Shane Rose is feeling “pretty good”! He only has 18 broken bones and is no longer in ICU! Actually, he is home.

Last column, Shane was battling a standdown order from Equestrian Australia for wearing a mankini in a fancy dress show jumping class. Happily for everyone – including EA – Shane was found to not have broken any of the EA rules and was reinstated so that he could contest the CCI4*S at Land Rover Horse of the Year in Hastings, New Zealand. This was an important part of Shane’s preparation for the Paris Olympics in July.

Anyhow, to cut a long story short, Shane stepped up with his wonderful old Olympic silver medal partner, Virgil – who is 19 years young – and won the whole CCI4*S competition. Well done, Shane and Virgil. This means that they are now fully qualified for Paris and eligible for selection on the Australian Olympic team.

Shane got back home and was entered for the CCI4*S at Tamworth on a young four-star horse just two weeks after the New Zealand win. But he had a terrible fall whilst cross country schooling and, just wait for it, these are the injuries that put him in the hospital ICU ward – 18 broken bones in all: three breaks in the right elbow; a femur clean break (he has a femoral nail right through the centre of the bone holding this together); seven broken ribs on his left side and one on his right side; and four breaks in the pelvis. What a mess! The worst is the back left sacrum, which is broken clean through, however, the good news is that it’s not displaced. The doctors have decided not to pin this and that four weeks in bed for Shane, non-weight bearing, is the best way to go. Shane staying still in bed for four weeks is like looking for a miracle. But he has to… stay still!

Anyway, we spoke to Shane just before publishing, which was 13 days since the accident, and he is home and not in lots of pain… relatively speaking. He certainly has been, but he is actually feeling very relieved and says he can move around a little bit in bed without hurting and can lift his legs and that life is looking up. The Olympics start at the end of July and so Shane has something like 15 weeks to be back riding and Olympic fit. Holy smoke! Good luck Shane.

The selection opportunities for Australian riders in the Olympic disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing close on 24 June 2024. That is just weeks away. So it is possible to be highly ranked on my two leaderboards, Dressage and Eventing, and not actually be eligible for selection due to not fulfilling Olympic MERs, or in other words, FEI qualifications. There is going to be a mad scramble by all of these top riders to make sure they are also fully qualified.

“The big problem is,
of course, Shane’s horrendous
accident and his recovery.” 

THE EVENTING LEADERBOARD

1. Shane Rose and Virgil have an outstanding score of 28.5 penalties from Adelaide CCI5*L on 20 April 2023. Shane is now fully qualified courtesy of his win in NZ on 9-10 March 2024. Quite frankly, I don’t see any Australians based either here or in the northern hemisphere who are going to be able to challenge Shane. The big problem is, of course, Shane’s horrendous accident and his recovery.

2. Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca have a score of 29.3 penalties from the Sydney International Three Day Event CCI4*L on 9-12 November 2023. Andrew still has to get one more MER in a CCI4*S. Andrew, along with Kenya Wilson from Western Australia and Sophia Hill from Victoria, are all heading into the UK for the final part of their Paris campaigns. Sophia Hill and Andrew Barnett are also taking a second horse, which is a young horse, along for the experience. Wow, what a super exciting move and something we can all follow really closely. It is our understanding that Andrew and Kenya were due to fly out on 9 April. I think Andrew is thinking he will compete at Cirencester Park Eventing some two weeks after landing in England. With a bit of luck these three riders will be able to get involved with riding for Australia in some of the Nations Cups competitions at Chatswood, Millstreet and Aachen. Very exciting and we will be watching.

3. Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend scored 32.2 penalties from Kilguilkey House International Horse Trials CCI4*S in Ireland on 29 July 2023. Kevin has not had a start in international competition this year and by my calculations has to do two CCI4*S competitions at least just to qualify for selection. I don’t think he is running out of time just yet as long as both Kevin and A Best Friend stay in tip-top condition and experience no injuries. Unlike Shane who is fully qualified, Kevin’s time runs out on 24 June and that is just weeks away. Pressure, pressure, pressure!

4. Andrew Cooper and Hey Arnold have 32.9 penalties from Tamborine CCI4*S in Australia on 19 February 2023. Andrew is fully qualified on Hey Arnold and available for team selection; he is also fully qualified on Sharvalley Thunder and available for team selection.

At the moment Sharvalley Thunder has a personal best score of 38.2 penalties, which was in the CCI4*S at Land Rover Horse of the Year in NZ on 9-10 of March 2024. This does not have Sharvalley Thunder ranked in our Top 10 at the moment, providing everyone in the Top 10 does fulfill qualifications. Tricky! Certainly Andrew is looking good.

