In the wake of cancelling Great Britain’s Badminton Horse Trials, Australia’s world renowned Melbourne International Three-Day-Event (MI3DE) will act as the deciding factor in selecting the nation’s Olympic equestrian team from Friday, 8 to Monday, 11 June 2012 at Werribee Park.
Equestrian Victoria (EV) is calling stellar equestrian talent to submit their entries to the MI3DE before this Friday, 11 May for their chance to compete against Australia’s best.
Triple Olympian and Equestrian Victoria President, Barry Roycroft said whilst Badminton’s withdrawal from the event calendar is unfortunate, opting to use the 55 year old MI3DE as the final competition to select the Australian Olympic equestrian team reflects the prestige and quality of skill on offer.
“We are excited to see the 2012 MI3DE play an increasingly major role in the 2012 Olympic team selection in lieu of Badminton. It is grassroots events similar to the MI3DE that are integral to Australia’s continual Olympic success in equestrian.
“It will be thrilling to showcase Australia’s best riders and horses at Werribee Park in the lead up to the London Olympics as the quality of competition will be at its best. We look forward to sharing the spectacle with the wider community.”
The 2012 MI3DE will provide spectators an exclusive opportunity to witness some of the highest quality riders and horse on home soil just days before the final equestrian team is selected to represent Australia at the London Olympics.The Australian equestrian team has enjoyed a long and proud history of Olympic success. The MI3DE has been the training and proving ground of past and present Olympians over the past 55 years.
The MI3DE is held at the picturesque Werribee Park precinct on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from Friday, 8 to Monday 11 June, 2012.
Entries for this year’s MI3DE close this Friday, 11 May, with final performance qualification details due for submission by Monday 21 May. For all rider and event information please visit http://www.vic.equestrian.org.au/ or contact Ute Raabe +61 (0) 3 9013 0707.
