For over two decades the Lynton Horse Trials, now in its 26th year, has been a labour of love for Neil and Georgina Kennedy.

The couple have been busy preparing the properties of Lynton and Braemar House, just outside of Goulburn, to go at it again when the event kicks off this Friday.

“It’s one of the biggest eventing competitions in the country,” Mr Kennedy told the Post.

“It’s only behind, the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide events, and we regularly draw riders from interstate. We can expect an excess of 300 horses.”

The trials sees competitors (horse and riders) compete in three separate competitions, dressage, show jumps, and cross country.

It’s a three star event, meaning it’s only one star below an event of Olympic quality standard. But the trials will cater for competitors at all levels.

“It’s the first event people put into their calendars,” president of Eventing NSW Shane Rose told the Post.

“It’s also one of the more picturesque competitions and the Kennedys do a fantastic job at preparing and presenting the courses.”

Rose is a former 2008 Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist.

He’ll be competing this weekend alongside other Olympians such as 2000 Sydney Olympic Games gold medallist Stuart Tinney, and fellow Beijing silver medallist Megan Jones.

“It’s one of the more populated events outside of the metro areas,” Rose said.

Rose explains many riders use the event as a precursor to the Southern Hemisphere’s only four star event which is held in Adelaide later this month.

Prestigious four star events are mostly held in locations such as England, France and the USA.

But Kennedy says the cross-country course is set to challenge even the most experienced riders.

“It’s always the most challenging phase because the horses don’t know what they’re doing until they’ve jumped it,” Kennedy said.

“So it’s extraordinary trust in their jumping. They have to be well trained to get to a level where they can’t see the landing.

They’re jumping into water, they’re jumping into ditches and so it takes a long time, with the combinations to build up to that level.”

Locally, competitors include up and comer Madeline Prell and Samantha Stamatellis.

They’ll kick things off on the Sunday for the dressage events. Saturday will see the beginning of the show jump and cross country events. “I’d definitely like more people to come out,” Kennedy said.

“It’s a great outing and a great spectacle plus it’s free entry and there is plenty to see. It’s also nice to walk around the property, it’s an amazing place.”