5. Olivia Barton and Henrik APH have 33.3 penalties from the Sydney International 3DE CCI4*L on 9-12 November 2023. Olivia and Henrik are also not yet qualified and need one more CCI4*S run.

6. Sophia Hill and Humble Glory have 33.5 penalties from Werribee CCI4*S on 2 February 2023. They need one more CCI4*S result to qualify for Paris selection. Sophia and Humble Glory are part of the team of three Australian-based riders who are heading to the northern hemisphere in the UK for their final campaign for selection in the Paris Olympics. Good luck, Sophia.

7. Oliva Barton and Hollyander HG have a score of 33.9 penalties from the CCI4*S at Land Rover Horse of the Year on 9-10 March in NZ. They are fully qualified and available for selection for Paris. This is Olivia’s second horse in our Top 10 Australian rankings. Pretty fancy statement from one of our young up-and-coming superstars.

8. Sammi Birch and Finduss PFB have a score of 34.4 penalties from Blenheim CCI4*L in England on 13 September. Sammi and Finduss PFB still need two CCI4*S competitions to qualify for selection. They are based in England and there are a lot more qualifying competitions over there from which to choose between now and 24 June. At the moment they are entered for Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*L in May.

9. Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture have a score of 34.7 penalties from the Adelaide CCI4*S on 20 April 2023. Shenae and Bold Venture, as far as I can make out, need one more CCI4*S to complete their qualifications.

10. David Middleton and WEC In The Money have 35.3 penalties from Wandin CCI4*S on 18 March 2023. David and In The Money need a CCI4*L start to qualify and that means that they will probably turn up at the Melbourne International 3DE on 6-9 June. David does have alternatives as in Quirindi CCI4*L on 3-5 May or Adelaide CCI5*L on the 18-21 April. David has a second horse called WEC In The Breeze which is a full sister to WEC In The Money. WEC In The Breeze is already qualified with a personal best score of 38.8 penalties at Albury CCI4*S on 28 October 2023. This score is not good enough to have WEC In The Breeze in our Top 10 at the moment, however, being fully qualified for Paris selection may turn out to be something that some of the more favoured combinations struggle to achieve. I know that WEC In The Breeze is a particularly favourite ride for David Middleton. This whole adventure is sitting on a time bomb revolving around the closing date of June 24 2024. I can tell you right now with confidence that there are going to be some unexpected twists which will take everyone by surprise. Stay tuned.

THE DRESSAGE LEADERBOARD

In order to be nominated for the Australian dressage team for Paris, riders must meet (among other things) Competition Criteria, which forms part of Australia’s Nomination Criteria for Paris. This Competition Criteria requires riders to have achieved two scores “approaching or exceeding” 69% in Grand Prix Tests at a CDI3* or above and demonstrated experience in a minimum of two Grand Prix Special Tests at CDI3* or above (between 1 January 2023 and 24 June 2024). Greater weight is placed on performances this year. (Note that FEI MERs also form part of the Nomination Criteria, however the MER score is lower than the Competition Criteria at 67%).

1. Simone Pearce and Destano scored 73.217% on 4 November 2023 in Motešice, Slovakia. I think our No. 1 ranked rider is qualified with two scores over 69%. The Australian Nomination Criteria does also state that riders and their horse have to have done two Grand Prix Specials as part of the qualifications for Paris selection. Because Simone and Destano have only competed at CDI-W competitions, there have been no Grand Prix Specials on offer. Holy smoke! I wonder if this could turn into a serious problem for our No.1 ranked combination. However, Simone is based in Germany and there are a lot of competition opportunities over there in the coming weeks where she should be able to satisfy this Grand Prix Special qualification prerequisite.

=2. We have a tie for our No. 2 dressage ranking.

(A) Lyndal Oatley and Elvive have a score of 72.413% on 2 March 2024 in Lier CDI4*, Belgium. Lyndal and Elvive also have more than two Grand Prix Specials which they have competed in so I think this combination is fully qualified in terms of Australia’s Competition Criteria for Paris team nomination.

(B) Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe have a score of 72.413% from Boneo on 13 October 2023. Mary and Ivanhoe have also done two Grand Prix Specials and so are also now fully qualified for Paris selection consideration.

4. Jessica Dertell and Cennin are now in fourth position with a score of 71.587% at Boneo on 13 October 2023. Jess and Cennin have also competed in more than two Grand Prix Specials and so are fully qualified for selection for the Paris Olympics.

“Jess and Cennin are
fully qualified for selection
for the Paris Olympics.”

