“This is a big event for me, I need to put in a good performance to get back on the national squad”, said Schaeffer.

Schaeffer has not been on the national squad since her fantastic performance at the Atlantic 1996 Olympics where wearing a special constructed riding boot to accommodate a fractured leg, she rode the cross-country of a life time on her beloved horse Sun Glow.

Her ride put Australia in a strong position to pursue its second team gold in succession.

Sadly for Schaeffer the horse which had been with her since pony club days died in a paddock accident the following year.

This left Schaeffer out in the cold as far as future national selection went and she was faced with starting another horse almost from scratch. That horse is a 7 year old ex-galloper now known as Sun Smart. He came from the Mt Gambier track and was chosen by Wendy because he had an obvious ability to jump and was the right size for her.

Schaeffer, who mixes her riding career with that of physiotherapy, is small in stature so the 15.3 hand thoroughbred was the ideal size.

She has also travelled her “second string” for the Melbourne International from her home Haundorf, the grey Riverside Othello.

“I have two of the most inexperienced horses in the competition but I am hoping my experience will get them through”, said Schaeffer.

“It doesn’t help to get collected if you are not at the top of things”, she continued in reference to her current status in the top pecking order of Eventing.

However when asked National Coach Wayne Roycroft is confident that Schaeffer will make it back to the top.

“I think she puts a lot of pressure on herself, but she is such a good competitor”, he said.

But Roycroft warned that Schaeffer will have to put in a good performance in to get back into the squad.

“Obviously she’s looking at the Worlds (2002 World Equestrian Games) and then on to Atlanta and this event is sort of a stepping stone for her”, he said.

“With the talent she’s got I am sure she will bubble through but this is a tough game”, he concluded.

After the dressage phase earlier today Schaeffer and Sun Smart were well in contention even though Schaeffer felt her horse’s performance was not good enough to keep her on top of the list in the tough field competing at Melbourne this year.

Sun Smart gave notice of his potential at the 2000 Melbourne International by winning the two star event. He is now up a notch and is competing in his first three star event.

Media Release - Di Gatehouse