Equestrian WA

JARVIS SELECTED FOR RIO

The Australian Paralympic Committee yesterday announced the 2016 Australian Paralympic Equestrian team set to compete in Rio in September.

WA-based rider, Sharon Jarvis, is one of four riders to have been selected for the team. As the only rider on the team to have previously competed at a Paralympic Games, Jarvis will lead teammates - Emma Booth from Victoria, and Katie Umback and Lisa Martin both from New South Wales – to the equestrian arena at Deodoro Stadium.

Jarvis, who resides in Donnybrook, has limited strength and movement on her left side as a result of bone cancer. She has been training for eight years after narrowly missing out on a medal when she placed fourth in the individual championship event at the 2008 Beijing Games, and then missing selection for London in 2012.

At Rio, she will be competing with her Dutch Warmblood, Ceasy, who she competes in the Grade III class. Sharon says “I’m looking forward to seeing the Australian flag fly at another Paralympic Games. It is a very exciting opportunity to be selected, and makes all the hard work over the years well worth it. My main motivation has been to get to another Games so I can have another shot at the podium. I want to show that cancer sufferers and survivors can achieve great things, and I want to show everyone in country WA that they can get there too,” she said.

If you would like to help Sharon on her journey to Rio, you can make a tax-deductible donation at www.sharonjarvis.com.

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LEG UP FOR THE RIO TRIO

Whilst we acknowledge the tremendous support given to the riders by the AOC and Equestrian Australia, there are still so many costs to cover throughout the Australian Olympic Equestrian Team's campaign. Help these riders to achieve their dream of representing Australia at the Rio Olympic Games this year by donating to this fund. WA's very own Sonja Johnson is in the running for a spot in the Rio team, so show your support and donate today. Every dollar helps!

Click here for more information.

VALLEY EQUINE VETERINARY CENTRE

EWA and the WA Eventing Committee would like to thank Warwick Vale and the team at Valley Equine Veterinary Centre for their continued support of our state's eventing community.

Valley Equine Veterinary Centre provides $2500 cash each year to Eventing WA, plus veterinary attendance at one WA FEI CIC/CCI event in an FEI Veterinary Delegate Capacity, and two annual veterinary lectures to WA Eventing Squad Members. They also sponsor the FEI Young Eventing Rider of the Year Award, which aims to foster the young eventing rider into FEI competitions. The award includes a prize for the most outstanding and successful horse/rider combination of the year and allows for some financial assistance for further training/education for that combination during the following year.

Click here for more information on the FEI Young Eventing Rider of the Year Award.

Click here to visit the Valley Equine Vet Centre website.

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HALF-STAR CLASSES TO BE INTRODUCED

The EA Board recently approved a proposal by the National Eventing Committee (NEC) that allows Organising Committees to run new ‘half star’ classes. The NEC have introduced the following levels to be the official additions available to National events:

2.5 star – includes three star dressage and showjumping, and two star cross country

1.5 star – includes two star dressage and showjumping, and one star cross country

An MER can be achieved at these events at the level of the cross country phase, so for example an MER at a 2.5 star would be listed as a National MER only for two star level.

The NEC hopes that these events will allow riders to gain confidence on the cross country whilst still competing at a higher level in Dressage and Showjumping. It also allows horses who perhaps have had an issue on cross country return to a lower level to regain confidence without having to ride down a full lower level.

These half star classes will be added to the rulebook for 2017 upon review, and the NEC have the express authority to grant OC’s permission to hold these events as a trial by application throughout 2016. The success of these trial events will be reviewed prior to the addition of the rule in 2017.

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SONJA TRACKING WELL FOR RIO

The WA Eventing Committee would like to congratulate Sonja Johnson and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison for being selected for the 2016 Nations Cup to be held in Aachen in July.

Sonja has also been selected as part of a twelve member Pre-Games staging camp located in the UK beginning on 24 July. Australia will be represented by four horse and rider combinations in Rio, chosen from those attending the pre-Games staging camp.