The Big Three Award

Big Three Award has to be one of the most exclusive clubs in the Equestrian world, simply due to its rarity.

The Big Three is something that all riders can achieve. The WEG Games and World championships are, in all practicality, not open to all riders; most of us simply don't have the money to make the attempt. In a sport that prides itself on its motto 'To finish is to win', there have to be achievements and standards that all can equally aspire to. This is one of them. To display the horsemanship necessary, in one year within a framework of four months or thereabouts, to complete these 3 ultimate rides and still have a horse fit to continue, has to be glowing testament to the rider and horse in question.

The Big Three consists of a successful completion in the NSW State Championship, the 400 km Shahzada marathon and the Tom Quilty Gold cup, our national championship.

Records are made to be broken and once the bar is set at a particular height, competitors will plan on how to get over it. It isn't going to be easy but what a fantastic achievement, to realise what you and your horse have achieved together as a team!

John Howe