Look out for Emma Bishop, who led the 2019 Aus3DE CCI5* after dressage, in the Start Box at Denman
An Eventful Life will be filming all competitors on cross country at
Denman Horse Trials 2020 - find out more here
Denman Horse Trials in New South Wales will be the first cab off the ranks in the resumption of eventing competition in Australia
The event, which takes place at Denman in the Upper Hunter Region, about 250 kilometres north of Sydney, is scheduled to run on 11th & 12th July with classes from CNC1*-S down to EvA45. The organisers also have a back-up date of 25th & 26th July available but are hopeful that the it will be ‘all systems go’ for the 11th & 12th July
Gordon Bishop and his team are busy putting together the event that has been named ‘Flight of the Phoenix’ and they are keen to see competition get underway again in a Covid-19 safe environment. It seems that competitors are keen to get out there again too, with maximum entries of 200 already full and 100 on the waitlist
It may be a small event but some big names will be helping out.
UK-based Australian Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan, who was in the area when lockdown was brought in and is still there, will be judging while Gordon’s brother-in-law, 5* rider and wordsmith Hamish Cargill will providing the commentary. It will be a real family affair with Gordon and Hamish’s wives, two more top class Australian riders, Emma Bishop and Bols Armstrong, also helping out (you may well see them manning the Start Box, so literally re-starting competition!)
Locally based technology company Cross Country App, which is used by eventing riders around the world, are providing the course maps online so that riders don’t need to use printed maps and An Eventful Life will be there filming all riders on cross country so that those unable to attend will be able to view the event virtually
The timetable will be finalised after entries close but there will be changes to how the event schedule normally runs. Local riders may be asked to ride their dressage and show jumping early on Saturday and then return on Sunday and camping will be restricted to those who live more than 80km from the event.
Other areas are being scrutinised to meet Covid-19 requirements but, as Gordon says, ‘There will be some restrictions and different measures in place but there is a very good feeling at the moment with everyone keen to get back to it and people realising how much they’ve missed it. Hopefully, that feeling will last!’
If you are interested in helping at the event as a volunteer, Denman is keen to hear from you so please get in touch through their Facebook group
