Aussie national eventing camps look to Normandy and Rio

Shane Rose at the 2013 Eventing clinic

Aussie Eventers both here and in the UK have wrapped up the first National Eventing Camps since the London Games, with their sights now firmly set on Normandy 2014 and Rio 2016.

The team of riders, their owners and Australian team support staff allowed the riders to come together in a teams based environment and work with specialist coaches to put in place strategies and plans for the future.

It was a clash of conditions for the Aussies, with the UK camp in the Cotswolds facing a winter blizzard while the Australian based camp at Wallaby Hill (above) enjoyed sunshine and a balmy 27 degrees.

National Performance Director for Eventing Prue Barrett (below), said both camps were successful and allowed the full Australian team to come together to develop the goals for the program moving forward.

“The camps are a great way for the riders and Australian team management to work as a team to refine our training as well as identify the priorities as our focus now turns to WEG and Normandy and the Rio Olympic Games,” Barrett said.

“It gave the riders the chance to look at not only their goals for the short term and long term, but determine how those goals fit within broader Australian Team priorities.

Rob Palm with dressage coach Brett Parbery at the Australian based camp

“We had great attendance from our horse owners in the UK and they showed great interest in watching their horses train with the coaches. The owners are an integral part of the program so it was great to be able to offer them this opportunity and provide some great 'Australian' hospitality.

“We have some ambitious targets ahead of us as a team, but we believe the group of riders and support team we have in place is ready to take that challenge head on.

A group lesson with showjumping coach Rod Brown

“Our riders are looking forward to competing as a team in the upcoming Trans-Tasman event that will be held next month at the Sydney International Horse Trials,” she said.

The National Eventing Camp also provided the opportunity for selected State Eventing squad riders to attend and learn from top level coaches and be part of the team environment.