Charlotte Edwards and Just De Manzana. Image by KAMPIC – Kerry Marshall.

Meet five-star first timer Charlotte Edwards

Inside Adelaide | Presented by RB Sellars

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By Equestrian Life

Part of the New Zealand contingent to descend on Adelaide this year, 25-year-old Charlotte Edwards says she feels “very nervous and excited” to be starting in her first five-star event.

Charlotte and her 18-year-old mare Just De Manzana, by Just De Pomme out of Northern Winfield (Skies Above), have been together since 2020. “I got contacted by the agent selling Lexi at the time, and they asked if I would be interested in trying her. I went to try her and she was absolutely perfect, so the rest is history,” explains Charlotte.

Lexi began her FEI eventing career in Australia with Simon Tainsh, who took her to four-star level before the mare was relocated to New Zealand in 2017 to compete with Jessica Woods. With Jessica in the saddle, Lexi travelled to Australia and contested Adelaide five-star in 2018 for tenth place.

Prior to purchasing Lexi, Charlotte had competed to three-star level with her first FEI eventer, Façade. “He is still with me and is rising 20 now,” she notes.  

When Lexi joined Charlotte’s team in 2020, their competition partnership began at two-star level – however within 18 months they had completed their first four-star! Charlotte and Lexi have since enjoyed a win and several placings at the level in New Zealand.

“Lexi is an amazing little mare; she has amazing dressage and show jumping but can be a bit fiery. She is so much fun on cross country, she is so brave and has so much scope… she makes it feel so easy. She is very keen on her job and wants to blast round.”

Full circle

Charlotte will contest her first ever five-star on Australian soil – and as it turns out, where she originally caught the horse bug Down Under as well.

Charlotte’s introduction to riding started at six years old when her family moved to Australia for two years. “On returning to New Zealand I got my first pony and got into Pony Club. I competed in everything I could, while focusing on mounted games until I was 13.”

It was then that Charlotte discovered eventing. “I started eventing in the summer and hunting in the winter. I love the challenge of eventing and I have been very lucky to have some amazing horses!”

There have been many people who have supported Charlotte throughout her journey to the elite end of the sport, in particular her mother Rosie Edwards. “Mum has been a huge supporter of mine,” she says.

Although Adelaide will be Charlotte’s first five-star, she’s travelled to Australia with Lexi previously for Melbourne International Three-Day Event and says the process of getting a horse across the Tasman is relatively easy.

“Lexi flies from Auckland to Melbourne on the Sunday before the event. So, on Friday we start the drive from Wellington to Auckland, then once she is in Melbourne she trucks to Adelaide. IRT makes the process very easy, and the horses travel extremely well.”

Charlotte is competing alongside three other New Zealand riders in the five-star at Adelaide this year – Diane Gilder (Your Attorney), Donna Edwards-Smith (DSE Henton For Glory and DSE Mendoza), and Madison Seivwright (Waitangi Pinterest) – and says they have all been so supportive.

“I am very nervous and excited; I feel that Lexi and I are ready, and she is feeling amazing! I have a great support team coming with me and I am really looking forward to giving my first five-star a crack!”

Published 10 April 2024. 

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