The World Equestrian Games
November 2nd 2006 13:31
Capacity crowds for the WEG
And that is the thing about horses in Australia. While the equestrian elite congregated at the World Equestrian Games for the greatest two weeks of horses in the world, Australian networks frustrated horse people from coast to coast with coverage of sport we see all year. Which is interesting, because the Australian Olympic Council
Edwina Alexander jumps to 4th place
So what is going on with coverage over here? Barcelona in 1992 saw the Australians hush the world with individual and team Olympic gold medals in the eventing. Atlanta in 1996 saw them defend their title and successfully. On home turf in 2000 they gave Makybe Diva shoes to fill with an incredible third successive gold medal in the team discipline along with individual silver. In Athens they were sixth. Infact, since the Olympic Games of 1956 the Australian eventing team has never placed less than 7th (excluding the national boycott at the Moscow Games in 1980). This would make Australia’s eventing strengths among the top earners in international competition, again and again and again. But the success is deeply private, because Australia took no notice.
The nation’s highest-selling equestrian magazine reaches circulation figures of about 17,000. Australian Golf Digest magazine reaches circulation of 35,552. 4x4 Australia reaches 20,051 across the nation. All are monthlies and all could be considered niche publications. Horses trail golf (that was obvious) and 4WDs (not so obvious). But does that justify the horse community being dropped off the media agenda, even during the World Equestrian Games?
If majority rules, then viva la equestrian revolution!
Images sourced from the World Equestrian Games website
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