Sydney International 3 Day Event, one of the key Olympic selection events for Australian based riders, is now just over one week away.
The big event will start with the CCI 3* Trot Up on Thursday afternoon and we’ll be bringing you articles, photos and video each day of the event and keeping you up to date with all the latest happenings on facebook and Twitter.
The entries are now confirmed and, not surprisingly, it reads like a Who’s Who of Australian based eventing riders.
EA Elite Squad riders competing
The following four Elite Squad combinations will be competing;
Natalie Blundell and ALGEBRA
Craig Barrett and WENDELA JAMIE
Sonja Johnson and PARKIARRUP ILIICIT LIAISON
Emma Mason and F1 PHARINELLI
The only combination not competing at Sydney which is Elite listed and Australian based is Olympic gold medallist, Stuart Tinney on Panamera. Stuart explained why;
“After winning the 4* at the Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide in November last year, the plan was always to not run Panamera at Sydney 3 Day. Her preparation leading into Adelaide was doing CIC events and we felt that worked really well and so we intend to keep to this plan.
Our goal is not just to be selected for the team for London 2012, it is to win medals there (preferably two gold ones!) so, bearing that in mind, and that the Olympic Games are over three months away, we need to ensure that we peak at the right time. We’re doing rigorous fitness work and will compete Panamera at Eventing Equestriad in May but we don’t think she needs to do another Three Day Event before the biggest championships of her life. This is the first time since Jeepster that we feel we have another real chance at Olympic gold and so our whole focus is on the best preparation for this horse for London.
The plan is to compete Pluto Mio in the 3* at Sydney and Orchard Hill in the 3* at Melbourne and hopefully have three horses qualified and ready for London. But the welfare and preparation of the horses is paramount and we want to present a really fit and sound horse at Greenwich to give ourselves the best possible chance of another medal” says Stuart
Stuart and Panamera - 4* winners Australian International 3 Day Event 2011
Photo: Toni-anne Collins
EA National A Squad riders competing
From the EA National A Squad the following riders are competing;
Christine Bates and ADELAIDE HILL
Emma Scott and MUSTANG
Megan Jones and KIRBY PARK ALLOFASUDDEN
Craig Barrett and SANDHILLS BRILLAIRE
Shane Rose and TAURUS
Tim Boland and G.V. BILLY ELLIOT
Stuart Tinney and PLUTO MIO
On the same weekend, National A Listed rider Kadi Eykamp will be riding Double Rivers Dillon at Rolex Kentucky 4* and we’ll be bringing you full coverage from this event also.
A big course for a big event..........
The other riders in the CCI 3* at Sydney International 3 Day Event are currently;
Jessica Manson and LEGAL STAR
Murray Lamperd and UNDER THE CLOCKS
Megan Jones and KIRBY PARK IRISH JESTER
Sonja Johnson and BELFAST MOJITO
Keira Byrnes and FOX HILL
Charlie Brister and BARREL OF FUN
Luke Jones and CHARLATAN
Seumas Marwood and WILD OATS
Crystal Conning and MARCUS AURELIUS
Robert Palm and KOKO BLACK
Delwyn Ogilvy and GREY SMUDGE
Andrew Cooper and GUEST OF HONOUR
Rumour has it that the course, designed by Mike Etherington-Smith will be huge so it will be a very interesting and exciting event
For more information about Sydney International 3 Day Event and nominations for all classes, visit http://www.sydneyeventing.org/?q=index
