Preparations Heat Up to Extend Olympic Record

Badminton Horse Trials This Weekend

April 29, 2004 - This weekend will see another vital selection event with the world-renowned Badminton horse trials held in England. As the most famous and well-attended event in the Eventing calendar over 200,000 spectators will see some of the world's best horses and riders compete in the traditional 4-star three-day event format.

A strong performance at Badminton often provides the springboard onto Olympic success. This was the case for Matt Ryan before his double gold at Barcelona in 1992, Wendy Schaeffer prior to Atlanta in 1996 and also Andrew Hoy in 2000 prior to his gold medal team victory at Sydney. Australia will be well presented at Badminton with 8 riders and 11 horses entered. Of these, three have travelled from Australia specifically for the event and to press their claims for Olympic selection.

South Australian Megan Jones has her second trip to Europe in the past 12 months. Jones competed at the inaugural World Cup Final in France in 2003 and will be looking for a good result on her 11-year-old grey gelding Kirby Park Irish Jester. Jones, who was Wendy Schaeffer's groom in Atlanta, will be keen to win an Olympic medal and her chances of selection rest on the Badminton performance.

NSW rider Sammi McLeod has also taken her recently acquired horse Enchanted to England and this will be her second time at Badminton having placed a very creditable 9th in 1999. McLeod, who rode in the Australian team at the 2002 World Games is seeking her first Olympic Games berth as are UK based riders Sam Griffiths and Paul Tapner. Griffiths has two horse entered, Private Colin and Chamois IV and Tapner will be riding his 13-year Polish born warmblood gelding Highpoint.

In contrast to these riders seeking their first Olympic Games, 5 time Olympian and triple gold medallist Andrew Hoy and fellow gold medallist Matt Ryan will both compete in what is in effect their home event with both riders having been based in England for over a decade. Hoy's mount Mr Pracatan, which early in his career was ridden by Matt Ryan, will be looking to edge out Hoy's other two potential Olympic horses, both of which are competing in Ireland in June, to give Andrew a chance to break Dawn Fraser's record and claim his 4th consecutive gold medal in Athens.

Matt Ryan's 12 year old chestnut gelding Bonza Puzzle will have its first three day event start in two years and along with Bonza Katoomba are the two horses Matt is hoping will gain him another shot at Olympic glory. EFA High Performance Manager Gareth McKeen comments "not only are riders competing against other riders for a spot on the team but the top riders often have two or three horses of their own that are competing for a team spot. Since a rider can only compete on one horse in Athens this internal competition adds an extra dimension to the sport".

Not to be discounted at Badminton are Bill Levett who rides Muddy Chuddy and Minuto, and young Australian based rider Chris Burton from NSW who has taken the plunge into the big time with his entry at Badminton.