COVID-19 Update from EA High Performance – 6th April, 2020

We hope you are keeping safe, well and healthy.  

We appreciate these are unprecedented and uncertain times for all however as a community we must work together to do our bit to control and minimise the spread of COVID-19. As we know a lot can happen in a short space of time at the moment and we must continue to adhere to the restrictions, be resilient and adapt to the changing situation.

We wish to thank the riders and stakeholders that joined us for the Equestrian Australia (EA) High Performance videoconference that was held last week. 

The videoconference was hosted by the EA High Performance Program and identified riders across all Olympic and Paralympic disciplines were invited to take part. The session included an update from the EA High Performance Team, a Q&A opportunity, information on athlete health and wellbeing, and group discussion surrounding the various ways each individual is continuing to train whilst also minimising the risk and spread of COVID-19. Athletes from Australia, Europe, and America made the effort to come together online to engage in the session, supporting each other and the EA High Performance Program, in this ever-evolving climate.

This unique platform allowed each rider to speak directly with not only EA High Performance staff but also other riders across different disciplines to brainstorm ideas on a variety of subjects including preparing themselves for a postponed Games in 2021. This cross-discipline and multi-regional videoconference produced many positive outcomes and productive discussion. 

In addition our identified riders have been continuing to share with us their training journey throughout this challenging time. They have been providing us with various videos, training exercises and images that we have been sharing with the wider community via our social media channels (Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aussieteamrider/ and Instagram @ausequestrianteam). We will continue to update our audience on the journey of our riders as they re-group and prepare for Tokyo 2020.

With the announcement of the postponement of the Olympic Games to 23^rd July to 8^thAugust, 2021 and the Paralympic Games to 24^th August to 5^th September, 2021 we are now working with the FEI on various matters such as the FEI 2020 and 2021 Calendar, the qualification process and the obtaining of Minimum Eligibility Requirements.  We have already commenced the process of managing a revised High Performance Plan, operational plan and campaign plan in collaboration with our key stakeholders including the FEI, the AOC, Paralympics Australia and the AIS.

The EA High Performance Panel recently met to discuss and approve initial planning, preparation and funding direction for the EA High Performance Program.  This has included a temporary three (3) month hold on all programs and spend together with the EA High Performance staff adopting reduced salary levels in order to preserve the longer term viability of the program. We wish to thank all of the EA High Performance staff and the key stakeholders, including the riders, for being proactive and understanding how we may minimise the risk that the COVID-19 situation has imposed and its impact on our program.

The Chairs of the National Selection Panels are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the impact of the current circumstances on our Tokyo preparation, planning and nomination policies. As there are so many variables still at this stage, we will continue to work hard in adapting these plans and remain available to our stakeholders and endeavour to keep you updated on any progress where we can.

The health and safety of our people and horses remain our priority as we work together as a community in order to navigate through these tough times. 

We thank you all for your understanding and continued support and please feel free to contact the High Performance team directly if you have any questions or queries.