Aussie Girls Go for Gold - Sydney International Three Day Event

 

The Sydney International Three Day Event is set to be an exciting showdown between some of Australia's best equestrian athletes. Australia’s Eventing Team has secured its place at the London Olympic Games and there are just five spots up for grabs. 

The fast approaching Sydney International Three Day Event is being held 27-29 April at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, the venue where Australia won gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Sydney Competition will host the Equestrian NSW CCI3* which is one of the final selection events for the ten Australian based riders on the short lists aiming to ride for their country at the London Olympics in just 115 days.

Australia has enjoyed an illustrious history in Olympic Eventing competition, winning eleven team and individual medals, including four Olympic Gold. Equestrian competition is the only Olympic sport where animals are considered teammates and one of the few where men and women compete on equal terms. Eventing, similar to the triathlon, is a thrilling sport filled with stories of amazing courage and determination to win.

Already entered for the prestigious Sydney 3DE are two members of the Silver medal winning team from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Megan Jones (pictured) and Sonja Johnson. Megan, from Stirling in South Australia is bringing Kirby Park Irish Jester, the horse she rode to an individual 4th in Beijing as well as Kirby Park Allofasudden, originally a Magic Millions Yearling who is now on track for the London Games. Sonja will make the 45 hour journey from Palmdale in Western Australia to unite with her Olympic teammate. She brings two rides for the 3*, ex-racehorse Parkiarrup Illicit Liasion who is short listed on the A squad and the Australian Stock Horse Belfast Mojito.

Joining the Olympic heroines is another talented female rider, Natalie Blundell from Harden in NSW. Natalie is listed on the current National Elite Squad with her ex-racehorse, Algebra who had thirteen career starts before beginning his new career as successful Eventer.

These talented sportswomen expect to compete against the 8 other Australian based Olympic hopefuls including another 2008 team member Shane Rose and Sydney 2000 Gold Medallist Stuart Tinney. The girls are determined to secure a place on the team and competition at the Sydney Three Day Event will be fierce!

New sponsors are invited to join existing SIE partners in supporting this internationally renowned event that helps to produce Australian Champions in Eventing. There are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities still available with the Adopt-A-Jump package giving businesses a uniquely spectacular way to be involved.

New volunteers are encouraged to join the SIE team to help run this wonderful event. By contributing to the Olympic journey of our Australian athletes an amazing sense of personal satisfaction is received. There are jobs to suit everyone's skills, knowledge and time.

Quick Link

• For more information please visit www.sydneyeventing.org