Media Release: Tamworth International Eventing August 17th – 19th.

Tamworth International Eventing’s August event will have a truly international flavour this year, with two riders in the CIC3* class representing foreign countries.
Usman Khan and his mare Al-Buraq will be representing Pakistan in their first attempt at the elite CIC3* level. Usman, who lives in Victoria, is aiming to be the first Pakistani to compete in the Olympics in Eventing, and his step up to CIC3* level in Tamworth this weekend is aa significant milestone in this journey.
Laura Wallace and her thoroughbred Van Heck will represent New Zealand in the CIC3* class, and are aiming to compete at the Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide later this year. Laura is based in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, and is one of sixteen riders who will be competing in the CIC3* class this weekend.
Competition will be fierce in this class, with Olympian Heath Ryan and three previous winners returning to Tamworth with their eyes on the prize. Hazel Shannon and her thoroughbred Clifford are one such combination, having emerged victorious in the Three Star class at Tamworth on four previous occasions.
Katie Taliana from Wilberforce has won the Three Star Class in Tamworth 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 victorious in 2016, while Heath 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”, said Tamworth International Eventing President Carolyn Campbell. “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”.
Eventing competitions consist of three phases: dressage, show jumping and cross country, and the sport is often described as an equestrian triathlon.
Many local riders will be competing at the event, with classes from 60cm through the elite international levels scheduled.
“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” said President Carolyn Campbell. “The majority of the cross country action will take place on Sunday and with entry free to the public, we hope to see a great crowd out on course cheering the riders and horses on.”
The action gets underway on Friday with dressage taking place for the international CIC3* and CIC2* commencing at midday. 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.
All media enquiries to Amanda Young: 0404 831 837.
Photo Credit: OzShotz