Equestrian Australia High Performance Weekly Update – 24th May 2021

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad are less than two months away, and our entire team continues to diligently prepare for the unprecedented event, and a team experience unlike any other faced by our cohort. Our EA High Performance (HP) staff members have been working tirelessly to ensure their respective departments are well equipped for the Games and that no detail has been overlooked. We also maintain regular communication with not only our identified athletes and support teams, but also with the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and the FEI to ensure all logistical and operational planning reflects the latest information available. 

Our athletes also remain focussed on the goal ahead and they continue to prepare themselves and their horses for potential Tokyo 2020 team selection, utilising a number of FEI qualification events around the globe across the various Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. It is not only our riders who remain committed to the Tokyo 2020 journey, but also the dedicated supporters behind the scenes without whom an Olympic or Paralympic campaign would not be possible. We recognise that the sacrifices and contributions made in the pursuit of Olympic and Paralympic success are not only undertaken by our athletes, but also by their families, significant others, owners, grooms, trainers and support staff; particularly during these unprecedented times. As we approach the postponed Games we wish to acknowledge the team spirit and loyalty shown by all within our cohort who have aided in keeping the Olympic and Paralympic dream alive for our riders.  

Last week we announced that we have welcomed Olympian Amanda Ross to the newly created role of Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Ambassador. Amanda joins the HP team at a time when increasing awareness surrounding athlete wellbeing is at the core of our Program’s development initiatives. The Program has been working closely with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to prioritise a holistic approach in preparing athletes for not only success in the competition arena, but also a career with sustained longevity.  As the Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Ambassador Amanda will draw on her extensive knowledge and experience as an elite athlete to provide additional support to identified riders, and act as a role model for the next generation of equestrians.

In further exciting news for HP two of our staff members have been selected to participate in two professional development programs with the AIS. EA Para-Equestrian Pathways Coordinator, Paralympian and World Equestrian Games bronze medallist Sharon Jarvis has been selected to be a part of the inaugural AIS Accelerate Program, which aims to increase career pathway options in sport for women athletes. Dr. Alison Alcock, EA High Performance Support Manager, is also one of the sixteen women to have been selected for the AIS Talent Program, this year focused on advancing the professional development of women in sport across science, technology, engineering and medical disciplines. Both Sharon and Alison look forward to expanding their capabilities within high performance sport and being able to utilise their new skills to further support our identified equestrian athletes.

This past weekend the Longines FEI Endurance World Championships were held in Pisa San Rossore, Italy with 31 nations taking part. Australia was represented by Andrea Laws-King riding her horse Heathfield’s Bin Sadaqa who finished the competition in 24^th place, from 74 starters. Andrea not only tackled a challenging 160km course, which saw 48 combinations retire prior to completion, she was also only able to travel to Italy a few days prior to the competition due to Australia’s border restrictions. The impressive performance delivered by Andrea and Heathfield’s Bin Sadaqa at the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships shows both the resilience and resolve of our Australian athletes, and we congratulate the combination of their achievement.    

The Australian Olympic Committee has approved and authorised a change to the ‘Nomination Date’ in clause 1.1 of the Tokyo 2020 Eventing Nomination Criteria from 21^st June 2021 to 23^rd June 2021. There has been no further changes made at this time to the Tokyo 2020 Eventing Nomination Criteria outside of clause 1.1 ‘Nomination Date’, and a copy can be found on the EA website.

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 these unprecedented times.