Macclesfield equestrian Will Enzinger has set his sights on the Beijing Olympics.By Paul Pickering
MACCLESFIELD equestrian Will Enzinger is saddling up for a year-long horseback journey that could take him as far as Beijing.
The 27-year-old will be among competitors vying for Olympic selection at the prestigious 2007 Melbourne International Three-Day Event in Werribee from June 8 to 11.
Enzinger and his trusty steed Badger Bay will be competing against the likes of Sydney 2000 gold-medallist Stuart Tinney in the elite three-star section, combining the disciplines of dressage, showjumping and cross-country.
Enzinger has lived in the hills all his life and now resides on his parents’ nine-hectare property in Macclesfield.
In his downtime from competing and training, Enzinger teaches horse riding from his home arena.
“Horse riding is my full-time occupation and hobby in one,” he said.
His wife, Emily Anchor, is currently in New Zealand competing in the Australian Trans-Tasman equestrian team.
Enzinger admits that his love for horses has become all-consuming since he began competing at the age of 16.
He says there are few better places to pursue a passion for horse riding.
“The hills is a huge equestrian area and Macclesfield, in particular, is extremely horsey.
“Every second property has its own arena.”
After completing his VCE at St Joseph’s College in Ferntree Gully, Enzinger went to New South Wales to train before returning to Melbourne to set up his own teaching business.
While he acknowledges that the upcoming trials will provide stiff competition, he is optimistic about the development of his new mount.
“Badger Bay is the best horse I’ve ever had,” he said. “But this is our first event together and I don’t want to rush him.”
Enzinger is hopeful that with more time together they will be a formidable pair later in the qualification season.
It is clear that he has already formed a special bond with Badger Bay, which is owned by Rowville couple Barry and Jean Hare.
“I wouldn’t have the horse if it wasn’t for them,” he said.
“I owe so much to them, they’ve been amazing.”
While he is relaxed and philosophical about his chances now, Enzinger says the atmosphere of professional eventing is fiercely competitive.
“In the major meets it’s game on,” he said.
“When you get there, you spend the entire week in three-day event land.
“We often comment that during that time we have absolutely no idea what’s going on in the real world.”
“Europe could be under attack and we wouldn’t know.”
Enzinger is hoping there will be many hills horsemen and women cheering him on over the weekend – but perhaps they shouldn’t expect him to notice them in the crowd.
