We're off to Lakes and Craters

 

 

An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on the cross country at Lakes & Craters – click here to find out more

 

Twice a year the Victorian eventing community heads to Camperdown in Victoria’s Western Districts and the Lakes & Craters Three Day Event in December is the traditional last fling of the year as Christmas approaches

While non-horsey folk are more likely to be heading to the nearby beaches or a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road, the eventing fraternity makes their way via inland route to the elm-lined boulevards of historic Camperdown with its distinctive 30 metre clock tower

Camperdown is an agricultural centre located on the world's third largest volcanic plain and is surrounded by large salt and fresh water lakes. To the immediate west are the deep volcanic crater lakes Bullen-Merri and Gnotuk while to the east is the crater Lake Purrumbete, popular for its trout and Chinook salmon fishing. The town sits at the foot of mountains which are part of a large extinct volcanic complex known as the "Leura Maar” within the 'Lakes and Craters' region

 

 

This is what makes the cross country course at Camperdown so unique and provides some spectacular views for riders and spectators alike. Maybe it is this unique terrain, which provides some challenging climbs for the horses, and the challenge of re-invigorating a course which has been on the calendar for many years that has attracted renowned course designer John Nicholson and we are looking forward to finding out more about his new course this year and future plans

Despite small numbers in the CCI and CIC 2* and 3* classes, the event has drawn good attendance in the CIC1* and, as always, in the national EvA classes. The CCN three day EvA105 is also proving a popular format

The first horse inspection takes place today and then the dressage kicks off across the classes on Friday – see you there!