16-YEAR-OLD WITH EQUESTRIAN GOLD FIRMLY IN HIS SIGHTS

Kiamas George Sheridan pictured at the 2005 Bates International Eventing competition where he finished 15th out of 40 competitors in the Pre-novice class.

KIAMAS George Sheridan has his sights set on the international eventing victory podium.

The 16-year-old will compete at the 2006 Bates International Three Day Event at Horsley Park, Sydney, the home of the 2000 Olympics on board his horse On the Dark Horse or Blacky as George calls him.

Eventing is known as the triathlon for horses, with horse and rider covering the disciplines of dressage, cross country and showjumping with this years event set to attract over 150 riders with varying levels of domestic and international experience.

Georges father Phil recalls his sons introduction to horse riding.

We went to Tamworth for my son Williams cricket carnival and stayed out of town at a farm, he said.

We were driving in the gate one afternoon and I saw George on an old grey mare bringing the cattle in and it grew from there, he added.

Since then George quickly joined Kiama Pony Club and after having fun and thinking that the sport was already awesome George decided to get serious and started jumping before being introduced to eventing, something that changed the way he now looks at the sport.

George Sheridan pictured with Blacky after a recent training ride.

I realise I can have a future in the sport now, he said.

There is money in the sport and most riders are involved in business related to it and my ultimate goal now is to compete internationally, he adds.

The sporting talent within the family already has an international flavour with Will Sheridan going on to represent Australia at this years U19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka.

George will now compete against an international field that includes Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney and Athens Olympians Olivia Bunn and Rebel Morrow.

I want to work on my dressage score as the higher percentage you score the less your penalties are for cross country and showjumping.

Liz Sugar has helped me out a lot in dressage which is important as it is the main part of the sport and is the basis for good results, without it, it is hard to place.

I love the adrenaline rush before all events. It is tough at this level as you are against people that stand out. I know what I am aiming to do heading into the events and the experienced guys are always willing to offer advice, I just do my best to relax and not do anything different to training, he added.

With trust between horse and rider crucial to any success in the sport the pair are well suited as Blacky is a former race horse and well suited to Georges love of cross country.

Training involves riding for two hours each day as well as grooming and gallop work. The Bates International is being held from September 7-10.

SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Elimination semi-final McKay Park Batemans Bay, Saturday, August 19.

2.45pm First Grade: Berry Magpies v Batemans Bay Tigers

1pm Under 18: St Georges Basin v Berry Magpies

11.30am Reserve Grade: Berry Magpies v Milton Bulldogs

10am Regan Cup: Mt Warrigal Kooris v Robertson Spuddies

Qualifying semi-finals Ron Costello, Shellharbour, Sunday August 20.

2.45pm First Grade: Shellharbour Sharks v Nowra Warriors

1pm Under 18: Shellharbour Sharks v Warilla Gorillas

11.30am Reserve Grade: Albion Park Eagles v St Georges Basin

10am Regan Cup: Bomaderry Swamp Rats v Albion Park Outlaws

Minor semi finals at Berry Showground

Major semi-finals at Croom Rd, Albion Park

Finals at Cec Glenholmes Oval, Warilla

Grand Final at Nowra Showground.