Equestrian Australia High Performance Weekly Update – 1st February 2021

One month into the New Year and our identified riders are taking part in a steady stream of competitions around the globe. Domestic events offer important opportunities for our athletes to get back into the competition arena following last year’s shortened season and to continue their preparation for Tokyo 2020. Internationally Covid-19 constraints remain at varying levels with some of our riders fortunate to be able to start in their first FEI competitions for the year, while others remain confined. With the severity of restrictions increasing in some countries our Squad riders based in these regions are utilising their time in lockdown to continue their training at home, accessing the High Performance (HP) Program’s virtual facilities and remote coaching platforms, while revising their Tokyo 2020 campaigns. The HP team remain available to all our Squad riders to ensure they are sufficiently supported in accordance with each individual’s specific needs.

We are pleased to advise that the High Performance Strategic Plan, which will carry the Program forward from Tokyo 2020 through to Paris 2024, has been approved and is now ready for implementation. The Strategic plan, which is the culmination of a rigorous consultative process; provides a map to achieve our podium objectives at not only the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also at the World Equestrian Games in 2022. We look forward to sharing the full plan with our stakeholders in the coming days.

In order to ensure the HP Program continues to provide optimal, world-class management we have appointed two new staff members. With the support of the HP Panel and the AIS, it is with great pleasure that we welcome Dianne Saunders and Sharon Jarvis to the HP Team. We are excited to have two such accomplished and seasoned individuals join the fold and we look forward to the valuable contributions they will provide.

Dianne Saunders will fill the role of HP Sport Manager and will look after all administrative functions, with particular focus on supporting and promoting the non-Olympic disciplines. Di brings with her a wealth of knowledge that has been keenly developed over 10 years within the equestrian industry. Di has previously held integral roles with EA including EA Pathways Manager - Officials, and more recently servicing the EA National Discipline Committees. 

To further provide additional resources to HP’s growing Para-equestrian program Paralympian Sharon Jarvis has been appointed to the role of Para-Equestrian Pathways Coordinator. Sharon will be using her vast knowledge of the Para-equestrian landscape to inspire, support and drive grass roots participation across Australia. This will ensure our pool of aspiring Paralympians remain motivated and that they are provided with the necessary opportunities to progress through the HP Para-Equestrian Performance Pathway on their journey to future WEG and Paralympic Games. 

With Tokyo 2020 less than 6 months away we continue to work closely with the FEI, Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Paralympics Australia (PA) and our identified athletes to ensure that each of our combinations is best placed ahead of the postponed Games. The unprecedented disruption caused by Covid-19 has resulted in not only the rescheduling of the Games but also notable amendments to the Tokyo 2020 participation requirements. This has had a significant impact on the qualification criteria across all equestrian sport, including the introduction of compulsory confirmation results for the Olympic disciplines. 

To ensure our athletes meet the amended criteria all Australian selection policies are undergoing further review in consultation with the AOC and PA. We will advise all athletes of any changes as soon as we are able. In the meantime we encourage all High Performance athletes to contact us if they have any queries in relation to these policies. 

As we are now into the beginning of the qualification period for WEG 2022, we are also giving consideration as to how best to provide our athletes with appropriate opportunities to qualify. The increased government restriction on travel has posed some challenges and we are engaging actively with the FEI to determine how we can best overcome these. We will continue to keep all of our athletes and stakeholders informed as we engage in further conversation with the FEI surrounding these important matters.

Last week the Australian equestrian community lost a wonderful advocate and talented veterinarian in Dr Brian Sheahan, who passed away on the 25^th January. Dr Sheahan was a pillar of the Australian veterinary community and a driving force for equine welfare. His passion for the sport of endurance helped to progress the discipline and improve the competition conditions for horses around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Dr Sheahan was widely recognised for his distinguished work, which included his appointment as Chair of the FEI Endurance Committee where he was a prominent voice for reform in the sport. Not only was Dr Sheahan a pioneer in the veterinary field but also his patriotism shone through when he took on the role as Chef d’Equipe of the Australian Endurance Team at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, where the team finished on the podium claiming the bronze medal. The Australian equestrian community mourns the loss of not only a respected and beloved veterinarian, but also a kind, compassionate and warm friend to many. 

Australian Equestrian Team Head Veterinarian Dr. Nathan Anthony spent many years working alongside Dr Sheahan and credits him with leaving the equine world a better place. “Brian was an icon in the veterinary profession. He was a very talented clinician who always demonstrated great integrity, and he showed a real interest in the people around him. Brian’s veterinary contribution to the sport of endurance is unparalleled. His tremendous effort over decades raised the bar for horse welfare both nationally and internationally. Brian was very generous with his time as an educator and he was a very popular mentor to many new young veterinarians including myself. As a recent graduate I was fortunate to spend many late nights with Brian at endurance rides where he taught me how to pick a subtle lameness, from here our friendship grew. As I progressed through the early part of my career Brian would call regularly just to see how I was going. He would always offer wise tips about vetting, business or life; many of which still help me out today. Brian will be sadly missed from the equestrian and veterinary community”. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Sheahan family.

Last week we revealed our new HP initiative for Para-equestrian competitors in the form of a special Gold Medal System. The new award has been developed to encourage and recognise outstanding performances throughout the year for those participating in FEI Para-dressage events. The National Para-Dressage Performance Gold Medals will be awarded to horse/rider combinations that obtain 3 Performances of 70% or more in FEI CPEDI Team and/or Individual Tests (excluding Freestyle tests). For further information and a nomination form click here

As always the health and safety of our people and horses remain our priority as we work together as a high-performance community to navigate through these unprecedented times. 

We thank you all for your continued support and please feel free to contact the High Performance team directly if you have any question