An icon of South Australia's horse history on show at #EGF15

An icon of South Australia’s horse history will take centre stage at this weekend’s Equestrian Grand Final (#EGF15), happening at the 2015 Australian International Three Day Event (#Aus3de).

A show jump wing designed by Adelaide teenager Erin Conaghty which features the South Australian Police Greys will be part of the Gow Gates Exhibition Eventing Grand Final and IRT Jumping Grand Final.

To celebrate the Equestrian Grand Final being held in Adelaide for the first time, a competition run by Equestrian Australia called upon young people in Adelaide to design a show jump that showcased horses and something iconic to their city.  

For the winning artist the major prize would give them a chance to see their design brought to life and used in the Equestrian Grand Final.  

Inspired by her mother who was part of the Mounted Police unit in South Australia for 11 years, Erin chose to feature the South Australia Police Greys in her design. 

“I was born a few years before Mum left the mounted but there are photos of me on the pommel of my mother’s saddle while she was riding Police Horse (PH) Garrison,” said Erin.

“My favourite Police horses were PM Festival and PH Foley. The fact that the SAPOL Greys are listed as Bank SA State Heritage Icons was quite impressive and I thought that drawing the Greys would be a great way to combine something unique to SA with horses."

It was a volunteer stint at the Mounted Cadre (as it was called at the time) that helped Erin’s mother Sonia get her start with the Mounted.

“I joined SAPOL in 1982 and in 1991 I applied for transfer.  I had my application in for a while and it hadn’t progressed so I volunteered to go to Mounted on my holidays in 1992 and help out for a couple of weeks.  I must have impressed Senior Sergeant John Newton who was the “boss” at the time, as at the end of the two weeks, I was offered a position. I stayed with the Mounted Operations Unit until 2003."

Although not a regular rider, as a member of the SAPOL Band, Erin’s father Neil has a special appreciation for the Mounted Police Unit.

“The Band has had a long association with Mounted, one steeped in history and tradition. We have worked together doing Musical Rides, street parades, pageants, Police graduation ceremonies, Opening of Parliament, to name but a few. We also help train the horses in Public Order Management whereby they are in close proximity to the band to get them used to noise, large shiny instruments and a large group of people, a similar experience to public demonstrations.” 

Ahead of the Equestrian Grand Final which begins Thursday, Erin was presented with her design at Adelaide's Therbarton Police Barracks where her parents and members of the mounted police were on hand to admire her artwork.

Erin says she is honoured that her design has been chosen for visitors to see at the Australian International Three Day Event and Equestrian Grand Final.

"It pleases me to know that our unique Police Greys are getting some positive attention from the general public, especially seeing their important role in keeping the state in order for so long," she said.

Another part of Erin's prize includes tickets to the Australian International Three Day Event and Equestrian Grand Final as well as meeting some of the riders.

"I have never had the opportunity to attend before, but I'm really looking forward to going this year, it will be an amazing experience for me that I will never forget. I'm especially looking forward to meeting the riders," Erin said.

The Equestrian Grand Final begins at the Australian International Three Day Event on Thursday 19 November and runs through until Sunday 22 November. The Equestrian Grand Final is now in its fifth year and brings together Australia's leading riders in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, jumping and eventing. It is the first time the event is being hosted in Adelaide and entry to all #EGF15 events is included in admission to the #Aus3de.

More information is available HERE

Erin is pictured with her father Neil Conaghty, mother Sonia Conaghty and Constable Thomas Mara (who is with PH Zulu).