Olympic Hopefuls at Tonimbuk

Megan Jones winning the 2010 HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing Qualifier at Kihikihi (NZL) Photograph:HSBC FEI

Many of Australia's leading riders, and Olympic hopefuls, will compete in the Tonimbuk Horse Trials this weekend.

The trials, now in their 12th year, have received international accreditation and attract competitors from across Australia.

Competing this year will be Victorian Olympic contenders Emily Anker, Will Enzinger and Natalie Davies, who have all represented Australia overseas; South Australian Megan Jones, a former Olympian and World Equestrian Games Australian representative; and NSW-based Finnish rider Dominic Ingvall, who hopes to represent her homeland at the Olympics.

To add further drama to this, Seumas Marwood, one of the Olympic selectors, will compete, riding his talented Wild Oats and mixing it with the best of them in the three-star event.

The trials, to be held at the picturesque Tonimbuk Equestrian Park on March 12 and 13, will cater for the full range of eventing grades, from introductory through preliminary, pre-novice, international one, two and three star.

Organisers say they they have received more than 300 entries and are expecting 2000 visitors over the weekend.

The high-quality cross-country course was designed and built by acclaimed course designer and builder Wayne Copping, from South Australia.

Sponsors include Pakenham Produce and Saddlery, Equissage, Redwood Prints, Mal Byrne Saddlery, Mitavite and Outlook Greenery.

Cardinia Shire Council is also a sponsor and will present the award for the best performed shire-resident rider.

Dressage will start on Saturday at 8am and the elite three-star dressage event to be held in the indoor arena in the evening.

The introductory and preliminary showjumping also will be held on the Saturday and the remainder of the showjumping classes and all the cross-country sections will be held on Sunday.

Story: Jenny Sheppard www.weeklytimesnow.com.au