With this iconic event over for another 12 months, there is no doubt that 2016 will be remembered as a best ever, with many aspects of the competition and hospitality coming together to draw a fantastic crowd who gathered to enjoy the sparkling Melbourne Winter sunshine and spectacular setting for cross country day.

40+ Saddleworld stores from all around Australia combined as the main name sponsors and made the most of the opportunity to highlight the group’s commitment to equestrian sport and help to stage many of Australia’s most important Olympic and WEG qualifying events.

Entry gate to the Event.

It was great to see the Werribee Park car parks full and spectators reach record numbers with more than10,000 fans coming out to enjoy cross country day, making it a great success for the Organising Committee, competitors and the traders.  Equestrian enthusiasts were united in their support of the riders, horses, helpers and friends, with lots of smiles and happy faces creating a warm and friendly atmosphere - it seems that everyone had fun and it
was gratifying that many Saddleworld customers were out and about, enjoying the event.

The weather brought out the crowd

Saddleworld congratulates all class winners for their outstanding performances.   The qualification criteria demands many months of hard work and a structured program which results in competition success at certain accredited events.

Competitors agree that they cannot do it alone and all rely on the help of a dedicated support team.  However, even with the best preparation, all riders will rely on a measure of good luck to bring together these elements and make three successful days of competition possible.

Fans of the sport will understand that a class win at the Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event will remain forever a career highlight and in the CIC 3* class – perhaps the opportunity to represent Australia at an Olympic Games or World Equestrian Games sometime in the future.   But all competitors have earned the right to participate and we acknowledge their qualifying performances over the past 12 months, there was not much separating many combinations … and valuable lessons have been learned.

The 5 class winners in 2016 are as follows:

Uluru Stud CCIJ1* - Paris Auer riding Alchemist wins, with 50.50 penalty points. 25 combinations took part in this class.

Paris Auer and Alchemist

Off The Track CCI1* - Gemma Tinney riding Annapurna with 44.10 were the victors from a huge class of 65 starters.

Horseware CCI2* - went to Teegan Ashby and Waitangi Password, from 40 starters.
Pryde's Easifeed CCI3* was won by Stuart Tinney riding Warhawk, they were rewarded for keeping the penalty points down to 48.30, there were 27 combinations contesting this class.

Teegan Ashby and Waitangi Password

The Pryde's EasiFeed CCI 3* eas won by Stuart Tinney riding Warhawk, they were convincine in all three disciplines.

Warhawk and Stuart Tinney

IRT CIC3* was won by Olympic contenders Shane Rose and the “in-form” CP Qualified who did not put a foot wrong and kept penalties to a minimum – just 40.20.  There were 9 combinations taking part at the top level. 

CP Qualified and Shane Rose

The Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event CDI-W Dressage comprises 2 classes …

4 Star Management Grand Prix on Saturday at 6.30pm in the Indoor Arena.

Crown Equine Veterinary Services Freestyle to Music on Sunday in the Indoor Arena under lights.

Both dressage classes were won by NSW rider Heath Ryan who would be delighted that Utopian Cardinal is stepping into up to meet the challenges of the “big tour” events that have been the domain of his popular and very successful 20 YO stallion Regardez Moi. 

Utopian Cardinal and Heath Ryan

As a World Cup qualifier, the CDI-W attracted a very competitive field and the Eventing crowd appreciated the talent and artistry of the freestyle to music.

Saddleworld’s Mel Best and Jane Foster had fun on the trade stand and had lots of interest in the respected “high-tech” range of Kentucky leg protection. Many people took advantage of the opportunity to look into the advancements in saddlemaking and have a sit in some models from the Pessoa jumping and eventing saddle range, which were on display at the Saddleworld stand. 

The PDS Carl Hester Collection of specialist dressage saddles also created interest. Carl Hester is the “in-form” international trainer and competitor of our time and the range incorporates many of Carl’s personal design ideas which will help both horse and rider move freely, to enhance expression and promote harmony between the horse and rider.

Jane Fisher and Mel Best

Saddleworld’s Mel Best said, “The Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event has been a great chance for us to meet with the leading competitors in both eventing and dressage.  Having some of our key brands on display was a great way to share knowledge and explain the modern technologies that go into the best equestrian products of today.”

“Our stores right around Australia will be able to follow up and give help with selecting the right models and provide a professional fitting service.  We thank the many people that came to the event for making it a truly memorable celebration of our best horses and riders in eventing and dressage.  Congratulations to the successful combinations and now we all look forward to the Rio Olympic Games, come on Aussies!”

For more information and store locations to go www.saddleworld.com.au and this will also enable you to access the 2016 Saddleworld Product Guide.

For complete results Click Here:

You can view Saddleworld’s photo galleries by following the links below.

Saddleworld 2016 Melbourne 3 DE - Non Horsey Highlights

Saddleworld 2016 Melbourne 3 Day Event - IRT CIC 3*

Saddleworld 2016 Melbourne 3DE - Pryde's EasiFeed CCI 3*

Saddleworld 2016 Melbourne 3DE - Horseware CCI 2*

Saddleworld 2016 Melbourne 3DE - Uluru Stud CCIJ1*

Saddleworld 2016 Melbourne 3DE - Off The Track CCI1*