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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