NEWS > Eventing
Posted by Equestrian Australia on 17/04/2014.

Horse Jumps Replica of Iconic Sydney Landmark

Opera House Cross Country jump

Sydney International Horse Trials has unveiled its spectacular new Opera House jump.

The jump is a collaboration of artist Anwen Keeling, jump builder Brett Ryan and Olympic Medallist and course designer Stuart Tinney.

17 April 2014

A proud family tradition continues

The Roycroft family is perhaps one of Australia’s most famous equestrian dynasties. Bill Roycroft, his sons Barry, Wayne and Clarke and his daughter-in-law Vicky, have competed on the Australian Olympic Equestrian Team no less than 14 times. The Sydney International Horse Trials is proud to have the three-time Olympian, bronze medal winning rider, and coach to the four-time gold medal winning Australian Olympic Eventing Team, Wayne Roycroft (pictured below) as our Patron.

An annual event, the Sydney International Horse Trials (SIHT) has a proud heritage, having been in operation continuously since 1957. For many years The Sydney International Horse Trails (formally known as the Sydney 3 Day Event) was held in conjunction with the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

It seems crazy to think about it today, but between 1957 and 1986 riders use to compete on a cross country course smack bang in the middle of Sydney’s Centennial Park, with the endurance phases being held at Randwick Racecourse and the showjumping at the Sydney Showground. The Sydney International Horse Trials has since moved to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in Horsley Park (the site of the equestrian events for the 2000 Sydney Olympics).

During the time the event was held at the Sydney Showgrounds in Sydney’s eastern suburbs Wayne Roycroft took out either the Samuel Hordern Memorial Trophy for the advanced class or the Three- Day Horse Trial Trophy on no less than 17 occasions, with other members of the Roycroft family (Bill and Vicky) winning another 3 times.

3 April 2014

Sydney International Horse Trials goes hi-tech

Spectators and eventing enthusiasts all over the world will be able to enjoy a free virtual guided course walk of the upcoming Sydney 3* cross country course using an exciting Australian developed iPhone app.

Imagine standing at a fence on the 6km cross country course and at the touch of a button, listening to one of the world’s leading course designers, Mike Etherington-Smith talk about the challenges he has set, and former Olympic coach Wayne Roycroft explain how the riders will approach the fence and where valuable seconds will be gained or lost.

The Ultimate Spectator Tool

Spectators can plan where to watch, find their way around the course with GPS, then stand at a jump and listen to the commentary on their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, as they would an audio tour in an art gallery. If they hear that horse and rider have had a problem at a jump, they can click on the map to see the jump from different angles and learn why it might have happened.  The full virtual guided course walk will be available on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. An interactive map will be available to all smartphone or desktop users.

Touch Screen Monitors

Computing giant HP will provide their latest touch screen monitors for the Information Centre and VIP tent to make the digital course maps and superb satellite imagery even more accessible and fun for all spectators.

An expert in your pocket

“Guided cross country course walks are very popular with our spectators as they gain more insight into the course design and the challenges faced by horse and rider”, said Event Director Rose Read.“Now a far wider audience will have the opportunity, thanks to Cross Country App, to experience the course walk with Mike and Wayne virtually, their own personal tour of the course with expert commentary at their finger tips”.

Because of its Olympic heritage (Sydney International Equestrian Centre was home of the Sydney Olympics equestrian events), the lead up to the World Equestrian Games in August 2014, and theinvolvement of British course designer Mike Etherington-Smith, there will be intense global interest in the cross country course. Exciting new jumps are being kept tightly under wraps. CrossCountry App overcomes technology hurdles and tight timescales to enable Sydney International Horse Trials to deliver a unique infotainment experience to thousands of spectators on course and around the world.

How to get it

Download CrossCountry Lite free from the App Store, then download courses and virtual course walks from all over the world. The real afficionado can see times and minute markers and add their own photos and video memories with the full version. The 2013 virtual course walk is available now and the 2014 course will be available on Thursday 24th April.

