By Casey O'Connor
The Queensland Equestrian landscape is heading into a decade of “growth and opportunity” in the lead-up to the Olympics according to world-renowned equestrian commentator Sarah Neville-Lavingdale.
Neville, who has recently moved from Victoria to Mt Samson here in Queensland, is coming to Morgan Park this weekend to call the International Level Warwick Horst Trials.
Neville, who was looking forward to her first trip to Morgan Park, said she was excited for the future of Equestrian competition in this state as we head towards Brisbane 2032.
“Queensland is a victim of its own size in many ways,” she explained.
“The tyranny of distance makes it difficult to easily bring together top-class riders together for events.
“The work that has been done at Morgan Park and other centres in Southeast Queensland will be a big benefit and as we get closer to the Brisbane Olympics the opportunity for growth will only expand.
“The event this weekend in Warwick is an International level event which allows riders to use the event as a steppingstone to bigger events like the Adelaide International.”
Neville has now been behind the microphone for the Adelaide International, the premier event in Australia for 10 years and sees some changes in the sport with a slight move away from thoroughbreds to Warm bloods and Cross breeds.
While she is now better-known as a commentator Neville was a highly successful rider in her own right and was, on two occasions, long-listed for Olympic selection who fell into her role behind the mike.
Due to an Injury to one of her horses during an event she found herself unexpectedly thrust into the sphere of commentary and ultimately a new career.
“I retired from riding competitively in 2019,” she said.
“For several years I combined competition and commentating but it just became too difficult. I still ride of course and train purely because I will always have that deep love of horses.
“I am currently managing my horse through a slight injury, and I have found I still have that deep affection and joy I had for horses as a 12-year-old.”
Now with 20 years’ experience behind the microphone Sarah Nevile is recognised as ‘Voice of Eventing’ across Australia.
Her expertise behind the microphone also earned her a gig commentating at one of Britain’s most prestigious events – the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
She laughingly shared that “she had to send organisers and audio of her work behind the microphone so they could check that her voice was acceptable.”
Obviously, it was.
While she was still unsure of the final make-up of the weekend program, Nevile said she was looking forward to seeing the likes of Andrew Cooper, Matthew Gaske and Dean Morris compete.
With upgrades to the Morgan Park course announcing system patrons will be able to follow all the action around the course while taking in Neville’s commentary.
The event runs from Friday to Sunday and entry to all spectators is free.
