There is no more spectacular nor conveniently located event in the world than Adelaide (Officially known as the Australian International 3 Day Event). It is located in the beautiful parklands of Adelaide city, the Capitol of South Australia.
For a long time the Adelaide event has been in an artificially induced wilderness. Adelaide was the only four star event not part of the HSBC FEI Classics Series. That is despite a stellar team, beautiful parklands, massive crowds and world class combinations.
However, the hard work over many years of the Adelaide team led by dual gold medalist Gill Rolton has finally paid off. Adelaide will now be part of the HSBC FEI Classics Series and will this year benefit from this new and exciting opportunity.
Gill provided this quote to Eventing Nation
“The Australian International 3 Day Event is the country’s premier Eventing competition and one of only six 4* events held around the world,” explained Event Director and dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton (AUS). “We have been working long and hard to bring the event up to true World class standard and our inclusion in the HSBC Classics series ticks all the boxes.We have a priority to invite the top FEI officials from around the World to preside over the event and in 2010 the footing was the best ever, thanks to the ability to irrigate the whole track.
From Dressage and Eventing Master classes, to the popular Ponies in the Park education and display area in the Market Place, from the excellent Hospitality Marquee to the ‘Eventer’s Bar in Victoria Park, our schedule of ancillary events will provide something for everyone.
This year the riders will be competing for over $100,000 Prize money which is the biggest prize pool for Eventing ever in Australia. This, the vital HSBC FEI Classics Series points on offer and the chance to push the case for selection for the London 2012 Games will certainly be great incentive for competitors to produce their best.
For the last 10 years, Adelaide has been the chosen host city of this hallmark equestrian event. We are now extremely proud to take our place in the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 season and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and competitors to an action-packed event in our unique City of Adelaide setting.”
Any rider who has ridden Adelaide and any of the other four stars will tell you that Adelaide is just as challenging if not more so than the others. Earlier today, I spoke with some of Australia’s top riders, Stuart Tinney, Shane Rose and Adelaide local Megan Jones about their thoughts on Adelaide joining the Classics.
They all expressed their delight that finally Adelaide was being recognized as a ‘World Class Event”, no longer needing to walk in the shadow of the Europeans or Rolex. While the exact details of what benefits that association with the Classics will bring are unknown at this stage. It is clear that this is a very exciting opportunity for Eventing down-under.
I have no doubt that with a prize purse of $100,000 there may be a few riders dusting off their luggage and will be heading to the “Party in the Park”.
This is a huge boost to the Adelaide event, an enormous lift for Eventing in Australia and New Zealand and for that we are thankful to both HSBC and the FEI. The HSBC tagline “The world’s local bank” now truly applies in Eventing. We have a fantastic global sport and it is really important to recognize that south of the equator there are some of the world’s best Eventers.
Now they no longer need to hop on a plane to prove they are the best. In recent year’s with HSBC’s support the Aussies have shone in the Eventing World Cup series and now Aussies and Kiwis based at home can compete for the big prize money on offer.
Interestingly, Adelaide and Pau in 2011 will form part of the 2012 series, making Burghley the final for the 2012 series. Competitors at Pau will earn points in both the 2011 and 2012 in October later this year, I can see a few making the trip to Pau, just for the chance to double dip on the points.
To have Burghley as the climax may be an each way bet for Adelaide as far as attracting riders from both North America and Europe to come and compete. Being at the end of the northern hemisphere’s season may temp some riders to come down-under and have a crack at some early points for the series.
It remains to be seen if we can attract the world’s best to Australia but I do know that any rider who comes will not be disappointed. One person I know is jumping out of her skin on this exciting news is Gill Rolton.
When I spoke with Gill she was blown away by the potential for Adelaide in the future. She has already started getting calls from tourism operators in the USA wanting to bring tour groups to the Event (I am sure that has nothing to do with the amazing coverage of Adelaide 2010 on Eventing Nation).
I was already planning to be in Adelaide this year, now I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I hope to see lots of the EN team here too. To keep up on the news at Adelaide. “Like” them on their Facebook page.
Here is the FEI Press Release.
Yours in Eventing,
