The 2009 Australian International Three Day Event at Adelaide has been saved by the generosity of eventing fans.
Last month (news, 28 may) event director Gill Rolton announced that Australia’s only 4* event (13-15 November) would not go ahead this year because of an Aus $100,000 budget shortfall.
Within a week Aus $45,000 had been donated by riders, supporters and companies and numerous fund-raising activities were planned.
Now, Ms Rolton says, the event will go on.
“The response has been nothing short of extraordinary,” she said. “And based on the pledges we’ve received so far the board of management now feels confident that we have the financial backing to proceed.”
The event is still searching for a naming sponsor, said chairman of the management board Bob Gillen, who added: “We are extremely grateful to all of those who’ve already made such a passionate plea for the survival of the event and would be delighted to accept any further donations or pledges of support.”
Adelaide is one of just six 4* events in the world and is the only one to not be a part of the HSBC FEI Classics series.
