Trio step up for the locals at top event

THERE will be a strong local flavour at the Melbourne International Three-Day Event at the National Equestrian Centre in Werribee South this weekend.

Simon Tainsh, of Lara, Maddy O’Callaghan, of Ceres, and Murray Lamperd, of Ocean Grove, will all take part at this weekend’s event.

Teesdale’s Sarah Nevile-Lavingdale will also head up the commentary team.

The horse trials are expected to attract record crowds as the event celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Tainsh has two rides, both in the young horse classes. O’Callaghan has one ride in the 2 Star class.

Lamperd will be busy with four rides, one each in the 1 and 2 Star classes and two in the young horse classes.

Last season ended with a devastating blow for Tainsh when his rising star Vengeance sustained a tendon injury in November.

January saw the sale of his 4 Star Mare, Lexi, to New Zealand, and Tainsh has since turned his focus to the young up-and-coming horses.

He will ride Remi Lord of the Realm in the four-yearold.

O’Callaghan bought her superstar mare Fernloch Allemande when she was 14 years old.

Under expert coaching from Tainsh, the combination has progressed through the grades and has been competing at 2 Star level for the past year.

Ocean Grove’s Lamperd is a familiar face at the Werribee event — this year he will ride Toronto, owned by Philippa Hodson in the 1 Star class; Chocoholic owned by his wife, Jade, in the 2 Star class; Mitey Mouse, owned by Emily Hodson; and Sebastian, owned by Elizabeth Brown in the Young Horse Class.