Megan and Jester at the Australian International 3 Day Event 2011 Photo: Toni-anne Collins
The sad news is that one of Australia’s favourite horses, the 19 year old Kirby Park Irish Jester won’t be competing in the Australian International 3 Day Event on his home turf in Adelaide this week.
Jester, the home bred horse who won Olympic silver in Hong Kong with Megan and was ranked the number one event horse in the world in 2008 has had a slight muscular problem in the lead up to the event and, although it is only a minor matter, Megan feels that it is better not to compete on the tough 4* track.
“It’s sad not to finish his 4* career by competing at our home event” said Megan, who is based at Hahndorf, just 30 minutes from Adelaide “But it would break my heart if anything happened to him”
Instead Jester will be visiting the event each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to meet his fans and be farewelled from top level competition.
“He may compete in some Exhibition Eventing or similar type of events” said Megan “But this is the end of his 4* career”
In 2005 Jester won the 4* in Adelaide, stepping in as a replacement for Megan’s then top ride, Kirby Park Irish Hallmark who had suddenly died at the age of 14 after being bitten by a spider just two weeks before the event. It was a traumatic time but Jester stepped up to win Megan’s first 4*event and the pair have not looked back since.
It will be a fitting tribute to Jester at the Adelaide event this week and a great chance to enjoy a moment with one of Australia’s true equine superstars
Megan and Jester - a special partnership Photo: Toni-anne Collins
