Equestrian Australia High Performance Weekly Update and Yearly Wrap – 14th December 2020

We hope you have all been keeping safe and that you are preparing to spend the festive season with loved ones. This will be our final EA High Performance (HP) Weekly Update for 2020 as we break for the Christmas period.

As we approach the end of 2020 we take time to reflect on how different this year has been to the one we had all prepared for. However, amid the uncertainty that continues to plague the world we are inspired by the resilience shown by our riders and their many triumphs and accomplishments this year in spite of the global pandemic. Although we predicted the end of 2020 to look markedly different from the one that is presented to us we are nonetheless proud of the determination and adaptability demonstrated by our High Performance athletes, support team and staff this year.

Our High Performance athletes have remained formidable in their Tokyo 2020 preparations and continued delivering solid results in the competition arena both domestically and internationally. With so many notable performances to acknowledge we wish to highlight a few of the results obtained in line with our High Performance strategies and outcomes for 2020.

Earlier this year the Australian Jumping Team took part the FEI Nations Cup competition held in Wellington, Florida (USA). The competition provided our identified athletes with the valuable opportunity to compete in a team environment as they prepared for Tokyo 2020. The team of four riders delivered outstanding performances to finish on the podium in 3^rd place against some of the world’s most decorated jumping riders. 

Driving legend Boyd Exell yet again demonstrated his supremacy this year conquering the Driving world and claiming his ninth FEI Driving World Cup Final title in February. In addition Boyd and his team also secured multiple podium finishes at FEI competitions throughout 2020. 

We saw three new Australian records set in the Dressage arena this year. Simone Pearce and the black stallion Destano set two new Australian records at CDI3*-W Brno (CZE) in the Grand Prix, with a score of 76.261%, and in the Grand Prix Special scoring 77.894%. Olympian Mary Hanna and her mare Calanta made history this year when they became the first Australian combination to score above 80 percent in a CDI Grand Prix Freestyle test, breaking the Australian record with an impressive 80.145% at Willinga Park in February. 

Despite the small number of 3-Day Events available due to Covid-19, we have seen outstanding results produced by our Eventing athletes across the globe. The intense training undertaken by our athletes during lockdown has seen our Australian riders shine, particularly in the dressage phase of the competition with many of our identified combinations consistently scoring sub 30. Recently HP Gold Squad athlete Shane Rose set a record at the prestigious Wallaby Hill International 3-Day-Event by producing the best ever dressage score in the CCI4*-L, going on to win the competition for the third consecutive year – the first rider in the history of the event to do so.

Our dedicated Para-equestrian program, which has been shaped around a podium placing at Tokyo 2020, has seen the Para-equestrian community swell in Australia despite the lack of events this year. Our Paralympic short listed athletes attended a Tokyo Test Event, which was held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre prior to the onset of Covid-19 restrictions. The Test Event was developed to replicate the logistical framework of a Paralympic Games and provided the opportunity for riders to experience these conditions under competition pressure within a dedicated team environment. The riders were able to compete in front of acclaimed international judges with all riders producing very promising scores ahead of the Games next year.

Prior to the disruption of Covid-19 an unmounted Eventing Camp was held in the United Kingdom for our identified athletes and was attended by both Australian and overseas-based riders. The camp was immersive in nature and explicitly designed with a focus on high-performance tactics to inspire success and ensure our riders are well equipped moving into the selection period. The camp utilised multiple sporting industry specialists, team-building exercises, technical advisers and veterinary information sessions to make certain the athletes are as prepared as possible to deliver their best performance at the Games.

In contrast to the unwelcome disruptions of Covid-19 the HP Program has seen unparalleled levels of engagement and athlete participation throughout this year. At a time when reinvention has never been more vital our Program has demonstrated versatility, innovation and adaptability without compromising the quality of its delivery. Building on the strong foundations already established, our world-class program has reshaped its learning platform, expanding our interactive virtual component and successfully closing the distance between our riders, coaches, and staff. All of our riders have regularly engaged in virtual workshops and seminars covering a variety of topics hosted by industry experts. Not only has this new addition to the HP Program allowed our riders to access vital training and specialist advice it has also allowed the riders to feel closer than ever to their teammates regardless of their geographical location.

As we stand on the edge of a New Year our pursuit of podium success at the postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games remains our priority. We continue to revise our logistical and operational plans, in consultation with the FEI, Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia, to ensure all necessary measures are taken to protect the health and safety of our athletes, horses and support staff. The HP Program continues to be guided by the sound leadership of the High Performance Panel who have provided stability and direction through the various changes faced by EA this year and has ensured our Program governance remains unparalleled.  

The HP Program continues to welcome the ongoing support of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) who remains the sole financial contributor to the HP Program. All funding received is allocated in accordance with AIS policy requirements and we continue to utilise no EA membership funds in the delivery of our Program.

As the HP Program moves from strength to strength we keep our sights firmly set on the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games next year. The level of preparation, training, scientific application, veterinary care, safety measures and attention to detail is unprecedented to date in the lead up to a Games, and we look forward to delivering once again on the world stage.

We wish to thank all of our athletes, stakeholders, support teams, and staff for your unwavering support and continued confidence. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to sharing the journey to the Tokyo Games with you in 2021.