Australia's elite equestrian dressage riders have started their final challenge for a place at the Olympic Games at the Sydney CDI*** International Grand Prix here Thursday.
Four major events will go towards world ranking points, with the highlights being the Grand Prix on Friday afternoon and the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday night.
More than $3million worth of horseflesh will be on display during the four days of competition, which features the Olympic qualifier for dressage and a World Cup qualifier for Show Jumping. Many of the dressage horses have price tags in excess of $100,000, and are purpose bred for movement and temperament and the years of training that goes into training a top dressage horse.
The two Australian competitors at the Sydney CDI*** who have a chance of earning enough ranking points are Mary Hanna and Ricky McMillan. Australia's third hope for an Olympic berth is Kristy Oatley-Nist who is currently competing in Europe.