Teaches nationally

Donna and Elise teach nationally reaching a wide demographic, giving back to their sport & youth

Sportsmanlike

Donna & Elise are renowned for both being extremely sportsmanlike & professional riders on the local circuit. They are often seen helping others, walking courses & warming up fellow competitors.

Since forming DSE Donna & Elise have been fully dedicated to leaving a positive imprint on event riders here in New Zealand, through encouragement, support and mentoring they strive to inspire their team into not only becoming  international level athletes, but also being great people at the same time too.

Largest eventing team in nz

DSE runs the largest eventing team in NZ.  We have about 30 horses on our property, and compete 6 of them at each event,  plus we have our extended team which includes our current and past groom interns with their own horses.

Waerenga Equestrian

DSE are based in the picturesque valley of Waerenga, Te Kauwhata in the Waikato, New Zealand. Alongside riding event horses, Donna and Elise run the family’s 500 acre dry stock farm. This can actually be quite a useful contrast of environments as they combine their stock work with mustering on their young horses which teaches them vital quick and solid footwork skills, and also keeps them earning their keep!

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Prolific Producer

Producer of over 30 upper-level horses. Donna has produced many, many horses to advanced level, such as Balmoral Sensation, Call Me Clifton, DSE Cluny, DSE Tangalooma, DSE Mr Hokey Pokey, Henton Executive, Just Chocolate to name a few!

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DSE Team

“We are only as good as the Team behind the scenes that support us.” 

Thanks to all the people behind the scenes, you know who you are!

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Home

Welcome to Donna Smith Eventing!

Donna & Elise Edwards-Smith are based in the picturesque valley of Waerenga, Te Kauwhata in the Waikato, New Zealand. At Donna Smith Eventing our aim is to represent New Zealand at the Olympics and World Equestrian Games. To enable this we have built a business based around coaching, horse schooling & competing and preparing quality event horses for sale both in New Zealand and Internationally.

DSE Team

Donna

Donna Edwards-Smith has been a force to be reckoned with in the eventing world since a young age and she has never looked back…

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Elise

Elise Edwards-Smith has become a key part of Donna Smith Eventing and has brought a wealth of experience to the team.

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Owners

A big thanks to all DSE owners who have invested their time and effort helping achieve our dreams and sustainable long term success!

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Sponsors

The following businesses and individuals have committed to assisting Donna & Elise in their quest to be the best in their field and for that they are extremely grateful. Their support is a true asset and we encourage you check out their businesses and websites so as you too can benefit from the products and expertise they offer!

“Our ambitions and goals are high, but we are dedicated to reach them, without our team of workers, owners, sponsors, supporters, family and friends, success would not be possible!”

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Recent News

Testimonials

We became involved in eventing as a consequence of needing to find a meaningful activity for  my retiring racehorses, hence we met Donna Smith. Donna has ridden a number of my horses for the last six years. Donna is an outstanding rider and horsewoman with great skill, ability and experience but also great patience and tolerance which enables her to take very difficult horses and turn them into champion eventers. We are very proud to be part of Donna's team and I have been dubbed "Showtime Grandma" for looking after the troupe at events, providing meals, a warm place to rest and a small tipple at the end of the day.
We will continue to support Donna and hopefully be with her as she gains more international recognition and titles as fitting for a rider of her class. I think Donna's win on my horse Cluny in the CCI1* at Kihikihi was outstanding in the circumstances, and I thank Donna so much for that.

Gaye McClunie

“Donna’s attitude is always professional, not only with her dealings with the horses she produces and rides, but also in the way she deals with officials and her fellow competitors. I regard her ability as a rider and competitor with great respect.”

4* dressage judge

Anne Tylee

Donna Smith has been riding for Henton Lodge Hanoverians for a number of years.  From CCI*** with Henton Executive to newly broken three year olds.  We have always found Donna to be very professional both on and off a horse, she is a very skilled and experienced horsewoman, especially in the discipline of horse trials.  We would highly recommend Donna, and have done so, to any prospective owners.  We look forward to working with Donna to produce our horses for many years to come and the ever smiling face is always welcoming. Dave and Bridget Sutton www.hentonlodge.co.nz

Henton Lodge Hanoverians

“Donna is recognised on our Future Potential Recognition group which are talented kiwi riders capable of producing high performance horses. It is out of this future potential recognition group that we hope to see some of our high performance combinations of the future.”

NZ HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR

Sarah Dalziell-Clout 

Donna Smith is an international event rider and trainer who rode for New Zealand at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. One of the most sportsmanlike and professional riders on the local circuit, Donna has produced many, many horses to Advanced level.
A former champion show jumper at Young Rider level, Donna is the current National 3* 3DE Champion, with her home-produced thoroughbred Balmoral Tangalooma. She is also the current National One-Day Champion with her and Sarah Varley's Just Chocolate.
Donna was based in the US for seven years with Olympic gold medalist David O'Connor, but is now based at her parents' Waerenga property, where she runs her successful business.

NZ Horse & Pony Magazine