Sydney Event Strengthens Australia's Olympic Chances for Seventh Gold Medal

Australian based riders will be competing in the Sydney International Three Day Event 8-11 September for their individual global rankings at the venue where Australia won Olympic Gold at the Sydney 2000 Games on the same weekend in September as the Australian team begins their pursuit for 2012 Olympic qualification at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials near Woodstock in England. If the Aussie team in the UK fails then Australian riders must qualify for a spot at the London Games with an individual global ranking in the top twenty. Currently Australia has ten riders in the top fifty and five of these riders, including Sydney 2000 Gold medallist Stuart Tinney from Maraylya, NSW (pictured) and Bejing 2008 Silver Medallist Shane Rose from Werombi, NSW, are aiming to compete at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre where their performances could count towards the country's chances for a 7th Olympic Gold.

Joining these elite riders in the 3 Star class is Craig Barrett from Branxton, NSW who won the recent Melbourne International 3DE on his 13 year old thoroughbred Wendela Jamie. This was the first chance for Australian-based riders to gain their Olympic qualifications, providing Craig with his MES. Also competing in Sydney will be National A Squad riders Emma Mason from Mangrove Mountain, Nat Blundell from Canberra, ACT and Tim Boland from Wyong, NSW. Kevin McNab and Eleanor Osborne will be representing Queensland, Emily Anker and Shay Smith will travel up from Victoria and Tegan Lush will trek across the centre from Western Australia for the prestigious event.  2010 Sydney 3DE winner Heath Ryan will not be defending his title, instead attending the State Dressage Titles in Tamworth the same weekend chasing an Olympic qualifying score in the Dressage Discipline. 

Australia has a proud Olympic tradition in Eventing winning 11 Olympic medals, including 6 gold, since they fielded their first Equestrian team in 1956. This team had to travel for months by boat to Stockholm, England to compete despite the Games being held in Melbourne due to the strict Australian quarantine regulations. Four years later Australia's first Eventing medal was won in Rome with Laurie Morgan, Neale Lavis and an injured Bill Roycroft winning Gold. Bill went on to compete in four more Olympic Games and carried the Australian Flag in the Opening Ceremony in Mexico City. Bill passed away earlier this year after a lifetime of contributing to the sport of Eventing.

Wayne Roycroft continued in his father's footsteps as an Olympic rider and then became the Australian Eventing coach, playing a part in 8 of Australia's medals, including the victory at the Sydney 2000 Games.

Wayne recently accepted the invitation to be Patron of Sydney International Eventing, providing support for the venue where he coached Australia to a third successive Gold medal, “I look forward to working with the Committee in the future to help the Sport and continuing my involvement with the Eventing Family."

Wayne will be conducting a hosted cross country walk on Saturday 10 September at the Sydney International Three Day Event. Members of the public are invited to take part in this unique experience and learn from one of the best Equestrians in the world before watching the exciting cross country action on the Olympic course. Wear green and gold to show your support of the Australian Team's quest for a 7th Eventing Gold medal to receive a free pass to the hosted walk.

This year's Sydney International 3DE, run by a committed group of volunteers, many of whom also volunteered at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, has attracted a number of prominent corporate sponsors keen to be involved in the prestigious competition including Testra and Virgin Australia. There will be a variety of other entertainment over the weekend including Dog Agility and Reining demonstrations and the trade stand area surrounding the main competition arena is the largest it has been. The Sydney International Equestrian Centre is just off the M7 at Horsely Park only 45 minutes from the centre of Sydney. Parking at the venue is free. For more information about What's On and how to get there visit www.sydneyeventing.org

What’s On - TIMETABLE (times are subject to change)

Wed 7 Sep - Trot up from 2-4pm

Thurs 8 Sep - Dressage 9-4pm; Riders Welcome Reception from 7.00pm

Fri 9 Sep - Dressage & Telstra Australian Young Event Horse Championships 9-4pm; Video Night and Sausage sizzle from 7.00pm

Sat 10 Sep - Hosted Course Walk 10am; Cross Country 9-4pm; Paella and Tango Night from 7.00pm

Sun 10 Sep - Final horse inspection 6.30 - 8.00am; Show jumping & Dog Agility from 8:30am

Trade Village

Antares Australia * Equine Chia * Equine Performance * Equiscape Photography * Equissage Therapy * Equissentials Europa * Horseland Terrey Hills * Horsewerks * Kiah Equine * Ranvet * The Horse Stall * Top 2 Tail Equestrian *

Tickets

General Admission- Thursday 8th Sept - FREE;  Friday 9th Sept - Adults 16 years & over $10, Under 16 years & pensioners FREE; Saturday 10th Sept - Adults 16 years & over $15, Under 16 years & pensioners FREE; Sunday 11th Sept - Adults 16 years & over $15, Under 16 years & pensioners FREE

Jump Inn Cafe- The cafe is located along the main arena and at the water jump. Includes entry, VIP parking, gourmet lunch and drinks, morning and afternoon tea. Friday $100; Saturday $125; Sunday $125; Event Package $300.