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Australian eventing riders are admired around the equestrian world. The Olympic Games record of the Australian eventing team is testament to the quality of eventing riders produced in Australia.
But what is it that makes these riders so special? This book, An Eventful Life, provides an insight into the lives of five elite Australian eventing riders; Sonja Johnson, Megan Jones, Shane Rose, Wendy Schaeffer and Stuart Tinney. They are all Olympic medallists, they are all currently competing and they are all based in Australia. An additional chapter on an up and coming rider, Emma Scott, gives an insight into how younger Australian riders vying to take over from these champions view the world of professional equestrian sport.
Equestrian journalist and writer Alison Duthie spent time talking to these riders about their lives, their horses, their ambitions and their businesses. She visited their homes, followed them at competitions and met their partners – both human and equine! Their stories are complemented by 96 pages of full colour photographs – many never previously published. Their backgrounds, personalities and approaches to life vary but there are recurring themes of determination, passion and ambition. The result is a fascinating book comprising of six compelling individual stories which, when combined, provide an incisive and pictorial overview of the sport of eventing in Australia.
This is not just a book for fans of equestrian sport – it is a book for anyone interested in how seemingly ordinary people become Olympic champions. Their stories are inspiring, touching, funny and revealing. Each of these Olympic medallists deserves a biography of their own – but as they are still at the top of their sport and aiming for future goals, this is their story .......... so far.
Latest news
Burghley Horse Trials underway!
September 3rd, 2010 | Published in Burghley 2010
British WEG team members Mary King and William Fox-Pitt lead the dressage after the first day Read More
Eventing Team announced for the WEG
September 1st, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG | 1 Comment
Three of the riders from An Eventful Life make the squad for Kentucky! Congratulations to all of the six riders selected and see you in Kentucky! Read More
Interview with Paul Tapner about WEG from Badminton Blog
September 1st, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG
Badminton Blog video with Paul Tapner talks about his horses for WEG and team expectations Read More
Photos from Sydney 3DE now on Facebook
August 30th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Photos and video from Sydney 3DE on An Eventful Life Facebook page Read More
Final day at Sydney 3DE
August 29th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Showjumping day at Sydney 3DE brought a win for Heath Ryan in the 3 Star and a 4 Star performance for the WEG team contenders Read More
Cross country day at Sydney 3DE
August 28th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Cross country at the Sydney 3DE 2010 – selection trial for the WEG Read More
Second day of dressage at Sydney 3DE
August 27th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
WEG special competition dressage highlight of day two at Sydney 3DERead More
First Day of Dressage at Sydney 3DE
August 26th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Competition and demonstrations start the proceedings at the Sydney 3DERead More
All trot up well at Sydney 3DE
August 26th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Trot up inspection at Sydney 3DE Read More
Megan heads for Sydney and then……..?
August 22nd, 2010 | Published in Riders
Megan Jones heads to Sydney 3DE with her two great horses Jester and Floyd but this could be only a small part of the journey Read More
Good Boy Henny!!! Great highlights from Aussie Peter Atkins’ run at Kentucky Four Star
May 7th, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG
This is a great video from the helmet cam on Peter Atkins on HJ Hampton at the recent Rolex Kentucky 4Star. What a great team! Go Henny and Peter!Read More
“An Eventful Life” riders go well at Sydney WC Eventing
May 8th, 2010 | Published in Riders
Alison Duthie, author of “An Eventful Life” reports from the Sydney World Cup EventingRead More
An Eventful Life riders finish well at Sydney WC
May 9th, 2010 | Published in Riders
Several of the riders featured in the new book “An Eventful Life”finished in the top ten at SydneyRead More
An Update from Emma Scott
May 14th, 2010 | Published in Riders
Emma Scott fills us in on her weekend at the Sydney World Cup qualifier and what is coming up in the near future. Read More
An Eventful Life Now on Sale!!!!!!
May 14th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
An Eventful Life is now on sale! Read More
Sam Griffiths wins Chatsworth CIC3*-W
May 17th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Sam Griffiths – another Aussie win in the UKRead More
And the winners are………………….
June 3rd, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Three keen readers who ordered their copy of An Eventful Life in May have been drawn as the winners of gold plated stock pinsRead More
Reviews of An Eventful Life are coming in!
