Equestrian Australia (EA) has today announced the 2012 National Squads. The “Elite” and “A” listed combinations for each discipline; Dressage, Eventing, Jumping and Para-Equestrian will form the Shadow Teams for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Brett Mace, Equestrian Australia’s High Performance Manager, explains the composition of the Shadow Teams. “The “Elite” listed combinations are presently the front-runners for the Olympic and Paralympic teams. However, I am sure our “A” Squad members will make the most of every opportunity to claim a place on the team through exceptional performances in the lead up to London.
“Through the National Performance Directors and Selection panels, we will continue to monitor our combinations at major events prior to nominations being due to the Australian Paralympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee in May and June,” he said.
EA will nominate the teams to the Australian Olympic Committee on or before the following dates; Dressage and Jumping (6 June 2012) and Eventing (18 June 2012). EA will nominate the Para-Equestrian team to Australian Paralympic Committee on 24 May 2012. “With a mixture of experienced Olympians and Paralympians on these Shadow Teams, along with some very high quality riders looking to make their first Olympic/Paralympic team, I am confident we can justify our high expectations for medal performances in London,” added Mr. Mace.
EA would like to congratulate the riders, owners and teams behind the selected combinations. 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Shadow Squads are below:
EVENTING (Information to come shortly)
DRESSAGE 2012 Dressage National Elite Squad
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Chantal Wigan | Ferero | Chantal Wigan and Gary Fairman |
| Heath Ryan | Regardez Moi | Heath and Rozzie Ryan |
| Lyndal Oatley | Potifar | Andrew and Carol Oatley |
| Mary Hanna | Sancette | Mary and Rob Hanna |
| Mary Hanna | Umbro | Mary and Rob Hanna |
| Rachael Sanna | Jaybee Alabaster | Beverley and John Edwards |
2012 Dressage National A Squad
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Alexandra Berns | Kings Legend | Alexandra Berns |
| Brett Parbery | Lord of Loxley | Clyde Wunderwald |
| Brett Parbery | Good As Gold | Carolyn Lieutenant |
| Brett Parbery | DP Weltmeiser | Susan Duddy |
| Hayley Beresford | Belissimo NRW | Zucht-u Sportpferde Schmidt GmbH |
| Kelly Layne | Raja | Kelly Layne |
| Maree Tomkinson | Diamantina | Maree Tomkinson |
| Matthew Dowsley | PSI De Caprio | Andrea Beatty |
| Rozzie Ryan | GV Bullwinkle | Olivia Bunn |
JUMPING National Elite Squad
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Amy Graham | Bella Baloubet | Caroline and Mark Graham |
| EdwinaTops-Alexander | Cevo Itot du Chateau | Edwina Tops-Alexander |
| Edwina Tops-Alexander | Vluet | Edwina Tops-Alexander |
| Paul Athanasoff | Wirragulla Nicklaus | Charlie Hooke and Paul Athanasoff |
| Matt Williams | Watch Me VD Mangelaar | Paul Williams |
| Julia Hargreaves | Vedor | Lesley and Julia Hargreaves |
| Jamie Kermond | Colthaga | Jacqueline, Robert and Genevieve Cox |
| Jamie Kermond | Valhalla 3 | Russell Desmond |
National A Squad
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Alison Rowland | Bickley Brook Bella | Nicol Taylor and Alison Rowland |
| Andrew Inglis | Amira | Andrew Inglis and Jenny Sheppard |
| Billy Raymont | Ocean Beach NZPH | Warwick and Bridget Hansen |
| Clem Smith | Florina | Clem Smith and Lisa Lucas |
| David Dobson | AS Akon | Tim Clark |
| James Passey | Yirrkala Cortina | Sue Knox |
| Sharon Slater | CP Ulixes | Sharon Slater |
| Tim Clarke | Caltango | Tim and Ingrid Clarke |
PARA-EQUESTRIAN 2012 Para-Equestrian National Elite Squad
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Grace Bowman | Kirby Park Irish Joy | Grace Bowman |
| Hannah Dodd | Waikiwi | Victoria McBeath |
2012 Para-Equestrian National Elite Squad - HOLD
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Sharon Jarvis | Applewood Odorado | Sharon Jarvis |
2012 Para-Equestrian National A Squad
| Rider | Horse | Owner |
| Chelsea Higgins | Holstein Park Comedian | Chelsea Higgins |
| Elizabeth (Anne) Skinner | Aubaine Cossack | Elizabeth Skinner |
| Elizabeth Sobecki | Ponderosa Stud Lucarno | Elizabeth Sobecki |
| Fleur Litster | Penroban Augustus | Fleur Litster |
| Jan Pike | Pinky | Catherine Shelley |
| Joann Formosa | Worldwide PB | Joann Formosa |
| Jan Pike | Pinky | Catherine Shelley |
| Lesley Smit | Willow Tree Serendipity | Lesley Smit |
| Nicole Blanks | Just A Gem | Veronica Steward |
| Nikki Doogue | Ricacho | Nikki Doogue |
| Rob Oakley | Statford Mantovani | Jose Mendez |
Note: Combinations will not be listed on the EA National Squads unless they have returned their signed ‘Consent to Nomination Form’ to the EA office. The inclusion of some combinations is still pending this paperwork and they will be added in due course. Combinations not currently listed may be added to the Shadow Teams in the coming months should performances warrant their inclusion. EA National Young Rider Squads will be announced at the end of January.
