The Sydney International Horse Trials event will host both Eventing and Jumping programs. On the Eventing side the feature class is the Equestrian NSW CCI3*. This is a nominated event within the 2014 World Equestrian Games Selection Policy so you can expect to see all the riders, based in Australia, who are aiming for WEG team selection.
SIHT will also be running CCI2*, CIC2*, CCI1* and CIC1* as well as the popular Young Event Horse classes (for 4, 5 and 6-year-old horses).
On the Show Jumping side SIHT is pleased to announce that they will be holding the Greater Sydney CSI World Cup Jumping Qualifier. Other jumping highlights over the three days including the Australian Amateur Jumping Championships, Young Horse classes for 4 to 7-year-old horses plus 1.10m to 1.45m classes and Junior and Young Rider classes.
More Entertainment
For the first time there will be a public bar and café at the water pond on cross-country day.
“We want to make a centralised social hub where you can eat and drink and catch up with friends whilst watching the action,” explained Rose. “It’s a great spot on the course as you can see quite a number of jumps from this location and we will be running a shuttle to the water pond throughout the day,” added Rose.
Following the cross country there will be young rider and bareback show jumping on Saturday Evening in the indoor arena and with $1000 prize money up for grabs this is bound to be full of action and dare devil riding.
Another addition to the event is a ‘Celebrity Challenge’ on Sunday. This year the event has a theme of ‘Tribute to the Horse’. So many of the horses in equestrian sports are ex-racehorses and SIHT thought a fun way to acknowledge the versatility of these wonderful animals is to invite some of Australia’s leading jockeys to take part in a fun jumping competition. The jockeys will be teamed up with some our best eventers and jumpers. Let’s see if the riders are as versatile as their mounts!
“We are really excited to welcome some legends of the turf to the event,” says Rose “it is lovely to see the two sports coming together and we know there will be some very competitive personalities doing battle, so it should be great fun.”
The official vehicle supplier, Landrover, will be bringing out their terrapod and doing towing demonstrations throughout the weekend. For the shoppers there will be an extensive trade village.
Improved transport options
There will be a bus running from Centennial Park on Saturday and Sunday so people can commute from the city and leave the car behind. This will be an ideal option for groups who would like to enjoy the event together. Tickets for the bus can be booked along with event tickets HERE
There will be also improved transport around the venue to make the spectating easier. A shuttle bus will ferry people around the venue all weekend, so you won’t have to worry about the long hike between spectator points.
For the Kids
Once at the event the kids will enjoy the new ‘kids zone’ which will feature a jumping castle, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and even a crèche. Parents will be able to drop their kids (aged 5 -12) off for a few hours and know that they will be looked after and entertained. Equestrian Australia is will provide their educational ‘Ready Set Trot’ activities and the kids can expect a visit from ‘Gee Gee’ the mascot.
Behind the Scenes Tours
Another great opportunity at the SIHT is to take the tour through the stables, where you will meet the riders and the horses and learn what happens back stage at an international event. The behind the scenes tours include entry and parking, watching from a reserved area with a packed lunch provided, a guided cross-country course walk (Saturday) and CCI3*/World Cup show jumping course walks (Sunday). This is a great opportunity for aspiring riders and school group tours or even people considering becoming sport horse owners.
The course walk with Mike Etherington-Smith is always popular
Cross Country Guided Tour
On Saturday at 10.00am spectators can go on a free one hour cross country course walk with legendary course designer Mike Etherington-Smith and past Olympian and National Eventing Coach Wayne Roycroft, meet at the cross country start box.
Have your say
Everyone at the event will have the chance to hear the views of local and overseas officials, riders, organisers and volunteers at an open forum on Friday evening in the indoor arena. Mike Etherington-Smith, Tim Downes (GBR) will be amongst the guest speakers. Sponsored by Equestrian NSW, this is an opportunity for dialogue amongst riders, officials, volunteers and sport enthusiasts regarding the challenges, experiences and their views on the sport. Everyone is invited to attend.
The 2014 Sydney International Horse Trials promises to be their best event yet, with so much to see and do for everyone in the family. Book your tickets now!
Where: The Sydney International Horse Trials at The Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Saxony Rd, Horsley Park 2175
Directions: CLICK HERE
When: 25-27 of April
How much: General admission is $20 on Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: Buy tickets online HERE
Information: Click HERE for more details
Make sure you don't miss out on any of the reports, interviews, videos and photos from Sydney International Horse Trials by becoming a 4* member now and for an Annual membership of under $100 you will go into the draw to win a trip to the 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games!