June 6th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
An Eventful Life is recieving great reviews from press and readersRead More
Sonja Johnson to appear on Bush Telegraph
June 7th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Listen to Sonja Johnson talk about her horses, her life and her sheep on ABC Radio National Bush Telegraph programRead More
Wendy Wings her Way to Europe
June 8th, 2010 | Published in Riders
Wendy Schaeffer will be attending the Melbourne Three Day Event to help launch the new book An Eventful Life, but as the showjumping phase will be deciding the winner Wendy and her showjumping mare, Koyuna Sun Set will be on a flight to EuropeRead More
Werribee Warm Up for Melbourne Three Day Event
June 9th, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
It turned cold and wet at Werribee today but things started to hot up as the trucks rolled in with their precious cargo – horses and riders ready for this year’s Melbourne Three Day EventRead More
Horse Inspection Day at the Melbourne Three Day Event 2010
June 10th, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
Werribee Park prepares for the Melbourne Three Day Event on Horse Inspection DayRead More
Olympic riders launch An Eventful Life
June 12th, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
An Eventful Life launches at Melbourne Three Day EventRead More
Dressage master heads the Melbourne 3DE
June 13th, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
Heath Ryan leads the 3 Star Dressage at Melbourne Three Day EventRead More
An Eventful Life rider leads M3DE after the cross country phase
June 13th, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
Olympic silver medallist Sonja Johnson and the wonderful Australian Stock Horse, Ringwould Jaguar lead the Three Star field after a faultless cross country roundRead More
An Eventful Life’s Sonja Johnson wins the Melbourne CCI***
June 15th, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
Sonja Johnson, Stuart Tinney, Megan Jones and Shane Rose show their class at the Melbourne Three Day EventRead More
An Eventful Life on the Equine Program at Casey Radio
June 18th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Debbie Higgs, publisher of An Eventful Life and eventer Del Ogilvy talk about the M3DE on 97.7fmRead More
Kiwi Hopes To Be Highly Recommended
July 1st, 2010 | Published in Melbourne 3Day Event 2010
Former New South Welshman John Twomey recently made the trip across the Tasman with his 11 YO, 17 hand jumping machine Highly Recommended. They came to take advantage of the first class competition offered at the Melbourne 3 Day Event at the beginning of June Read More
British Eventing Team announced for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010
July 14th, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG
British Eventing have announced their team for Kentucky – but it will be sometime before we know who is in the Australian team Read More
An Eventful Life at the Victorian Interschool Championships
July 15th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
There was great competition, camaraderie and fun – plus copies of An Eventful Life to be presented – at the EV Interschool ChampionshipsRead More
Special offer for Australian Pony/Riding Clubs
July 19th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
A great special offer is available for Equestrian Clubs to help raise funds and save money for their membersRead More
Ex-pat Aussies make US Eventing Team Short List for Kentucky
July 21st, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG
Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin are on the US Eventing Team Short List for KentuckyRead More
Bad Day for Bill at Barbury
July 25th, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG
Bill Levett’s hope of selection for Australian WEG team dashedRead More
Cantering Towards Kentucky Fundraiser
July 31st, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG
Enjoy a great night of dinner, dance and auction whilst helping to raise funds for Australia’s eventing riders heading to the WEGRead More
William Fox-Pitt to attend Equitana
August 2nd, 2010 | Published in Equitana | 1 Comment
William Fox-Pitt and An Eventful Life will be at EquitanaRead More
FEI Awards 2010 – Will Another Aussie Win?
August 4th, 2010 | Published in Riders
Australian groom Michelle Robson won the FEI Best Groom Award last year – make sure that you get your nominations in for the 2010 FEI “Oscars”Read More
Eventing.com interview with Paul Tapner
August 6th, 2010 | Published in The sport of eventing
Interview with Paul Tapner and Sharon Hunt from Eventing.comRead More
An Update from Elite-listed Eventing Rider Sonja Johnson
August 6th, 2010 | Published in Riders
We chat with Sonja Johnson as she prepares for the last selection event at Sydney 3DE and hopefully a team spot at the WEG in Kentucky Read More
Katja and her contacts on a roll
August 9th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Katja Weimann and the owners of Pluto Mio, John and Jane Pittard have plenty to celebrate Read More
Great promo video for Cantering Towards Kentucky!
August 13th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
A great video promotion for Cantering Towards Kentucky by Peter Haynes Read More
And now Cantering Towards Kentucky promo video is here!
August 13th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Cantering Towards Kentucky Promo Video by Peter Haynes is right here for you to see – thanks Peter! Read More
Unhappy Times for Sam and Paul at Hartpury
August 16th, 2010 | Published in Kentucky WEG | 8 Comments
Disappointing results at Hartpury for Aussies makes the Sydney 3DE a crucial competition for riders in contention for WEG team selectionRead More
Horsemen’s Pony Club Supports An Eventful Life
August 17th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Horsemen’s Pony Club is one of the latest clubs to take advantage of our special offer for equestrian clubs Read More
Follow us at WEG on Facebook and Twitter
August 18th, 2010 | Published in Uncategorized
Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Twitter for all the news from Sydney 3DE and WEG Read More
A Postcard from Wendy Schaeffer
August 19th, 2010 | Published in Riders
Having left Australia in June, we catch up with Wendy as she heads to her first selection trial at Hachenburg CSI3* this weekend Read More
