Melbourne International Horse Trials Update
Equestrian Victoria has announced a new joint venture to promote the Melbourne International Horse Trials 2014 (MIHT), one of the major sporting and social events of the Australian winter.
MIHT is one of two Australia based nominated events that riders must compete at in order to be considered for selection to Australia's team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games.
The 57 year old competition, formerly known as the Melbourne International Three Day Event, will be contested at the purpose-built Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre over the Queen's Birthday long weekend (Friday 6 to Monday 9 June).
MIHT has announced prize money of more than AU$50,000 for horse and rider combinations in the Junior CCI*, CCI*, CCI** and CCI*** classes. This is a significant increase over previous years and propels the event to one of the richest in Australia.
Werribee Park is the estate of a historical building on the western edge of Melbourne, Australia. It includes Werribee Park Mansion, the Victoria State Rose Garden, formal gardens, the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, the Werribee Open Range Zoo, a contemporary sculpture walk and a natural riverine which is being grown with the plants of the Kurung Jang Balluk clan who lived on Werribee River. There is also the Mansion Hotel and Conference Centre. The Park was purchased by the Victoria State Government in 1973. It was opened as a tourist attraction in 1977. It is run by Parks Victoria.
In related news the Fédération Equestre Internationale has also just announced that this event will hold the Oceania Eventing Championships in 2014.