5. Jayden Brown and WillingaPark Quincy B have a score of 71.370% on 2 March 2024 in Lier CDI4*, Belgium. Jayden and Quincy B have competed in two Grand Prix Specials, so I think it is safe to say that Jayden is fully qualified and available for Paris selection.

6. David McKinnon and Forlan have a score of 70.804% from Boneo on 13 October 2023. Dave at this moment does not have a second score “approaching or exceeding” 69% on Forlan and so would be looking forward to the Sydney CDI3* on 1-4 May. Dave and Forlan will also need to compete in at least two Grand Prix Specials. This could be a bit of a stumbling block for an Australian-based horse, and I am sure the connections will be talking to the Australian selectors if the Sydney CDI goes well.

A solution could be that Dave and Forlan make a dash to the northern hemisphere where there will be shows that are appropriately qualified and are offering Grand Prix Specials. An unexpected stumbling block!!

7. We have a tie for No. 7 dressage ranking:

(A) Jemma Heran and Saphira Royal 2 have a score of 70.717% in the CDI3* Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Florida, USA, on 2 March 2024. Jemma and Saphira Royal 2 have competed in numerous Grand Prix Specials so this is not an issue in terms of qualifications for the Australia Paris team. Jemma does, however, need another Grand Prix score at a CDI3* or above “approaching or exceeding” 69% to fully qualify for Paris consideration.

“Jemma Heran and Saphira Royal 2
have a score of 70.717%…”

(B) Simone Pearce and Immerdale have a score of 70.717% on 29 September 2023 from Ornago in Italy. Simone only has the one score on Immerdale so needs another Grand Prix score “approaching or exceeding” 69% and needs one more Grand Prix Special performance. It is my understanding that Simone and Immerdale are no longer together and so will not be able to be considered for the final selections for Paris. Simone is however, still our No. 1 consideration on Destano.

9. Lyndal Oatley and Dante’s Herzchen have a score of 70.304% from Aachen CDI3* on 30 March 2024. This was Lyndal’s first CDI together with Dante’s Herzchen so a great result, but does now need another score “approaching or exceeding” 69% and also needs two Grand Prix Special starts. Seeing as Lyndal is based in Germany there will be appropriately credentialled shows available where Lyndal should be able to achieve these results in time. Lyndal is already qualified on this leaderboard in equal second place with Elvive.

10. William Matthew and Mysterious Star have a score of 69.174% at Exloo in Holland on 14 May 2023. William has a score approaching 69% which was 68.783% at Hagen CDI4*, Germany, on 22 September 2023. The selection criteria says two Grand Prix scores “approaching or exceeding” 69%. I reckon William will scrape through on his Hagen score as qualified and William and Mysterious Star have done multiple Grand Prix Special competitions. So it is my opinion, for what it is worth, that William Matthew and Mysterious Star are fully qualified to be considered for the Australian Olympic team.

“It is likely there will be
some more juggling going on.”

Australia has never had such well performed dressage combinations from which to choose its team. All of these riders are to be congratulated. To all of these riders, good luck in the coming weeks and I do think it is likely there will be some more juggling going on. Keep in mind that both Mary Hanna and Jess Dertell have packed up and headed into the northern hemisphere for their final Paris preparation. We wish them the very best of luck and we will all be fascinated to see how that goes for them.

Cheers,
Heath EQ

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ BY HEATH RYAN:

Olympic Qualifications, Leaderboards… & A Mankini – Equestrian Life, March 2024

This Year is All About Paris – Equestrian Life, January/February 2024

Paris Peloton Moves Go Crazy – Equestrian Life, December 2023

Peloton Builds on Road to Paris – Equestrian Life, November 2023

Pressure Builds in Olympic Stakes – Equestrian Life, October 2023

Tracking Our Paris Contenders – Equestrian Life, September 2023

Let the Qualifying Games Begin – Equestrian Life, August 2023

Live Wire Sparks Coaching Debate – Equestrian Life, July 2023

It’s All Happening Overseas – Equestrian Life, June 2023

Exciting Times for All Of Us – Equestrian Life, May 2023

Will Enzinger a Potential Game Changer – Equestrian Life, March 2023

A Dressage Adventure – Equestrian Life, February 2023

The Big Picture for 2023 – Equestrian Life, January 2023

Heads Up Next Gen, Brisbane Awaits – Equestrian Life, December 2022

Planning for Paris, Leading to LA, Building for Brisbane – Equestrian Life, November 2022

Eventing Results: Disappointing but Promising! – Equestrian Life, October 2022