Five Minutes With... Shane Rose and Niki Chapman

Shane Rose and Niki Chapman need little introduction to the equestrian community, with both no stranger to high achievement in the eventing world - a match made in horse heaven!

Both spent a happy childhood filled with horses. Starting out in pony club and working their way up from there, Shane in New South Wales and Niki in Queensland.  After promising early starts and success in the junior ranks, it seemed inevitable that this talented pair should go on to become successful riders and trainers in their adult lives and are now on the Elite Squad with the New South Wales Institute of Sport. 

Shane and Niki purchased their property 'Bimberdeen Park' located at Werombi, NSW (1 hour south west of Sydney) in 2003 and together they set up a racehorse breaking and pre-training facility, along with their performance horse business, which keeps them very busy.

In January this year Shane and Niki were married and they are continuing to go from strength to strength in eventing and in life!

Horsezone's Georgia Fasher caught up with Shane and Niki as they prepare for the Melbourne International 3 Day Event being held 9 - 14 June to find out more about eventing's super couple.

Niki, what made both you and Shane choose eventing as your preferred horse sport?

Shane and I both come from families that were involved with horses.  We both enjoy the variety of eventing and the challenge of competing in different phases.

Who are your favourite horses?

Shane: Peace Matinee the horse that took me from Pony Club to Advanced Eventing.

Niki:  Lion King who was an amazing athlete who took me to my first CCI3* win.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

Shane: being part of the Beijing Olympic Silver medal winning team and winning the Anna Savage Medal three times.

Niki: Representing Australia in the 2003 Trans Tasman competition in New Zealand.

Which horse would you love to own and why?

Moorlands Totalis because we could sell him and pay off our mortgage!

At Weekend of World Cups you finished 1st and 2nd, would it matter which way around it was...is there any rivalry between the two of you?

Bragging rights is always a good thing to have and we do heckle each other on the arena about who is going to beat who.

When was the last time you kicked yourself?

Shane seems to get kicked by horses more often than he kicks himself!

You are away at competitions regularly - who looks after everything at home during your absence?

We are fortunate that we have a fabulous support team at home.  Michelle Robson, Rachel Watts, Soigne Jackson, Danielle Podlewski and Laura Archer take it in turns at staying home to keep the business operating.

Has anything changed since married life?

No, life is very much the same as it was before, we have owned and operated Bimbadeen Park for about seven years, so we already had a big commitment together.

Statford Novalis is for sale - why is he a great horse and who would he suit?

Novalis is a super horse, he is a talented and competitive horse in all Olympic disciplines.  He would be a super schoolmaster for any discipline.

What are your goals for the future?

To produce, compete and sell quality horses.

Shout out to owners and sponsors?

Big thanks to our sponsors who have been a part of our team for many years Horseland, Bates, Ariat, Sharknet, Equestrian Australia and the NSW Institute of Sport. We are fortunate to be supported by a wonderful team of owners who entrust their wonderful horse with us.  Special thanks to the following owners Johnnie Walker, Margaret, Ted and Penny Ledner, Lee Hokianga and Jamie McDonald, Angela Shacklady, Karin Perkins, David and Sandra Burton, Michelle Hasibar and Brett Jones, Debra, Graham and Alex Aldridge, Christine Doan, Marly Calladine, John Boyd and Carol Chapman.

Big dog or little dog?

Big!

Thank you so much for your time, Shane and Niki and best of luck for Melbourne and future competitions!

Quick Links

• Bimberdeen Park Website.
• Statford Novalis' listing on Horsezone.