Lone Jorgensen Withdraws from Australian Olympic Team Consideration

Dressage

Australia

Australian Lone Jorgensen has announced that she has withdrawn from consideration for the Australian Olympic dressage team.

In the Running

Aboard Pauline and Frank Carnovale's 14-year old Danish warmblood mare Corinna (by Crelido x Loran), Jorgensen was in the running for an Australian Olympic team spot.

European Australians Simone Pearce and Kristy Oatley are the two highest scoring Australians at the moment and the strongest team contenders. Jorgensen, alongside Mary Hanna and Kelly Layne, are in contention for the third and reserve spot.

Withdrawal

Today Jorgensen announced the withdrawal of Corinna from Tokyo Olympic contention.

"The ongoing Covid situation, and lack of international shows in Australia, has made it difficult for me to prepare for such an event in the manner we wish," said Lone. "I would like to thank Pauline and Frank for the opportunity to campaign the incredible Corinna, as well as for their unwavering support and being the best owners you could wish for. (...) I wish the selected team all the best for a strong performance at the Games.”

Lone is already the second Australian short listed rider to withdraw from team contention. Lyndal Oatley pulled out two weeks ago, citing multiple reasons, amongst them "the impact of Covid-19" which has "presented significant challenges and has placed constraints on our preparation."

New Life in Australia

The Danish Lone Jorgensen is a two-time Olympian.

She lived in Germany for the first part of her career as a professional dressage rider before moving to Australia. Lone started working at Ulli Eggers' facility in Korntal-Münchingen, Germany, in 1982, and booked her first big international successes on Wempe Juwel.

Then came FBW Kennedy with whom she competed at the 1997 and 1999 European Championships as well as the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. With FBW Ludewig, she competed at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Jorgensen moved to Australia in 2012-2013 and received Australian citizenship in September 2019. One month later she and Corinna became Australian Grand Prix Champions.