Australian Para Equestrian Program Making Strides Towards Tokyo 2020

The EA High Performance Para Equestrian Program continues to go from strength to strength with a strong contingent of riders firmly setting their sights on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Australia has a strong history of success in Para-Dressage at Paralympic level and with the support of the EA High Performance Program, the momentum in the lead up to Tokyo 2020 continues to build.

The dedicated program, which has been shaped around a podium placing at Tokyo 2020, has seen the Para-Equestrian community swell in Australia over the last four years.

With the support of the Australian Institute of Sport, the number of international Para-Dressage competitions held in Australia has continued to grow year on year providing our home-based riders with an increased opportunity to gain their Paralympic qualification.

This year has been a monumental year for the Para Equestrian program seeing four CPEDI competitions hosted in Australia in 2019. In addition there was also a dedicated National Championships, which took place in Victoria earlier this month, incorporating EA National Tests, CPEDN and CPEDI tests. 

In April this year, for the very first time in Australia, a CPEDI was run in conjunction with a major international three-day event. Sydney International Three-Day Event hosted the Para Competition alongside its eventing schedule allowing Australian Paralympic hopefuls the opportunity to gain greater exposure to a busy atmosphere and the large crowds attracted to major events. This helped all athletes better prepare for milestone occasions such as a Paralympic Games, with the final presentations taking place in the main arena at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

The Carlton Performance Horses Para Dressage National Championships also saw a record number of combinations entered into the CPEDI international competition. Not only were the competitor numbers the highest on record in Australia to date but the Australian team also registered a record-breaking qualification team score, creeping ever closer to securing Australia a team place for Tokyo 2020.

“The quality and dedication of our Para athletes is something we are all proud of. The program continues to develop and we are seeing record numbers of competitors taking part in CPEDI’s and vying for a place on the team for Tokyo 2020. With the number of promising combinations we have at present, and the scores that are being delivered, we are very optimistic regarding the team heading into Tokyo 2020” said EA High Performance Director Chris Webb.

Paralympian, Sharon Jarvis says “It is a very positive step forward that the EA High Performance Para Equestrian Program has taken in holding several CPEDI events in Australia in the lead up to Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. This allows the riders to have exposure to Judges who will be officiating at the Paralympics. 

Exposure like this is invaluable in our sport. The recent National Para Championships were a great success as the competition saw grass roots riders competing in EA Para National tests through to FEI Para competition. This is a great stepping-stone for the development of riders for the future of our sport. It also provided a good environment and atmosphere for the top riders to compete in, which is beneficial for those wishing to compete internationally in the future.”