Maleah Lang-McMahon Selected to Represent Australia at FEI Youth Equestrian Games

Four of Australia’s top young Jumping riders, Charlie Richardson (NSW), Chloe Versteegen (WA), Hayden Parker (VIC) and Maleah Lang-McMahon (QLD), came together last week for the final selection event to determine who would represent Australia at the FEI Youth Equestrian Games.

The four shortlisted riders, from the seven Australian athletes that qualified, were invited to the final selection event on 19th & 20th April hosted by EA High Performance and held at 'Bimbadeen Park' in NSW, owned by Eventing Olympic medallist Shane Rose and wife Niki Rose.

In front of the National Jumping Selectors, each athlete rode four borrowed horses, simulating the competitive conditions under which the FEI Youth Equestrian Games will take place later this year. Participants at the Games will ride unknown horses allocated by a random draw and supplied by the organising committee. Each competitor will get three training days and a welcome competition outside of the official schedule at the FEI Youth Equestrian Games to forge a solid bond with their allotted horse.

Following an intensive two day program it was 18-year-old Maleah Lang-McMahon who was named as the Australian representative for the Games, which will take place in Aachen Germany from 28th June – 3rd July 2022 as part of the famed CHIO Aachen Equestrian Festival.

“The selection event held at Shane Roses’ was an invaluable experience and I feel honoured to have been selected to represent my country in Aachen, it’s truly a dream come true,” said Maleah of her selection.

Equestrian Australia High Performance Jumping Manager, Todd Hinde said:

“It was great to see four top young Jumping riders present themselves to such a high standard in front of the National Jumping Selectors. The professionalism in their attitude, training and riding was exceptional and well beyond their years. This event is not only important from a selection point of view, but it was also a great opportunity for young riders to be exposed to situations elite athletes face when vying to represent their country. Congratulations to Maleah on her selection, we look forward to following her journey and wish her all the best in her preparation for the event.”

Equestrian Australia would like to congratulate Maleah Lang-McMahon on her selection, as well as all athletes who attended the selection event and those that qualified for the FEI Youth Equestrian Games. Equestrian Australia would also like to extend a thank you to Shane and Niki Rose who generously provided the venue for the selection event as well as the borrowed horses ridden by the athletes.

The Australian Selection Policy for the FEI Youth Equestrian Games can be found here.

About the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022

This historic event for the youth equestrian community will showcase 30 athletes, aged between 15 and 18 years, who will compete in both Individual and Continental Team Jumping competitions.

Following the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar (SEN), the FEI requested the IOC to organise an alternative event to be held in 2022. In agreement with the IOC, the FEI Youth Equestrian Games have been built around the same principles as YOG and will be organised to avoid young athletes being negatively impacted by the absence of the Youth Olympic Games. The event will also host a Culture and Education Programme established in cooperation with the IOC. Participants will compete under the same format used in previous editions of the YOG.

Article courtesy of Equestrian Australia