Two Australian combinations have earned early selection for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after outstanding performances. Equestrian Australia announced today that Edwina Tops-Alexander with Caretina De Joter and Scott Keach with Fedor are ready for Rio.

Tops-Alexander was Australia's best performing showjumper at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. She will captain the showjumping team for Rio 2016. “I'm thrilled to be selected for the third time it's a great honour to represent Australia,” Tops-Alexander says to Equestrian Australia. 

For 51-year-old Keach, Rio is his second Olympics and remarkably 28 years since his Olympic debut at the Seoul Games in 1988.

The following riders have a chance to get one of the two open spots for the team: Chris Chugg with Cera Cassiago, Steven Hill with Yalambi's Bellini Star, Jamie Kermond with Yandoo Oaks Constellation, Phillip Lever with Comme Il Faut, James Paterson-Robinson with Amarillo and Matthew Williams with Valinski S.

The final two showjumping spots will be finalised in late June following the Nations Cup events in Linz, Odense and Sopot. 

Source: www.equestrian.org.au // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson.