Tamworth International Eventing’s August event will have a truly international flavour this year, with two riders in the CIC3* class representing foreign countries.
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Usman Khan and his mare Al-Buraq’s step up to the elite CIC3* level will be a significant step in his journey to become the first Pakistani to compete at the Olympics in eventing.
Laura Wallace and her thoroughbred Van Heck will meanwhile represent New Zealand in the CIC3* class, and are aiming to compete at the Australian International 3-Day Event in Adelaide later this year.
Based in the Southern Highlands, Wallace is one of sixteen riders who will be competing in the CIC3* class this weekend.
Competition will be fierce, with Olympian Heath Ryan and three previous winners returning to Tamworth with their eyes on the prize.
Hazel Shannon and her thoroughbred Clifford, have been victorious in the 3* class at Tamworth on four previous occasions, while Wilberforce’s Katie Taliana has won the 3* class with her imported horse Trevalgar II in 2013 and 2015.
This year she will ride both Trevalgar II and her thoroughbred Friday Street in the class.
Soigne Jackson and Warrego Collateral Damage were successful in 2016, while Ryan will be competing in the CIC3* class for the first time in several years with the stallion Wimborne Constable.
“Some of Australia’s top eventing riders and horses are currently overseas in preparation for the World Equestrian Games, so it is very exciting to see a strong field of sixteen competitors in the CIC3* class this year,” Tamworth International Eventing President Carolyn Campbell said.
“Despite the dry conditions in Tamworth, the riders enjoy competing here as AELEC is a world class facility and our cross country course and event continues to go from strength to strength.”
Many local riders will be also competing at the event, with classes from 60cm through the elite international levels scheduled.
Eventing competitions consist of three phases: dressage, show jumping and cross country, and the sport is often described as an equestrian triathlon.
“Eventing is so unique, we bring all types of horses and riders together at one competition, there are a lot of families and volunteers that are involved, and our course here in Tamworth is one of the most spectator friendly venues around,” Campbell said.
The action gets underway at midday on Friday with dressage taking place for the international CIC3* and CIC2*.
International classes will complete their show jumping phase in the indoor arena from 1pm on Saturday, and their cross country phase from 10:30 to 12:30pm on Sunday.