PC and other smartphone users will be able to view an interactive map on the websitesydneyeventing.org.

Sydney International Horse Trials takes place 25 - 27 April 2014

More information at crosscountryapp.com and sydneyeventing.org

Enquiries to: Jose Diacono [email protected] +61 418 224 081

1st April 2014

Jumping for Joy at the Sydney International Horse Trials 2014

This is a call out for all showjumping enthusiasts.

Come and see Australia’s best showjumpers compete in the Greater Sydney FEI World Cup Jumping Qualifier at the Sydney International Horse Trials on Sunday April the 27th. Sponsored by Equestrian NSW, the Sydney International Horse Trials, as a part of the Greater Sydney Showjumping Program is proud to be hosting this prestigious event

The Greater Sydney FEI World Cup Jumping Qualifier is the first in 11 confirmed rounds of the Australian League 2014/15 FEI World Cup Jumping League. The leader of this series will earn the right to represent Australia at the FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas in 2015.

The blue ribbon course for the qualifier will be designed by renowned, international course designer John Vallance (assisted by Brad Longurst). Riders in this event will be competing for a prize pool of $7,550.

An annual event, the Sydney International Horse Trials has a proud heritage having been in operation since 1957. The Sydney International Horse Trials (formally known as the Sydney 3 Day Event) was originally held in conjunction with the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Riders competed in the various phases in Sydney’s Centennial Park, Randwick Racecourse and the Sydney Showground. The Sydney International Horse Trials has since moved to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre – the site of the equestrian events for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

This year’s fixture will feature a wide range of eventing/jumping classes; including the World Cup Qualifier and an eventing CCI3* event. It’s guaranteed to be a great day out for families and equestrian enthusiasts alike.      

So come and join us for an exciting day of competition on the 27th of April 2014

Where: The Sydney International Horse Trials runs from the 25th-27th April at The Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Saxony Rd Horsley Park 2175

Directions: Click here for directions How to get there

When: The Greater Sydney World Cup Qualifier – starts at 1 on Sunday the 27th of April

How much: General admission is $20 on Sunday

Tickets: Buy tickets online at Eventbrite

Information: Please see www.sydneyeventing.org for more details.

Contact: Please contact Rose Read at [email protected] for further information

1st April 2014

Sydney International Horse Trails has extended the closing date for entries until Monday 7 April.

Sydney International Horse Trials appreciates that some riders will be seeking qualifiers at  the Albury Horse Trials this weekend, and we don't want you to be disadvantaged by being charged a late fee.  Any entries after next   Monday  will incur a $50 late fee.

The Event will run CCI3*, CCI2* and CCI1*, together with CIC2* and CIC1*.  We also have Young Event Horse classes for 4, 5 and 6 year old horses on Friday (filling fast).
It’s going to be a wonderful event with cross country courses designed by Mike Etherington-Smith and Stuart Tinney, including some exciting new jumps.   There will also be a full Jumping program, including a World Cup Qualifier.  So make sure you are part of this great event, and don’t forget to tell your friends to come along and enjoy all we have to offer.

 25th March 2014

More for everyone at the 2014 Sydney International Horse Trials

The Sydney International Horse Trials (SIHT) promises to be bigger and better in 2014 with a packed equestrian program and some great new additions for the spectators.

The event hosts  both  Eventing and Jumping programs. On  the  Eventing side  the  feature class  is  the Equestrian NSW CCI3*. This is a nominated event within the 2014 World Equestrian Games Selection Policy so you can expect to see all the riders who are aiming for WEG team selection. SIHT will also be running CCI2*, CIC2*, CCI1* and CIC1* as well as the popular Young Event Horse classes (for 4, 5 and 6-year-old horses).

