Stuart Tinney, Kevin McNab, Chris Burton, Andrew Hoy, Shane Rose, Sammi Birch, Amanda Ross and Hazel Shannon, along with Equestrian Australia coaches, grooms and High Performance staff have gathered in the UK as part of their Tokyo 2020 preparation
Photo courtesy EA Facebook page
A number of Australia’s top eventing riders have taken part in a High Performance Eventing Camp in the UK over the past few days as part of Equestrian Australia’s preparation for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
UK-based eventing riders Andrew Hoy, Kevin McNab, Sammi Birch and Chris Burton are among those who were joined by Australian-based eventers Shane Rose, Stuart Tinney, Amanda Ross and Hazel Shannon at the camp in Surrey, England which started on 24th February
The camp has incorporated sessions with sporting industry specialists, including time with Rugby England Head Coach Eddie Jones, team-building exercises, technical advisers and veterinary information sessions as part of the build-up to Tokyo 2020.
“This off–horse camp is an important part of our planning ahead of Tokyo 2020 to ensure our riders are well equipped moving into the selection period” said EA High Performance Director, Chris Webb on the Team Australia Facebook page
“We have a fantastic schedule of technical, practical, and specialised workshops throughout the week which takes a holistic approach to our Olympic preparation”
Equestrian Australia announced its latest High Performance Eventing squads on February 11th 2020 with 12 athletes named on its two top tiers (Gold – Podium and Podium Ready and Green –Podium Potential), who are under consideration for Tokyo 2020 selection
A recent campaign on social media has focussed on Equestrian Australia selection processes and the role of the Australian International 3 Day Event as a ‘selection event’, suggesting that the winner should be automatically selected for an Olympic team
However, Greg Rolton, Chairman of the Australian International 3 Day Event points out that the role of the event in the selection process is simply to provide the standard of competition to enable competitors to meet the eligibility requirements
"The Australian International 3 Day Event provides the only FEI 5 Star competition in the southern hemisphere to support horse and rider combinations to compete at the highest level. First, by successfully competing at this standard, combinations demonstrate that they are on par with riders across the world. Second, the Aus3DE provides the stage for the panel of Australian selectors to appraise equestrian sport’s best combinations on home soil”
“The Aus3DE is not involved in the appraisal process, the role of the event is to meet the requirement of the FEI in providing the 5 Star competition and is one of a number of Australian three day events that provides riders with the opportunity to gain an MER (Minimum Eligibility Requirement) to compete at the Olympics"
The final eventing team announcement date is subject to approval by the Australian Olympic Commission however Equestrian Australia hopes to be announcing the Tokyo 2020 eventing team on or around June 25th 2020
Hazel Shannon and Clifford, winners of the 2019 Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide
