Olympians To Converge on Adelaide for the Australian International 3DE

Adelaide will welcome HSBC number one ranked UK rider and London 2012 Olympic Silver medallist William Fox-Pitt when he joins an all-star lineup of riders and Olympians at Australia’s premier equestrian competition, the 2012 Australian International 3-Day Event (AI3DE), held from 22-25 November in Adelaide’s parklands and Victoria Park.

Olympic Champion and Event Director Gillian Rolton says Fox-Pitt will be a major draw card for this year’s AI3DE, holding exclusive master classes and presenting.   

Big name riders expected to compete in this year’s event include SA Olympic medallists Megan Jones and Wendy Schaeffer, Olympic medallists Shane Rose, Stuart Tinney and Sonya Johnson. Unmounted visitors include Clayton Fredericks, Sam Grifiths, Paul Tapner, Chris Burton and dual London Olympic Champion, and current World and European Champion, Michael Jung from Germany on his first trip to Australia.

The AI3DE is Australia’s premier equestrian event and one of only six Concours Complet International (CCI) four-star events in the world that make up the HSBC FEI Classics SeriesTM and the only one in the Southern hemisphere.

The event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, is the only event of its kind to be held in the heart of a city, with other locations on the four-star calendar including USA’s equine capital, Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley in UK, the Luhmühlen Horse Trials in Germany and Pau, in France’s beautiful Pyrenees region.

“Not only do we see a lot of Olympians compete at this event, it is also a launch pad for future stars who will one day will compete at the Olympics and World Championships.”

More than 30,000 people are expected to flock to Victoria Park and Adelaide’s parklands to see some of horse riding’s biggest stars over three days of action-packed competition from November 22-25, with a free open day on Thursday 22 November featuring the Horseland CCI** dressage competition and free to public after 5pm Twilight Show Jumping on Friday Evening with live entertainment from Brewster Brothers - original members of the Angels - and the Germaine Sisters, champagne bar and much more. 

The AI3DE also includes an extensive social calendar including a Party in the Park and VIP Party including a fashion parade from Miss Gladys Sym Choon, last year’s sell out Southern Stars Eventer’s Party featuring top party band Acoustic Juice on Saturday night, DJs and bands providing entertainment in the Coopers Eventer’s Bar, twilight markets offering a range of gourmet food and wine, merchandise, street theatre, corporate marquees, champagne bar and more. Television sensation Double Dan Horsemanship will entertain the crowd with their exciting and individual brand of entertainment and Ponies in the Park will provide an educational and exciting experience for children.

Tickets for the 2012 Australian International 3 Day Event can be purchased through Ticketek at http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=HORSETRI12 or at the gate.

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