The Crowe Horwath Albury-Wodonga International Horse Trials will host its 19th multi-discipline competition at the equestrian grounds in Thurgoona on April 1 to 3 this year.

In an effort to make the horse trials a greater spectacle for observers, organisers will stage the two and three star show jumping in the main arena under lights on the Saturday night.

Event secretary Bradley Hayden said the Crowe Horwath-sponsored event continued to play a large part in Australia’s eventing program and he anticipated many of the big names would again be in attendance.

“It’s an Olympic year and this competition will give the top level riders further opportunity to improve their performance in the lead up,” Mr Hayden said.

He said competitors at an event of this type tackle the three disciplines of dressage, cross country and show jumping in their respective classes.

“Some of the top riders may ride several horses over the weekend, but they must complete all three components on the same horse to be eligible for a placing,” he said.

“The highest level at this event and the highlight on the program is the three-star competition.”

Eventing is considered an elite sport and could be best described as an equestrian triathlon.  

The three disciplines require a high level of fitness, skill, determination and courage – for both horse and rider.

In particular, the cross-country component of eventing sees horse and rider galloping over natural terrain, jumping a variety of fixed obstacles along the way.

In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be in peak condition.

The horse must be brave and trust the rider, and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horse's energy as necessary, if they expect to finish well.