National Eventing Squads Undergo Half-Yearly Review

Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan Celebrate victory at Saumur CCI3* Photograph:Les Garennes/EA

National Eventing Selectors have completed their half-yearly review of the ‘2014 Normandy’ and ‘2016 Rio’ eventing squads. 

Among those to join the ‘2016 Rio squad’ are the top two placegetters from the recent Melbourne International Three Day Event CCI3*, Katja Weimann (BP Flamboyant) and Sonja Johnson (Belfast Mojito).

Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan also join the national program on the ‘2014 Normandy’ squad following a strong performance at Saumur CCI3*.

Whilst the number of combinations on the 2016 Rio squad has increased, there has been a reduction in the number of combinations on the 2014 Normandy squad.

National Performance Director for Eventing, Prue Barrett says the new national squad requirements have raised the bar and demand more of our athletes and is essential if Australia is to achieve its eventing medal targets at the forthcoming World Championships and Olympic Games.

“The policy is based on obtaining benchmark scores to achieve positions on the relevant squads. The benchmarks are directed towards achieving stronger performances and medal outcomes at both WEG in Normandy 2014 and the Olympic Games at Rio in 2016.

“Whilst there are only two combinations which have been able to achieve the 2014 squad benchmark, we have a number of riders who are very much on the periphery of these squads.

“With a number of competitions yet to come in 2013 both here in Australia and the UK, we anticipate a very different look to these squads at the end of year review.

"The High Performance program is working closely with the riders who we believe are on track to obtaining these world class scores,” she said.

Congratulations to the combinations which have been selected on the national eventing squads:

2014 Normandy Squad
Rider	Horse	Owner(s)
Paul Tapner	Kilronan	Penny & Fred Barker and Paul Tapner
Bill Levett	Shannondale Titan	Clare Prentice

 

2016 Rio Squad
Rider	Horse	Owner(s)
Andrew Hoy	Cheeky Calimbo	Christiane Classen & Andrew Hoy
Bill Levett	Improvise	Ali & Sam Butler and Jenny Levett
Craig Barrett	Sandhills Brillaire	Keith and Juliet Osborne
Emma Mason	Poker Face	Emma Mason
Katja Weimann	BP Flamboyant	Katja Weimann
Kevin McNab	Casperelli	Pieternella Barnard
Lucinda Fredericks	Flying Finish	Lucinda Fredericks, Angus Murray and Richard Ames
Paul Tapner	Indian Mill	Mr & Mrs C McGinn & Paul Tapner
Tim Boland	GV Billy Elliot	Waratah Equestrian
Shane Rose	Virgil	Shane Rose & Michelle Hasibar
Shane Rose	CP Qualified	Shane Rose & Elizabeth Wischer
Sonja Johnson	Belfast Mojito	Rebecca & Simon Bell

by: Equestrian Australia