Rio hopefuls set for Sydney International Horse Trials

Shane Rose and CP Qualified at the 2014 Sydney International Horse Trials. (photo: Julie Wilson)

By: Michelle Cook/EA

One of Australia’s premier equestrian events The Sydney International Horse Trials (#SydHT) is set to take place this weekend with world class athletes in action over three days. 

Held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from 1 - 3 May, #SydHT is a unique event that hosts top level competition in two equestrian disciplines, Eventing and Show Jumping.

The eventing program will feature a number athletes who all have the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in their sights, and with national selectors on course, everyone will be looking for clean runs and solid performances.

Beijing Olympic silver medallist Shane Rose missed out on competing in London when his horse pulled up lame just days before the Games. To avoid a repeat of that situation, Rose has been preparing three horses for Rio.

“I don’t want to leave anything to chance,” Rose said. “I’ve got three great horses who are all different and all talented and with 450 odd days to go until Rio, we are looking in good shape.”

The accomplished eventer will be using the #SydHT to test out his younger horses. He will also be giving one of his Rio hopefuls, CP Qualified, a test run in the dressage component, ahead of next month’s Oceania Championships in New Zealand.

Tim Boland and Christine Bates both know all too well the pain of just missing out on an Olympic berth, and are determined that 2016 will be their year.

Boland was the travelling reserve in 2012, an experience he says has helped him grow as an athlete.

“I was standing in the car park during the trot up and got the call that I wouldn’t be needed,” Boland said of London 2012. “There was nothing negative about that experience though, it was amazing. It was so great to be there and I got a real taste for it. It was a completely positive experience. It’s made me want it even more.”

Seasoned athlete Bates believes her horse Adelaide Hill is now better placed than ever to see her don the green and gold. The reformed horse was not quite ready for London but Bates has spent the last few years making positive changes to the horse’s training regime to get him in the best form to make a tilt at Rio.

“I've made changes to his diet,” Bates said. “Everything food related is monitored from his daily feeds to how much grass he's allowed each day. He's weighed regularly. We have made changes to how he is shod for every competition, as this varies if we are competing on hard going or soft going. We have also introduced swimming as part of his fitness program. His gallop days include interval work working up a hill. These are just some of the changes we have made.” 

The event will also host the Greater Sydney CSI World Cup Jumping Qualifier, the highest level show jumping competition in Australia with jumps up to 1.60m high and 2.0m wide. Dave Cameron, the 2014 Australian Jumping Champion, will be in action as well as Youth Olympic Games medallist Tom McDermott and the winner of the recent World Cup class at Sydney Royal Easter Show Allison Rowland.

The event also includes features such as a bareback show jumping competition, and the Jockey’s Jumping Challenge which sees legends of the turf swapping their race silks for show jumping coats. They will be paired with a jumping rider who will have to test their skills at pony racing.

Information:      www.sydneyeventing.org | @SydneyEventing | #SydHT

Where:                Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Saxony Rd, Horsley Park 2175

                 Click here for directions how to get there

                 There is also a chartered bus from Centennial Park

When:                  1 - 3 May 2015

Cost:                     General admission is $20 on Saturday and Sunday

Tickets:                Online at Eventbrite

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