National Eventing Squads undergo half-yearly review

Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan 
Celebrate victory at Saumur CCI3* 
Photograph:Les Garennes

Among those to join the ‘2016 Rio squad’ are the top two placegetters from the recent Melbourne International Three Day Event CCI3*, Katja Weimann (BP Flamboyant) and Sonja Johnson (Belfast Mojito).

Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan also join the national program on the ‘2014 Normandy’ squad following a strong performance at Saumur CCI3*.

Whilst the number of combinations on the 2016 Rio squad has increased, there has been a reduction in the number of combinations on the 2014 Normandy squad.

National Performance Director for Eventing, Prue Barrett says the new national squad requirements have raised the bar and demand more of our athletes and is essential if Australia is to achieve its eventing medal targets at the forthcoming World Championships and Olympic Games.

“The policy is based on obtaining benchmark scores to achieve positions on the relevant squads. The benchmarks are directed towards achieving stronger performances and medal outcomes at both WEG in Normandy 2014 and the Olympic Games at Rio in 2016.

“Whilst there are only two combinations which have been able to achieve the 2014 squad benchmark, we have a number of riders who are very much on the periphery of these squads.

“With a number of competitions yet to come in 2013 both here in Australia and the UK, we anticipate a very different look to these squads at the end of year review.

"The High Performance program is working closely with the riders who we believe are on track to obtaining these world class scores,” she said.

Congratulations to the combinations which have been selected on the national eventing squads: