Australian gold at Horsley Park - Sydney 2000 Photo: Kit Houghton
Horsley Park brings back memories of one of Australia’s most exciting eventing wins – team gold at the Sydney Olympics. It is also the venue for the annual Sydney International Horse Trials which this year takes place from 26th – 28th April and is set to be bigger and better than ever. Renowned international course designer Mike Etherington-Smith is once again returning to design the 3* course while local hero Stuart Tinney is turning his hand to the 1* and 2*courses. Mike E-S says that, while similar in route and direction to last year’s course, this year’s course will require “without question, a little more riding and jumping”
An Eventful Life will be there from trot up to presentations and will also be videoing all competitors on the cross country. Over the next few weeks we’ll be bringing you previews and news leading up to the event; let’s start with a quick look back at last year
In 2012 the drama started early at the trot up with three horses sent to the holding box but all making it through
One of the favourites, Sonja Johnson and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison passed on second inspection
Shane Rose had a cracker of a dressage phase, not just leading the CCI3*, but also lying first and second in the Virgin Australia CIC2* with Virgil and Wisteria Lane respectively at the end of day one of competition
Shane was very happy with Taurus after their test, the last one of the day
On cross country day Shane and Taurus enjoyed a foot perfect performance to hold onto the lead in the CCI3*, but Emma Scott and Megan Jones are hot on his heels. Here's Emma and Mustang through the water
Having led from day one and, despite taking a couple of rails down, Shane Rose held onto his lead in the show jumping to finish the final day well ahead of Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot.
Shane and Taurus stay in the lead Photo: Main Event Photography
So what drama will unfold this year? Who is entered and who will win? Will the up and coming young guns challenge the current top riders? And, most importantly, who will win the best dressed at trot up??? We can't wait for the end of the month
AEL blogger Charlie Brister won the Best Dressed Male at Trot Up in 2012 Photo: Main Event
