Beijing Olympic silver medallist Shane Rose, of Australia; triple winner of Queensland Rider of the Year award, Nikki Chapman; and assistant national Australian coach, Sam Lyle, who is coach for the silver medal-winning Australian Olympic team and a competitive rider in his own right, are the invited international riders this year.
New Zealand Olympic team trialists Emily Butcher and Annabel Wigley will also participate.
The horse trial takes place at the corner of Hunter and Speargrass Flat Rds and is organised by the Wakatipu Pony Club.
The 125 riders will compete over five grades, from pony club introductory to two-star international.
Riders gain points for the leader board and the event is the club's major fundraiser for the season.
The first section of the cross-country course has undergone substantial changes and had extra fences built towards the end of the course since last year's event.
Eventing consists of three disciplines. Dressage starts at 8am, showjumping at 10.15am and cross-country at 10.30am.
"Dressage focuses on set movements with the aim to show calmness, suppleness and harmony between horse and rider," head coach and event director Jan Hunt said.
"Cross-country, which is the most physically demanding phase, consists of up to 28 fences to test the horse and rider's courage and athletic ability.
"Lastly, the showjumping phase tests the horse's training and fitness over coloured poles."
The official viewing and walking track is in the centre of the course.
More than 70 officials, fence judges and volunteers will advise spectators from whence to view the course.
