Shane Rose and Virgil at Blair Castle 2017 where they won the ERM CIC3*
Shane Rose is probably heaving a huge sigh of relief that he hasn’t opted to start his eventing season in the UK this year following the multiple abandonments and cancellations of events, leaving British based riders wondering how on earth they will ever get ready for the vital selection events and 4* competitions leading up to the World Equestrian Games at Tryon later this year
Instead Shane will be competing, along with a record number of horse and rider combinations, at the TRM Australian Eventing Championships at Equestriad in Camden, NSW, this weekend. It is literally home turf for Shane as he, his wife Niki and a very good committee run this event, the biggest eventing competition in terms of numbers in Australia
More than 750 entries have been received 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games Australian team hopefuls Megan Jones and Shane himself while Equestrian Australia ‘Generation Next’ Squad members Andrew Cooper, Robert Palm and reigning Australian Eventing Champion Gemma Tinney will also add huge depth to the entry lists.
Megan Jones and Kirby Park Impress bagged the first CIC3* of the 2018 Australian eventing season at Tonimbuk Horse Trials
Wearing his ‘Event Director’ hat Shane said he was rapt with the response this year.
“It keeps growing and we actually had to put a stop on entries for the first time this year. We are really happy with the star classes. There’s a lot of depth with over 30 horses in the 3* classes and nearly 50 in the 2* and two big classes of 1* horses” says Shane “It’s good for our event and to see the depth coming through in NSW in the 1* and 2* star ranks leading into Tokyo Olympics in 2020 is a really positive sign.”
The 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medal winning rider will compete two of his major prospects across the weekend. Amongst his various rides he will start both the experienced Virgil and his homebred Swiper in the TRM CIC3* class.
“I’ve got a really busy weekend with a bunch of nice horses and Virgil which I am hoping to take to the world championships. Swiper is a nice up and coming horse and hopefully will be thereabouts in the mix come selection time. I also have a group of younger horses that I am aiming for Tokyo, they are all really promising horses for the future.”
Photo courtesy Equestriad/Stephen Mowbray
As always at Equestriad, there will be plenty happening on the sidelines.
The 1* competitors will jump under lights on Saturday evening, providing a focus point for the social activities centred around the big screen and the ever-popular SWAMP Bar will operate on Saturday night and Sunday. A few logistical changes can also be expected this weekend with the trade stands closer to the water jump “Hopefully that will be good for trade exhibitors and people that take in the hospitality we offer.”
Photo courtesy Equestriad/Stephen Mowbray
For the kids there will be face painting and jumping castles and entry is FREE for everyone. Find out more on the Equestriad FB page
We’ll be bringing you a wrap-up of the event early next week and some quick updates throughout the weekend so stay tuned ……………
