Wednesday 1 August, 2012
Tamworth Regional Council has decided to sponsor two jumps of a new cross country course at the Australian Equestrian and Livestock Event Centre (AELEC) as part of its strategy to promote the venue among more potential users in the nation’s equestrian community.
Councillors at last week’s meeting voted to use $10,000 from the AELEC Reserve to take up an offer from Tamworth International Eventing to sponsor the jumps for three years.
An international-standard cross country course is currently in the final stages of development, with Tamworth International Eventing ready to host its first event on August 4 and 5.
A report tabled at last week’s meeting said Council has been working with Tamworth International Eventing for some time to develop a cross country course at the AELEC to allow eventing competitions to be staged.
‘Tamworth International Eventing has a five-year plan to grow its main event at AELEC into one of the biggest on the Australian eventing calendar, competing with major three-day events in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide,’ the report said.
‘The AELEC Cross Country Course will host at least two international level competitions per year held by Tamworth International Eventing.'
‘In addition to these events, the facility will be suitable for hosting competitions such as state and national equestrian inter schools championships, pony club zone, state and national championships, and international level carriage driving competitions.’
Eventing is an equestrian discipline which comprises dressage, cross country and show jumping. It has two main formats, the one-day event and the three-day event (as conducted in the Olympic Games).
While dressage and show jumping have previously be held at the AELEC, it has not been able to cater for eventing in the past because it did not have a cross country course.
Tamworth International Eventing engaged internationally recognised designers and course builders to construct the course. The initial development of the course is expected to cost more than $300,000 and has been funded in cash, donations and in-kind support by Tamworth International Eventing and its supporters.
Tamworth International Eventing wrote to Council offering an opportunity to sponsor two of the course’s jumps in the main spectator area valued at $5,000 each for three years.
‘Given the benefits to the AELEC and the region derived from this development and the significance of the effort by Tamworth International Eventing to establish the course, it is recommended the sponsorship offer be accepted,’ said the report to Council.
One of the jumps is a replica Golden Guitar while the other is a model of the AELEC.
Each jump will be branded to enable Council to gain exposure through participants, spectators and photography related to various events using the cross country course.