By ALENA HIGGINS
IT’S almost time to saddle up ahead of the Queensland International Three Day Event (QI3DE) at Morgan Park this weekend.
A smorgasbord of equestrian events are on offer for riders and spectators alike, beginning with dressage tomorrow, cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.
QI3DE organiser Dr Cameron Osborne said a host of big name riders, including former Olympian Rebel Morrow were on board as well as acclaimed ABC sports commentator Warren Boland.
He said in many ways eventing was the ultimate test of horsemanship.
“Eventing is the triathlon equestrian sport where the same horse and rider combination compete over three days…and the rider with the lowest penalties is the winner,” he said.
“There will be some highly trained horse flesh on display and some of the best riders in Australia will be there.”
The annual competition was established five years ago in an effort to reel in eventers who had jumped ship.
“We really wanted to upgrade the level of competition in Queensland,” Dr Osborne said.
“NSW is most certainly the steam room of equestrian sport in Australia, that’s where most eventers are attracted to go and we’ve lost a few.”
Highlights include a state of origin contest pitting eight riders from NSW and Queensland against one another in a battle for origin glory.
Excellent food and bar facilities will also be on offer during the day and evenings, with plenty of opportunities for spectators to horse around.
On Sunday, a 5km and 2km charity fun run, which weaves its way around the cross country course, is expected to draw hundreds of participants dressed in pink and blue.
The $5 entry fee (a gold coin donation for under 12s) will be donated to Pink Bras Blue Jocks, a charity supporting breast and prostate cancer patients through Mater Chicks in Pink and the Wesley Hospital’s prostate cancer care program.
Charity organiser Debbie Wheeler is in the process of putting the finishing touches on 250m of head-turning bunting made up of pink bras and blue jocks which will feature on the cross country course.
Fun run participants can register at Black Toyota, Mr Rental or Warwick Outdoors and Sports.
Cost to enter QI3DE is a gold coin donation.
For more information and the event itinerary visit www.qi3de.org.au
