Good Luck in Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games

The Special Olympics World Games is being held in Abu Dhabi this March. There are 105 athletes attending from Australia, four of whom are competing in the equestrian events.

Special Olympics Equestrian encompasses several disciplines and has been a showcase at the Special Olympics World Games since its first appearance in 1987. 

The riders selected to compete for Australia were selected at a National Special Olympics event held in Adelaide. While 38 competitors entered the Nationals, there were only four available spots on the team. Each of the riders that earned a place on this team won gold medals at the national event.

Our Australian riders include: 

Nathan Harvey (QLD) 

"I'm excited to ride for my country, I feel so overwhelmed and proud."

Jordan Hill (WA) 

"I am excited to meet lots of athletes from around the world and at the same time represent my country in Equestrian."

Shelby Davis-Hill (QLD) 

"I'm excited to represent Australia, getting to ride other people’s horses, making new friends and travelling to another country."

Willow Hersnat (QLD) 

"I'm excited to go to a new country and represent Australia."

Chris Nott, coach of the equestrian team said, "I am a very proud coach, every one of them deserves to be on that team".

Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, the first two days will be taken up with horse selection for the riders. With 151 equestrian athletes from 179 countries (some countries don't have equestrian competitiors), careful selection of each mount is an important process.

Riders are categorised into three divisions. C-Division is walk only; B-Division is walk and trot; A-Division is walk, trot and canter.

Jordan, Shelby and Willow are all competeing in B-Division; Nathan is out on his own as our only A-Division rider. 

Over four days of equestrian competion, all of the Australian riders are competing in both English Equitation and Dressage. The B-Division riders will go on to compete in the Western Trail event. Nathan is the only one of our riders also competing in Equitation Jumping.

The whole team leaves tomorrow, 7th March 2019, after being seen off at a big farewell ceremony led by the Governor General at the airport.

A-Division rider Nathan Harvey is looking forward to the dressage and jumping

The excitement and build up for these riders has been intense, so much effort and preparation has gone into making sure they are ready for the Games.

Nathan was so keen he arrived at the airport a day early! But better to be a day early than a day late.

Upon his return in three weeks, our A-Division rider will be back to steady training in preparation for Boneo Park FEI Para-Equestrian. He will be riding in Open classes, to improve his riding among the best of them.

Good luck to all our riders, we wish you well.