Entries open for horse trials

THE 2024 Marcus Oldham Ballarat International Horse Trials are coming up, and horse-and-rider combinations can enter now to compete.

To be held over three days in May, the dressage, show jumping, and cross-country competition is set for the Ballarat Pony Club Grounds at the Victoria Park Equestrian Precinct.

Horse trials are an Olympic discipline, and event director Judy Croagh said the Ballarat program is looking to be bigger and better than ever before.

“We run six levels from 80 centimetres to 105 centimetres which is national classes, and then we run a two-star, three-star and four-star which are all international classes,” she said.

Friends of Ballarat Eventing members co-ordinate the local International Horse Trials, and Ms Croagh said they are working to improve the grounds.

“We’ve changed our water jump and we’re putting in a new arena,” she said.

“The new arena gives us a warm up option so everybody can warm up on the same surface that they will compete on.

“That’s previously been a weak point, so it’s pretty exciting to see all that coming together.

“Instead of using the oval, we’re also going further into the park and along Winter

Street further.

“It will give people that sit in their cars and watch more of an opportunity to see the horses go a bit further.”

Riders from across the country are expected to take part.

“I’m really looking forward to watching the riders go round as they prepare for the Melbourne three-day event in June,” Ms Croagh said. “We’re a lead-up event to that.”

Head to bit.ly/49dv8CT to enter. Equestrian Australia members are eligible.