Cross Country Day at 3 Day Event
The thunder of hooves will be heard throughout the Adelaide Parklands as cross country competition gets underway at the Australian International 3-Day Event tomorrow (Saturday 14 November).
Heading into day two, South Australian Megan Jones leads the Olympic standard competition ahead of Heath Ryan and Sonja Johnson and Shane Rose, both equal third, following today’s exciting test of precision and elegance in the Rymill Park dressage arena.
Competition begins tomorrow from 9am with riders and horses winding their way through a challenging course, including jumps through Rymill Lake, before arriving at the shorter-distance finish line in Victoria Park. The Qantas Cross Country Day includes the Broome International Airport CCI** competition, Equestrian Australia CCI**** (Olympic standard) event and the Bates Australia CIC**. While the Rymill Park area is ticketed, entry along other sections of the course is free.
With a record number of riders competing in this year’s Australian International 3 Day Event, up to 30,000 people are expected to flock to Rymill Park to see some of horse riding’s biggest stars over three days of action-packed competition from 13 to 15 November.
Olympic gold medallists Wendy Schaeffer and Stuart Tinney will battle it out against some of the biggest names in the equestrian world including silver medallists Shane Rose, Megan Jones and Sonja Johnson and defending champion in the Olympic level four star class, Christopher Burton. More than 110 riders have entered the event, up from 80 riders who competed last year.
Olympic champion and Event Director Gillian Rolton said today’s competition had been of an extremely high standard with Jones’ score of 34 a record for this new 4-star Olympic test.
“There is plenty of shade in Rymill Park and under the trees, temperatures are quite comfortable. Spectators numbers today were strong, pre-ticket sales have been our best yet and we’re expecting a lively crowd tomorrow cheering on their heroes,” she said. “Not only will spectators have the chance to see world-class riding tomorrow, but they can also enjoy a full program of fun events including the Grape and Gourmet Gallop featuring the best of South Australia’s food and wine and an expanded Trade and Lifestyle Village.”
With tomorrow’s event coinciding with the staging of the much loved Credit Union Christmas Pageant, organisers have themed the day as a “family day” encouraging families to enjoy the fabulous sights and sounds of the Pageant and then spend the afternoon relaxing in the parklands.
Spectacular showjumping, a challenging cross country course and dressage are features of the Adelaide event, one of only six four-star events in the world. Tomorrow’s competition begins in the Parklands across Wakefield Road opposite Victoria Park Racecourse with the Olympic standard event starting at noon.
Also today, Ms Rolton was awarded Administrator of the Year by Equestrian Australia while Clayton Fredricks was awarded Athlete of the Year and his horse, Benelong Time, Horse of the Year. Jim Dunn also received an award in appreciation of his services to sporting events.
For more information visit http://www.australian3de.com.au/ or http://www.venuetix.com.au
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