World-Class Eventers Named in the Equestrian Grand Final

A world-class field is set to take centre stage at the Equestrian Grand Final in the Exhibition Eventing, held as part of EQUITANA, Sydney 10-13 November,

The field of 15 will boast many of Australia’s leading riders, including Olympic and World Champion medallists as well as London 2012 hopefuls.

UK-based riders Clayton Fredericks (Olympic silver medallist, two time World Cup Champion and World Championships silver medallist), Paul Tapner (Badminton CCI4* winner and World Games representative) and Sam Griffiths (World Games representative and placegetter at Badminton and Burghley CCI4*s) are going to be competing on borrowed horses. This will provide a rare opportunity to see these overseas based riders compete in Australia. 

Australian based starsStuart Tinney (Olympic gold medallist); Shane Rose (Olympic silver medallist) and Megan Jones (Olympic silver medallist) will also be trying to win their share of the $15,000 prize pool.

Add the winners of the two CCI3 stars held in Australia so far this year Craig Barrett (Melbourne CCI3*) and Christine Bates (Sydney CCI3*) and you have one extraordinarily competitive field. 

Eight riders qualified for the Equestrian Grand Final via the two qualifying events, Sydney Royal Easter Show and Royal Melbourne Show, with the top four riders from each event gaining automatic qualification.

A further seven riders have been granted ‘wild cards’. 

Traditionally the exciting sport of eventing requires wide open spaces.  However, Exhibition Eventing has been developed to capture the spirit and skill of eventing in a more confined area, providing the opportunity for fans to get close to this adrenaline packed sport.

It is fast, it is fun and it tests the skills of riders and horses in a style true to the sport. Competitors firstly complete a short dressage test, the results of which seed the competitors for the jumping round. Starting in reverse order, competitors then negotiate a single jumping course against the clock, which combines show jumps and cross-country fences.

“Exhibition Eventing is a great format,” said Shane Rose 2008 winner of the Exhibition Eventing Sydney qualifier.

“It is really testing and really fun, I am looking forward to the final.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to watch these Aussie stars going head to head on home soil.

The Equestrian Grand Final will bring together Australia’s leading competitors in Dressage, Jumping and Eventing in one spectacular event. 

The Exhibition Eventing Final will be held from 4:30pm- 7:30pm Sunday 13 November in the main arena at Sydney Showground.

More information regarding the Equestrian Grand Final can be found on our web site at http://www.equestrian.org.au/?ID=25636 . Tickets are available for purchase at www.equitana.com.au.

The riders for the 2011 Equestrian Grand Final Exhibition Eventing are listed below:

Qualifier 1 Sydney Royal Easter Show 1. Shane Rose (NSW) 2. Claudia Graham (NSW) 3. Cassie Webb (NSW) 4. Sandy Lucas (NSW) Qualifier 2 Royal Melbourne Show 1. Seumas Marwood (Vic) 2. Emily Anker (Vic) 3. Will Enzinger (Vic) 4. Katja Weimann (Vic) Wild cards Paul Tapner (UK based)                   Elite Australian rider based internationally Sam Griffiths (UK based)                 Elite Australian rider based internationally Clayton Fredericks (UK based)         Elite Australian rider based internationally Megan Jones (SA)                           Highest placed individual  at 2008 Olympic Games Stuart Tinney (NSW)                         Highest placed individual  at 2010 World Equestrian Games Craig Barrett  (NSW)                         Winner of 2011 Melbourne CC13* Christine Bates (NSW)                      Winner of 2011 Sydney CCI3*

Reserve riders: Emma Mason and Tim Boland (2^nd placegetters at 2011 Melbourne and Sydney CCI3*s) 

EQUESTRIAN AUSTRALIA IS GRATEFUL TO THEIR EQUESTRIAN GRAND FINAL PARTNERS