also competed in Europe extensively, starting but not completing both Badminton and Pau and also finishing 26th at Kentucky in 2019. They’ve got a ton of experience together at this point in their career, and with Willingapark Clifford’s prowess on the flat they could set sail on this field and never look back en route to another title.
Andrew Cooper knows this property like the back of his hand at this point as he approaches his 10th time starting the 5* at Adelaide. He’s finished quite well here just about every time, even hitting the podium a few times. He’s brought back Hey Arnold, a horse that’s finished in the top 10 twice at Adelaide’s 5* before, as well as a 5* debutant horse in Sharvalley Thunder, a 12-year-old Australian horse who’s got a hefty amount of strong placings and wins at the 4* level en route to this event.
Third at Adelaide last year was stalwart campaigner Donna Edwards-Smith and DSE Mendoza, back for another run and a shot at the top spot on the podium. U.S. fans may recognize Donna’s name as a former Kentucky competitor, coming over with her former horse Call Me Clifton in both 2004 and 2006.
Also a former podium finisher (2023) with Humble Glory, Sophia Hill is another rider who’s competed in Europe, finishing 22nd at Burghley last year.
A handful of riders are also returning to the 5* level after several years away; as it so often goes with horses, you often see riders who have that one or two special horses that bring them up to the level, then they must start over in producing the next generation. It’s a warm welcome back for Sonja Johnson (last competed at Adelaide in 2013), Yona Llyod (last competed at Adelaide in 2017), and Emma Mason (last competed at Adelaide in 2011).
Rounding out our field are a handful of 5* rookies:
- Samuel Jeffree and Wimbourne Conjuror and Santoro
- Joel Funell and Airbrushed
- Gemma O’Leary and Arnage Porsche
- Jess Somerfield and Finch Farm Carpentaria
We look forward to bringing you more content than ever about Adelaide in just a couple weeks’ time, so stay tuned for more right here on EN! In the meantime, you can secure your tickets to this special event and find out more here.
