Hazel Shannon and Clifford Photo courtesy Oz Shotz Sports Photography
As the Rio Olympics draw to a close, inspired equestrian riders from all over Australia’s east coast will travel to Tamworth this weekend to compete at Tamworth International Eventing’s August competition. With over 380 entries received, a new record for the event, riders will be seeking to emulate the performances of Australia’s bronze medal winning eventing team.
“We expected our entries in the CIC3* class to be lower than usual, as many of our elite Australian based riders are currently overseas due to their Olympic campaigns, including Rio bronze medallist Shane Rose who won the Three Star class here in 2013”, Tamworth International Eventing’s President Carolyn Campbell stated. “However, our event has attracted 10 entries in the Peel Valley Machinery CIC3* class, and a total of over 60 in the international level classes. After watching our Aussie eventing team perform so well at Rio, the equestrian community is bursting with enthusiasm and we expect to see some inspired performances this weekend at AELEC.”
This weekend’s event has attracted previous winners and new competitors alike. NSW based riders Kate Taliana and Hazel Shannon have each won the prestigious Three Star class on two previous occasions, and will go head to head this weekend in Tamworth on their thoroughbreds Friday Street and Clifford. Andrew Barnett won the Two Star class in Tamworth in May, and will be stepping up to the Three Star level this weekend with his in form warmblood gelding Bradgate Park Dante.
Horses and riders will compete in three phases: Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country. The Dressage test is a display of the horse’s obedience and harmony with the rider, Show Jumping demonstrates the horse’s athleticism and training, and the Cross Country phase tests the horse and riders’ boldness, stamina and trust in each other as they negotiate a range of solid obstacles.
“The course at AELEC is wonderful as it is easy for spectators to see most of the fences from one vantage point. Each year, we add new fences to ensure the cross country phase remains fresh and challenging,” Campbell explained. “We also offer all levels possible in the sport of eventing, from 45cm classes for newcomers to the sport and young horses, right through to the elite Three Star level, where the fences are the same dimensions as those jumped at the Olympics.”
Spectator entry is free through the weekend. The cross country phase runs from 8am until 3pm on Sunday, with the higher levels competing from 10:30am.
Kate Taliana and Friday Street Photo courtesy Oz Shotz Sports Photography
