Prior to last week’s World Equestrian Games, much of the country didn’t know too much about Australia’s showjumping quartet of Armidale local Rowan Willis, Billy Raymond, Scott Keach and Jamie Kermond.
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By Sunday, the team had leapt into the spotlight with a sixth-placed finish in the team’s event.
It was Australia’s highest result in showjumping in the history of the Games and earns them qualification for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.
“Hopefully they all know the four of us now,” Willis said.
“The Irish certainly know us because we knocked them out of qualifying for the Olympics.”
Willis’ performances at the event held in Tryon, North Carolina well and truly earned him a name with a podium spot on day one before making it through to the finals.
Willis and his 12-year-old mare Blue Movie finished in 12th which was not a bad result for the combination considering it was the first time the pair had taken on an event on the size and scale of WEG.
“I knew with my horse that if everything went well she could certainly be up there at the end,” he said.
“I was a bit disappointed with myself on the day because I made a couple of little mistakes that I wouldn't normally make and I could have been a bit higher but still, my overall performance, I have to be pretty happy with it.
“There are 11 people out there that can say better but there are a few behind me that can't.
“It certainly gives me good confidence and I am already starting to make plans for Tokyo, so I am kind of excited for that.”
Blue Movie is owned by Willis, his parents David and Elsa, Armidale’s Warren Coventry and Black Mountain’s Michael and Wendy Jackson, who were all in the crowd cheering the duo on.
“It was great to have a really good bunch of Aussie supporters over there,” he said.
“It is fantastic for them and the region, all pretty exciting stuff really.”
Willis spoke fondly of his enthusiastic mount who he has had since she was a foal.
“She certainly is [a handful] but she tries so hard,” he said.
“She was incredible and to go right to the end was fantastic.
“She has come out of it pretty well actually so I am pretty happy with that.
“I think she could probably jump again today but we better not.”
Blue Movie is enjoying some down time after the Games and came through unscathed.
Willis said the pair of them have the Olympics in their sights with their recent Games experience is just the start of their career on the world stage.
“She has got better and better this year and I think this experience and my experience, we are already making plans for Tokyo and I will have her in the best possible shape there,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to hopefully being there on the day and we should have a very good chance.
“She didn't do much in her younger years and I think showjumping horses can go on until they are 17 or 18 at the top of the game.
“She has certainly got a fair few years left in her.”
While his star horse takes a well-earned break, Willis is back in the saddle with a full schedule for the next eight weeks.