Tokyo qualification seals Shane Rose's third Olympic Games appearance

Berry's Shane Rose will compete at his third Olympic Games in Tokyo after being unveiled as part of Australia's six-person team for next month's competition.

Rose, who won a silver medal in Beijing and bronze in Rio de Janeiro - both in team eventing, is joined by Andrew Hoy, Chris Burton, Mary Hanna, Simone Pearce and Kelly Layne in the green and gold's squad.

Hoy, who will be joined by Burton and Rose in the eventing side, will represent Australia at an unprecedented eighth games, extending his own record of seven as the most Olympic appearances by any green and gold athlete, while Hanna becomes the first woman to make six national Olympic teams - as her, Pearce and Layne (both making their games debuts) will compete in dressage.

Rose, 48, has been selected for the team with his long-time ride and World Equestrian Games partner Virgil, owned together with his wife Niki and Michelle Hasibar.

Rachel Watts, who groomed for Rose at Rio, will once again take on the role in Tokyo.

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic team Ian Chesterman congratulated the history-making team.

"What a fantastic piece of Olympic history this equestrian team will make in Tokyo," Chesterman said.

"Andrew's eight Games is a truly rare achievement. Andrew is one of only 13 people over 125 years of Olympic history to achieve this feat, and is testament to a life dedicated to excellence.

"Mary continues to inspire with decades of performing at a world class level, becoming the first woman to make six Olympic Games for Australia.

"Congratulations to all riders selected, Australians will be thrilled to watch our Equestrian team in action in Tokyo and to see Australian Olympic history made.

"Thank you to the families, supporters, coaches, grooms and Equestrian Australia who have helped these six riders over decades to achieve their Olympic selection for Tokyo."

After making his games debut in Los Angeles in 1984, three-time Olympic gold medallist Hoy's selection extends his own record of most Olympic appearances, becoming the 13th athlete in Olympic history to make eight Games - joining only nine eight-time Olympians and three athletes who have competed at more.

The 62-year-old will also surpass rider Bill Roycroft, who was aged 61 in 1976, to become the oldest Australian male competitor at an Olympics.

In Tokyo, Hoy will ride Vassily de Lassos, a 12-year-old gelding owned by David and Paula Evans, and will be aided by groom Clémentine Girardeau as he attempts to secure a fourth gold medal.

66-year-old Hanna continues her decades of equestrian excellence, extending the record she set in Rio as the oldest Australian Olympic competitor.

Hanna will contest her sixth games aboard her mare Calanta, who she co-owns with husband Robert Hanna, and will be supported on the ground in Tokyo by her groom Casey Gill.

Equestrian Australia CEO, Darren Gocher, said the two records set by Hoy and Hanna is a testament to both the longevity and proud legacy of equestrian sport within Australia.

"We welcome not only the selection of a diverse and talented team of athletes, but we also celebrate the core values of our sport, where men and women compete on equal terms and age is no barrier to achieving success at the highest level," Gocher said.

"I would like to congratulate all venting and dressage combinations selected to represent Australia in Tokyo, and to acknowledge the dedication, hard work and commitment of the athletes, owners, grooms and everyone involved in the Olympic journey."

Friday's announcement takes the number of athletes selected to 284 of an expected 450-480, with the equestrian competition will run from July 24 to August 7 at Tokyo's Equestrian Park.

The eventing team reserve combination will be Stuart Tinney and Leporis, who will travel alongside the selected team to Japan.

Article courtesy of Australian Community Media and the South Coast Register