On the Show Jumping side SIHT is pleased to announce that they will be holding the Greater Sydney CSI World Cup Jumping Qualifier. Other jumping highlights over the three days including the Australian Amateur Jumping Championships, Young Horse classes for 4 to 7-year-old horses plus 1.10m to 1.45m classes and Junior and Young Rider classes.

More Entertainment

For the first time there will be a public bar and café at the water pond on cross-country day. “We want to make a centralised social hub where you can eat and drink and catch up with friends whilst watching the action,” explained Rose. “It’s a great spot on the course as you can see quite a number of jumps from this location and we will be running a shuttle to the water pond throughout the day,” added Rose.

Following the cross country there will be young rider and bareback show jumping on Saturday Evening in the indoor arena. With $1000 prize money up for grabs this is bound to be full of action and dare devil riding.

Another addition to the event is a “Celebrity Challenge” on Sunday. This year the event has a theme of “Tribute to the Horse”.  So many of the horses in equestrian sports are ex-racehorses and SIHT thought a fun way to acknowledge the versatility of these wonderful animals is to invite some of Australia’s leading jockeys to take part in a fun jumping competition.   The jockeys will be teamed up with some our best eventers and jumpers. Let’s see if the riders are as versatile as their mounts!

“We are really excited to welcome some legends of the turf to the event,” says Rose “it is lovely to see the two sports coming together and we know there will be some very competitive personalities doing battle, so it should be great fun.”

The  official  vehicle  supplier,  Landrover,  will  be   bringing  out  their  terrapod  and  doing  towing demonstrations throughout the weekend. For the shoppers there will be an extensive trade village.

Improved transport options

There will be a bus running from Centennial Park on Saturday and Sunday so people can commute from the city and leave the car behind. This will be an ideal option for groups who would like to enjoy the event together.  Tickets for the bus can be booked along with event tickets online at www.sydneyeventing.org

There   will   be   also   improved   transport   around   the   venue   to   make   the   spectating   easier.   shuttle bus will ferry people around the venue all weekend, so you won’t have to worry about the long hike between spectator points.

For the Kids

Once at the event the kids will enjoy the new “kids zone” which will feature a jumping castle, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and even a crèche. Parents will be able to drop their kids (aged 5 -12) off for a few hours and know that they will be looked after and entertained.  Equestrian Australia is will provide their educational “Ready Set Trot” activities and the kids can expect a visit from “Gee Gee” the mascot.

Behind the Scenes Tours

Another great opportunity at the SIHT is to take the tour through the stables, where you will meet the riders and the horses and learn what happens back stage at an international event.  The behind the scenes tours include entry and parking, watching from a reserved area with a packed lunch provided, a guided cross- country course walk (Saturday and CCI3*/World Cup  show jumping course walks (Sunday). This is a great opportunity for aspiring riders and school group tours or even people considering becoming sport horse owners.

Cross Country Guided Tour

On Saturday at 10.00am spectators can go on a free one hour cross country course walk with legendary course designer Mike Etherington-Smith and past Olympian and National Eventing Coach Wayne Roycroft, meet at the cross country start box.

Have your say

Everyone at the event will have the chance to hear the views of local and overseas officials, riders, organisers and volunteers at an open forum on Friday evening in the indoor arena. Mike Etherington-Smith, Tim Downes (GBR) will be amongst the guest speakers. Sponsored by Equestrian NSW, this is an opportunity for dialogue amongst riders, officials, volunteers and sport enthusiasts regarding the challenges, experiences and their views on the sport. Everyone is invited to attend.

The 2014 Sydney International Horse Trials promises to be their best event yet, with so much to see and do for everyone in the family. Book your tickets now!

Where: The Sydney International Horse Trials at The Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Saxony Rd, Horsley Park 2175

Directions:  Click here for directions how to get there

When: 25-27 of April

How much: General admission is $20 on Saturday and Sunday

Tickets: Buy tickets online at  Eventbrite

Information: Please see www.sydneyeventing.or g for more details

Contact: Please contact Rose Read at  [email protected] for further information

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