The cross country leg of the Olympic three day eventing was run last night at Versailles and Australian rider Kevin McNab was forced to retire when his horse Don Quidam sustained a soft tissue injury and as a result our reserve rider Shenae Lowings will be jumping in his place tonight aboard her trusty Aussie thoroughbred Bold Venture.
Turning 14 this week, Bold Venture has been the horse of a lifetime for Shenae, who got him off the track and has done all the work over many years to create a horse good enough for Olympic selection.
Racing under the name of Hell on Wheels, Bold Venture had three unremarkable unplaced race starts at Northam and Bunbury in 2016 before going on to a new career in which he has emerged as a superstar.
Bold Venture (Hell on Wheels) is by the Sir Tristram (IRE) stallion Devarajafrom Royal Zam, a minor winner by Zamoff with the family producing current stakes-winning filly Arctic Glamour.
Coming into the final phase of the eventing, Australian riders Chris Burton and Shane Rose are in third place and 23rd, click here for all the results and start list for tonight.
All eyes will be on Paris tonight, go the Aussies and the little Aussie thoroughbred!
Footnote: Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture did Australia proud jumping a lovely round with just two rails down and was followed by her team mates Shane Rose with one rail down and then Chris Burton, who executed a perfect clear and then went on to finish second in the individual competition to grab a silver medal.
