Main image: Andrew Cooper and Sharvalley Thunder, by Click Capture.
Andrew Cooper knows it’s not every day you end up with a horse showing Olympic potential. He believes Sharvalley Thunder – the horse with whom he recently took out the CCN4*S for Olympic long-listed combinations at Melbourne International Three-Day Event – has what it takes.
When it comes to selection for Paris, Australia has several strong combinations vying for just three team slots, and Andrew knows it’s going to be tough to make the cut. However, if history tells us anything it’s that sometimes you just need to be ready and willing to take the opportunity if it comes your way.
Andrew believes that Thunder is a horse suited to the Olympic format, and if he feels there’s a chance he could make the team he intends to ensure he’s available. “I’m just trying to give myself the best opportunity to be there and be open for selection – even if it is last minute,” says Andrew. If he and Thunder are within range of a possible start, a trip to Europe could be their next move – although at this stage it’s just a rough plan. “If popping him on a plane and going over to Europe means a chance of receiving that call up as the last man standing… that may be on the cards.”
Melbourne win
Although Andrew says the dressage wasn’t quite as good as he’d hoped at Melbourne International Three-Day Event, however it was still a strong score that put the combination in good stead for cross country day. “I knew that I had to go out and run fast and prove that he can make time at Melbourne,” says Andrew of how he approached the CCN4* with Olympic selection in mind. “Thunder was amazing. He was fast and felt great; he knows his job.”
The pair had a rail in the show jumping phase, which Andrew says was through no fault of the horse. “He jumped super, and I just probably wasn’t as smooth as I should have been through a turn back to the treble.”
Thunder has not only been successful on Australian soil, but also travelled to New Zealand in March to compete in the CCI4*S Oceania Challenge at Horse of the Year, where they finished a very credible third in strong company.
All in all, both events were solid results for the pair and now it’s a waiting game to see what eventuates with other long-listed combinations both here and abroad in terms of final Olympic selection.
A horse for the future
At just 11 years of age, Andrew believes that Sharvalley Thunder is a serious horse for the future. First and foremost, the horse has a special place in Andrew’s heart and carries his hopes and dreams of representing Australia on the world stage.
However, with this sort of talent also comes considerable monetary value. Andrew self-owns and funds the majority of his horses thanks to the hard work he and wife Madeline put into their two Queensland-based businesses – a racehorse breaking, pre-training and spelling operation at Washpool Lodge and the performance horse team at Winjarra Park – and as such, having a horse of Thunder’s calibre properly insured via a reputable company is essential.
Andrew explains that Madeline’s father has his racehorses insured with HQ Insurance, and after hearing about his positive experiences with the team he decided they were the right fit to cover his prized eventer. “They’ve been great. They are really easy to deal with and have very competitive rates,” says Andrew of his own experience with HQ Insurance. “It’s important to have that peace of mind when you’re training, travelling and competing an elite-level horse such as Thunder.”
Regardless of whether they end up on the team for Paris, Andrew knows he has a special horse who has the best of his career still ahead of him. The 2026 World Championships at Aachen are just around the corner, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are now on the horizon. “I was pretty lucky to end up with Thunder. He’s a true athlete and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”
HQ Insurance offer comprehensive and all-encompassing horse insurance for your competition or show horse. You can find out more about their Equestrian Insurance here or contact Maggie, who runs the Performance Horse Insurance accounts at HQ Insurance, at 0499 937 902 or maggie@hqinsurance.com.au
This article was written in conjunction with HQ Insurance.
