Record turn-out expected for first Exhibition Eventing qualifier

Katja Weimann and BP Flamboyant win the CCI3* 
at the 2013 Melbourne International Three Day Event

Photograph:Julie Wilson

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has revealed the entry list for this year’s event is bigger than ever and includes some of Victoria’s top eventing combinations including ‘2016 Rio’ squad members Katja Weimann and  BP Flamboyant.

At last year’s Royal Melbourne Show Weimann qualified two horses for the final after taking out the event with BP Gallantry and finishing third with her recently selected squad mount.

2013 Trans-Tasman squad member Seumas Marwood is also expected to compete at this year’s event, as is Will Enzinger and Robert Palm.

Exhibition Eventing will bring the skill and excitement of eventing to the Horses in Action competition at the Royal Melbourne Show on Wednesday 25 September, offering riders more than $2,000 in prize money.

RASV CEO Mark O’Sullivan says there is also a bonus prize on offer.

“Racing Victoria is offering a $300 cash bonus if the winner of the Exhibition Eventing class is a retired racehorse,” he said.

The top four placegetters from this qualifying round will be eligible to start at the 2013 Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final which is happening at EQUITANA Sydney from 7-10 November.

They’ll be joined by the top four placegetters from the NSW qualifying event which will be held at the Wallaby Hill Horsetrials from 12-13 October.

Equestrian Australia will also reward a number of wildcard entries to this year’s final which is celebrating its third year in 2013. For the first time Australia’s top event riders will battle it out indoors, under the lights of the dome arena at Sydney Showground.

For more information please visit the dedicated Be the Influnece Equestrian Grand Final webpage.