Craig Barrett accepts the Anna Savage trophy from Pam Savage and Scott Donner
The 2013 prestigious Anna Savage Medal for the rider voted the ‘Best and Fairest’ of the year was awarded to Craig Barrett at the Australian International 3 Day Event.
After accepting the award from Pam Savage, Anna’s mum, Craig made a speech, which you can listen to below. Craig acknowledged just a few of the many good South Australian events and people who have helped to mould equestrian sport in Australia over the years. Included in this list is Jim Dunn, an icon of eventing in Australia, who was too poorly to attend this year’s event and our thoughts go to Jim and his family at this time.
The prestigious Anna Savage Foundation was created following the tragic death of Anna Savage in a fall during the cross country phase of the Naracoorte Horse Trials in 1997. At the time Anna was listed on the Elite Eventing Squad and was working towards Olympic selection for Sydney 2000. She had successfully represented Australia on numerous Trans Tasman teams, and had also travelled abroad representing Australia at international events.
Anna representing Australia in New Zealand in 1995 with her much loved horse Jahl
The Foundation was set up to honour Anna and celebrate her achievements as one of our country’s finest equestrian athletes and a favourite competitor amongst her peers.
At each of the three CCI events in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney competitors in the CCI 3* and 4* classes are awarded votes against the three set criteria of competitive excellence, horsemanship and sportsmanship. The votes are taken from the following judges at each event:-
- Senior Australian member of the Ground Jury
- Senior Veterinary Delegate
- Technical Delegate
- Chief FEI Steward
- Chairman of National Selectors (eventing)
- Riders Representative (if present)
The rider who accumulates the most votes after all three events is presented the perpetual medal and a winner’s cheque to the value of $5,000 to help them fulfil their international dreams of representing Australia and wearing the green and gold.
