Budget Squeeze Threatens Premier Four-Star Event

A sponsorship squeeze and budget shortfall could see the cancellation of the only four-star three-day event in the southern hemisphere.The 2009 Australian International Three Day Event looks set not to proceed this November, said event organiser and dual Olympian Gillian Rolton.

“It’s a bitter disappointment, but faced with the financial realities of 2009 we’re being forced to make an extraordinarily tough decision,” she says.

“Unless an extremely generous benefactor – or naming-rights sponsor – is prepared to come forward with significant financial support, we will have no option other than cancelling this year’s event.”…

“We’re having to make the call now,” says Rolton, “because so many of our top class and international riders depend on the Australian International Three Day Event as part of their qualifying and selection path for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010, and potentially the Olympics in London in 2012″….

Read the entire story
Date: 4-8-2009
By: www.horsetalk.co.nz