Kristy Haworth and Lisa McLennan from Mortlake, Ashley Kurzman from Timboon, Aime McMaugh from Ellerslie and Jonathan Smith from Birregurra will compete with five other finalists from Gippsland at Werribee this weekend for a place in the top three.

The winner will be decided the following weekend.

Selection criteria for the finals included performance and knowledge, with riders having to submit their best performance over 1.1 to 1.3 metres and completing a questionnaire that tested showjumping and general horse knowledge.

They will have to take part in written and oral exams, as well as a showjumping competition over a course described as extremely difficult by course builder, coach and ambassador selector, Jamie Murray.

They will then have to give a speech on a topic chosen by the selectors only half an hour before it is to be delivered.

This will test their knowledge and demonstrate how they can handle public speaking - a necessary skill for the ambassador's role.

The three finalists will then compete the following weekend at Werribee Mansion, where they will deliver another speech to selectors Jamie Murray, Paul Brent and Michele Wareing before attending a gala dinner where the winner will be announced.

Finalists will also be competing for the ambassador roles in the dressage, eventing and show horse sections.

WHAT' S ON

July 18: Dressage (official) Grampians RC. Entries close July 7. Phone Matt 0409 109 073.

July 23-25: Mary Hover Clinic, Yarraman Park, Portland. Contact Nat Goldsworthy 8721 1922.

July 24-25: Dressage judges seminar, Glenormiston Agricultural College. Contact M. Kelly 0429 998 202.

July 26: Melton Plains RC showjumping (official). Phone Sally 9747 6201.

August 21-22: David Mellor Silver Sands horsemanship clinic, Highview Horse Complex. Contact Sacha Gasperini on 0419 242 189 for details.

Nov 18 - 21: Equitana Asia Pacific. www.equitana.com.au.

I f you have something that you would like included in Horse Talk please contact Annette Chisholm on 0437 986 761.