Australia’s equestrian stars make bold announcement
Saturday, 24 August 2013

A year out from the 2014 World Equestrian Games and Australian hopefuls have put the world on notice – the Aussies are coming.

To celebrate the one year to go mark, 16 of Australia’s top athletes appear in a special milestone poster which Australian equestrian fans are being encouraged to share with their friends via Facebook and Twitter.

Among the athletes who appear in the poster are Olympic gold medallists Andrew Hoy and Stuart Tinney, dual world driving champion Boyd Exell, Paralympic gold medallist Joann Formosa and Olympic silver medallist Shane Rose. (A full list of the athletes which appear in the attached poster is contained at the end of this press release).

It’s been almost a year since Joann Formosa took her place atop the dais at the London 2012 Paralympic Games but the memories haven’t faded for the Victorian based rider.

“I remember London like it was yesterday and the journey since then has been unreal.

“Everyone has been really encouraging of me and I really hope I get another chance to represent my country.”

If Formosa is selected to represent Australia at next year’s Games she’ll be aiming to double her London prize pool.

“I want two gold medals next time,” she said.

“London taught me that anything’s possible and now that I’ve tasted gold I know what I have to do to achieve it again.”

“I’m in a much stronger position now than leading into London because I’ve had a chance to experience the competition and that’s really helped my confidence,” Formosa said.

Meanwhile Australia’s National Performance Director for Eventing, Prue Barrett says the eventing team’s preparations for next year’s Games are also on track.

At last week’s test event, team officials and some of Australia’s national squad riders were given a chance to view the facilities and experience the conditions that teams will encounter when the main event gets underway.

“Le Pin is a great venue and the facilities are looking great,” Barrett said.

“There are some things still to be finalised but everything appears to be progressing according to plan.

“A key observation for our team coming out of the event is the impact the cross country phase will have on the overall result. It’s going to be a long and hilly course that will really test the stamina and endurance of the horses.

“This has traditionally been the type of course that Australian combinations excel at,” she said.

The Australian Equestrian Team’s online hub http://www.weg14.equestrian.org.au will contain the latest news and updates on Australian riders campaigning for the Games. Visit the website to sign-up to the AET’s e-Newsetter and you could win one of five Normans – the official mascot of the 2014 World Equestrian Games.

Michelle Cook
Media and Marketing Executive
Equestrian Australia