Farm World 2017: Many equestrian events to please horse lovers

FARM World’s equestrian events promise to be a highlight this year, with a slew of top national and international competitors travelling to Gippsland’s Lardner Park for a packed program.

High achiever: Jasmine Dennison, the 2015 National Junior Champion, will be among the contenders at the Equestrian Expo show jumping event on Saturday.

FARM World’s equestrian events promise to be a highlight this year, with a slew of top national and international competitors travelling to Gippsland’s Lardner Park for a packed program.

Competitors will take part in dressage, show jumping and games events, with the HRCAV Dressage event, open to all levels, kicking off the program’s second year on Thursday.

On the Friday and Saturday, Equestrian Australia show jumping events will be held in the Isuzu Ute Main Arena, on a course designed by Sydney Olympian and Gippsland local, Gavin Chester.

The organisers say the course “promises to be a challenge, with jumps ranging from 90cm to 140cm”.

Some $10,000 in prize money is up for grabs across a number of events, including Friday’s Yarragon Rural Supplies Mini Prix and Saturday’s Pakenham Produce Farm World Cup.

Equestrian Expo organisers said a number of “riders of note” will compete in Saturday’s show jumping events.

They will include the 2015 National Junior Champion from Mt Eliza, Jasmine Dennison; the 1996 Olympian and international competitor, Whittlesea’s Russell Johnstone; World Cup competitors from Dennison, Ally and Andrew Lamb; and Elite Squad member Paul Brent from Coldstream.

Reigning champ Brook Dobbin, from Yarra Glen, will defend his 2016 Pakenham Produce Farm World Cup title.

Following a successful debut last year, The Farm World Equestrian Expo has been extended to include a full day of Games Championships on Sunday.

Among the high-achieving Games riders will be youngster Alice Greig, who rode on the winning Australian team at Nation Championships in 2015.

She followed up that success last year placing eighth in the Australian Individual Championships, second in the Australian Teams Championships, and fifth in the Australian Pairs Championships.

She also competed at the World Pairs Championships in Denmark.

“That is quite an impressive riding resume considering she is not yet 21 years old,” an event spokesman said.

Trophy rugs will be provided by Arch & Alex, with further sponsorship from Gippsland Premium Quarries and Yaraandoo Park Concepts.