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Wendy Schaeffer - From Atlanta to Beijing.

At just 21 years of age, I represented Australia at the Atlanta Olympics and gained a place in the record books as the youngest woman to have won Olympic equestrian gold. I finished the leading rider in our team of world-class equestrians – Phillip Dutton, Andrew Hoy and Gillian Rolton. Together we became Australia’s most successful equestrian team ever.

Atlanta was yet another stunning success for me, just ten years before I had purchased Sunburst off the racetrack and began riding him at Pony Club events. At 17, I was the youngest winner ever of the Advanced class at the Gawler Three Day Event. I followed with a selection for the 1994 World Championships, again as the youngest competitor, took 9th place in the Open European Championships in 1995 and was the best placed first-time competitor at Badminton in 1996 in my preparations for the Olympics.

I have since produced many horses to 4* level and become one of very few riders to win all Australian 3* and 4* events with victory at the Adelaide International 4* in 2002, the Sydney International 3* in 2005 and the Melbourne 3 Day Event 3* in 2007. I have also successfully campaigned once more in the USA for a 6th at the Rolex Kentucky 4* in 2007 and will campaign at this year’s Sydney and Melbourne 3 Day Events in my bid for selection to the Australian Olympic Team for this year’s Beijing Olympics.

I am currently on the Shadow Team for the Beijing Olympics with both my successful 4* partner, Koyuna Sun Magic and the young Koyuna Sun Dancer who was victorious in the 3* class at the 2007 Melbourne 3 Day Event. Also qualified for the Olympics is my A-listed young mare, Koyuna Sun Shine who was 3rd at last year’s Melbourne 3 Day Event and will be once more looking to impress selectors at this year’s event.

Wendy Schaeffer.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Wilson