Equestrian Australia backflips on disability snub which outraged supporters

Equestrian Australia has been forced into an embarrassing selection backflip after a ruling against disabled athletes for the world championships was slammed by supporters.

Emma Booth thanked all her supporters for helping force Equestion Australia to address the selection disparity.

Equestrian Australia has backflipped on a controversial decision to exclude Para-dressage athletes from the 2022 World Championships after being accused of discrimination against disabled athletes.

Social media erupted during the week with Equestrian Australia’s Facebook page drawing hundreds of comments labelling the sport’s ruling to preclude Para-equestrian athletes from the world titles as “shortsighted” and “disgusting”.

The contentious decision, which was clearly spelt out in the selection criteria, was based on the fact Para-Dressage riders had to achieve target scores in events to secure qualification that would have won medals at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

Able-bodied riders, however, were set much lower target scores that in fact would not have even qualified for the 18-person final at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

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No Australian riders made the final in Tokyo, with Simone Pearce (68.494) the best in 36th place ahead of Mary Hanna (67.981) in 40th.

Equestrian Australia were prepared to stand by their decision to exclude Para-dressage athletes from competing in the 2022 World Cup until a flurry of online remarks prompted the organisation to backflip.

News Corp contacted the sport’s governing body for comment on Wednesday before an EA official confirmed the original decision has been overturned and three athletes — Dianne Barnes, Emma Booth and Lisa Martin — will now be competing at the World Cup in Herning, Denmark from August 6 to 14.

Emma Booth with her horse Zidane before the Tokyo Paralympics. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Equestrian Australia chair Mark Bradley confirmed the backflip on a live chat on the Equestrian Life website late on Wednesday night.

“It was pretty apparent upfront that this was a very contentious decision,” Bradley said.

“We’ve gone through the exercise of what our members would expect us to do, and while we absolutely back the job done by the volunteers in the selector roles … our board met tonight and we resolved to ask the selection panel … to revisit and overturn the decision.

“I am pleased to advise … the three (qualified) riders have in fact been selected to represent Australia at the World Championships. I’d like to congratulate those in our community who stood up and made it very clear their views on the subject with all the right motivations.”

Booth thanked all her supporters for helping force EA to address the selection disparity.

“Right now I don’t have the words to convey the depth of appreciation I feel towards everyone for getting behind myself and the para community in order to get this decision overturned,” she wrote on Facebook.

Booth with Zidane in their final performance in Tokyo. Picture: Jon Stroud Media/Australian Equestrian Team

“The biggest thanks goes to Maree Tomkinson for not only being an incredible owner, but for the unbelievable time and effort she has put in these past few days helping our cause. Forever grateful.

“Julie Battams — only a few behind the scenes will truly understand the lengths you have gone to these past days in order to aid in achieving this unbelievable result. You’re an incredible woman and what you have done for not only para equestrian but the entire equestrian sport is nothing short of amazing! Thank you.

“Thank you EA for listening to the voice of reason.”

Australian Para-equestrian rider Amelia White, who is based in Germany, had expressed her dissatisfaction about the sport’s original decision via her personal Instagram account.

White posted a story saying: ‘Australian Federation not to send riders to the 2022 World Para Dressage Championships’.

The story was accompanied by an Australian flag that had been crossed out.