Equestrian Australia High Performance Weekly Update – 15th June 2021

With less than one week to go until the conclusion of the FEI qualification period for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games our athletes remain focussed on their preparation and performance planning in anticipation of team selection. As per the Tokyo 2020 Nomination Criteria for Equestrian, Dressage and Jumping teams will be nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee on Monday 21^st June 2021 and Eventing will be nominated on Wednesday 23^rd June 2021. All teams will be publicly announced on Friday 25^th June 2021. This allows time for all athlete notifications to take place, both successful and unsuccessful, and any appeals should they arise. We continue to actively monitor the Covid-19 situation across the globe and are in regular contact with our identified athletes regarding the latest information and protocols relevant to their geographical locations. Our Victorian based athletes remain in lockdown and we are working closely with them to ensure they are supported throughout these tough times as they prepare for the easing of restrictions later this week.  

This past weekend, a number of our international athletes competed in FEI competition across Europe, UK and North America as part of their final efforts prior to team selection. Globally our athletes continue to put their best foot forward as they accomplish notable performances, adding to the already impressive record of results achieved by Australian combinations over the past year. Our Australian based athletes are likewise focussed on prospective selection and ensuring they, and their horses and teams, remain in the best position possible. Eventing, Dressage and Para-dressage qualification events in Australia are now complete, however our Australian based jumping combinations still have one final opportunity to obtain their Minimum Eligibility Requirement this week at Gatton World Cup.

We welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision last week to recommend the Brisbane proposal to host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, bringing Australia one step closer to securing a home Games. The possibility to host the Games once again on home soil would provide a positive incentive, and would be a wonderful motivator, for our High Performance riders. Inspiring not only those in our current and future cycles, but also the wider equestrian community.  We look forward to a positive outcome of the IOC Members Session vote in Tokyo next month.

In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours List equestrian Paralympian Jan Pike was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to people with disability. The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have displayed remarkable service or exceptional achievement, an accolade for which Jan was deservedly nominated. Jan, who has Cerebral Palsy Quadriplegia, represented Australia at two Paralympic Games, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. At the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Jan and her horse Dr Doulittle secured both silver and bronze medals for Australia. Jan and Dr Doulittle won a silver medal for their performance in the Grade I Individual Championship and a bronze medal in the Grade I Freestyle test. We would like to congratulate Jan on being recognised for her accomplishments and contributions to both equestrian sport and those with disability. Jan is also an Honorary Life member of Equestrian Australia, and still remains a wonderful mentor to many riders as well as a passionate advocate for Para-athletes

We continue to work closely with the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and the FEI to ensure that our operational and logistical planning accelerates ahead of the postponed Games and stays progressive in its approach. All High Performance departments and staff members remain dedicated to the safe delivery of our horses and athletes in Tokyo, and to the ultimate podium objectives of our team. We are eagerly awaiting the release of the final Tokyo 2020 Playbooks, which will outline all protocols and safety measure in place to protect those in attendance at the Games. Once the Playbooks have been received we will enter the final stages of our preparations.

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.