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Media Release: Three Day Event sponsorship celebrates ‘off the track’ thoroughbreds

Thoroughbred Racing SA (TRSA) is entering the seventh year of its partnership with Australia’s premier equestrian competition, the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event – and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The event, which runs from Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th November in the Adelaide park lands, is now a CCI Five-star competition – the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only six in the world.

TRSA’s sponsorship of the event provides additional prizemoney to the leading retired thoroughbred in the Three-star, Four-star, Five-star and Young Rider categories.

This year’s event is a key part of the 2020 Olympic qualification process, and eight of the 22 competitors in the Five-star category are retired racehorses.

One of those is Willingapark Clifford ridden by New South Wales-based Hazel Shannon, with the pair aiming for their third title in four years at the Adelaide Event. If they win, it will be the first time in the world that a horse with a female rider has won three titles at the highest level.

“This sponsorship is an important way for us to recognise and reward thoroughbreds that have transitioned ‘off the track’ from racing into other forms of equestrian competition,” said TRSA Chair Frances Nelson.

“We believe it is an important way for us to encourage those in equestrian sports to consider retired thoroughbreds – and, as Hazel Shannon and Willungapark Clifford have shown, it can be a very formidable combination!”

Ms Shannon said racehorses display a number of qualities that make them perfectly suited to equestrian.

“Like most retired thoroughbreds, Clifford is brave, bold and has the level of stamina, speed and endurance required for equestrian,” she said.

“I firmly believe more people in eventing should be looking to rehome and retrain retired racehorses and thank Thoroughbred Racing SA for showing support and encouragement to those already in the sport.”

In all, there are 25 retired racehorses competing across the three, four and five-star categories in this year’s event.

“We are delighted that Thoroughbred Racing SA is partnering with us for the seventh year in a row to encourage and reward the re-training of retired racehorses,” said Event Director Belinda Lindh.

“The 2019 event will also have the biggest prize pool in the Southern Hemisphere with over $150,000 up for grabs, so we’re confident it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.”

Media enquiries: Alexandra Green, Michels Warren, 0418 608 038 or agreen@micwar.com.au

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