It has been a month of milestones for our Rio 2016 hopefuls. On 25 August an Australian Team of Edwina Tops-Alexander, Julia Hargreaves, Jamie Kermond and Scott Keach secured Australia its start in Jumping at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. With our Eventing and Dressage teams also qualified it means Rio 2016 will be the third consecutive Games that Australia has qualified full teams across all three equestrian disciplines. 

On 7 September Australia's Paralympic hopefuls began counting down one year to go to the Paralympic Games. You can stay up to date with all of our hopefuls as they progress through this important period by following Equestrian Australia on Facebook and Twitter.  

Until next month,

Grant Baldock

CEO, Equestrian Australia

Equestrian Australia is inviting riders to submit their entry nominations for the 2015 Equestrian Grand Final to be held in Adelaide from 19-22 November. Entry nominations must be submitted by 5:00pm Friday 16 October 2015. MORE   

Team Captain Edwina Tops-Alexander led her team out strong with Julia Hargreaves, Scott Keach and Jamie Kermond putting in solid performances to bring home the result the Aussies needed to secure their place at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. MORE  

London Olympian and #Rio2016 hopeful Chris Burton has guided two horses to a top five finish at the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – one of only six CCI4* eventing competitions in the world. MORE  

Ariat Rider of the Month is Chris Chugg. It is no surprise to see Chugg and his horse Cera Cassiago on top of the IRT Rider and Golden Grand Rankings of the Australian League of the FEI World Cup Jumping Series. The combination recently won their third consecutive World Cup for 2015 at last week's Adelaide Royal. SEE THE RANKINGS   

The Jumping team that recently secured Australia its start at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will come together later this month to contest the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final to be held in Barcelona (ESP) on 26 September 2015. MORE  

Horses in training frequently require large grain meals to provide energy for performance. Results of this study indicate that feeding a protected sodium bicarbonate product (KERx EquiShure™) to horses on high-grain diets can attenuate the pH shifts that lead to hindgut acidosis. MORE  

To celebrate one year to go to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, EA’s recently announced High Performance squad athletes for Para-Equestrian appeared in a special milestone poster. MORE 

Seven time Olympian Andrew Hoy took out the CCI3* title and the CIC3* title in the Haras du Pin (FRA). MORE 

Announcing the finalists for the 2015 Talent Identification Series for Jumping. This year’s final will be held at the Australian Show Jumping Championships from 17-20 September. Congratulations to the combinations who are eligible to compete at the final. MORE  

Follow the thrilling journey of Team Zelos to the first FEI World Vaulting Championships, Ermelo, Netherlands. A dream which became a reality for these young Australians MORE  

To recognise outstanding performances, the Australian Dressage Committee is once again supporting a special Gold Medal System. Nominations are to be received no later than 25th September 2015. MORE  

The AIS is known for developing Australia’s elite athletes. But did you know they also operate an amazing range of visitor experiences? AIS guided tours including the fun, interactive Sportex exhibit, the AIS shop where you can dress like a champion,  aquatic and fitness facilities for public use, venues for conferences, meetings, team building and events, and bring your school or sports group to a sports camp. It’s now easier than ever to discover what you can do and see at the AIS at our brand new website. MORE  

The 2015 Australian International Three Day Event (Aus3de), Australia’s premier equestrian competition, promises to be bigger and better than before. More than $120,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in the only event of its kind held in the heart of Adelaide, from Friday 20 November- Sunday 22 November 2015. MORE  

Equestrian New South Wales and the 2015 Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships organising committee are delighted to announce that Saddleworld Australia are to continue as naming rights sponsors of the 2015 event. MORE  

Get the latest new updates as they happen and go behind the scenes with our athletes at http://www.facebook.com/EquestrianAus
And on Twitter : @EquestrianAus

If you're not following EquestrianAus on Facebook, these are just some of the updates you missed last month...