YOUNG eventers and their idols will come together in one of the biggest horse events at Tamworth each year, the Tamworth International Eventing CIC One Day Event, held at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre this weekend.
The event has attracted a record 440 entries, covering all levels of eventing, from juniors to international standard competition.
Elite equestrian riders are heading to Tamworth for the three-star, with highest level of competition in one-day eventing.
“While it’s not a qualifying event, they’re very much looking at this event as part of their team selection for the FEI World Equestrian Games next year, as well as the next Olympics,” committee member Amanda Young said.
“Many of those elite riders will then go to Adelaide, which is the biggest and most prestigious eventing competition in Australia.”
Among the stars taking on the Tamworth course are Hazel Shannon and her horse Clifford, who won at Adelaide last year. The combination has also won at Tamworth on multiple occasions.
The 25-year-old, who grew up on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, started riding with Heath and Rozzie Ryan at Heatherbrae at the age of 17.
It was a huge change for the young equestrian, who grew up in a campdrafting family. Hazel’s father Val Shannon is president of the Far North Queensland branch of the Australian Stock Horse society.
“My horse was a good jumper, so I always wanted to try eventing, but there was no eventing at home, only a small amount of show jumping and dressage,” she said.
Hazel is now focusing on next year’s FEI World Equestrian Games, held at Tryon in North Carolina.
“To be selected, you need to be one of the four best Australian riders, and that includes riders who are based overseas,” she said.
Joining Hazel is her mentor and Olympian Heath Ryan; Katie Taliana, who won the three-star competition at the Sydney International Horse Trials; young stars Soigne Jackson and Jessica Rae; and Andrew Barnett, who, along with his horse, will have his first start at the three-star level.
“One of the unique things about Tamworth is that we have classes for beginners who are just starting in the sport to Australian representatives and former Olympians,” Miss Young said.
“We have a saying, ‘ride until your idols become your rivals’, and at Tamworth we often have juniors riding against elite, professional riders, because they’ll be riding their younger horses in the lower classes.”
The Tamworth event began in 2011 and entries have been improving each year.
“It’s built up a reputation now and riders really like competing at Tamworth because of the great facilities,” Miss Young said.
The three-day event kicks off with international classes on Friday, and spectators are welcome, with free entry all weekend.
