About Wendy

At just 21 years of age, Wendy Schaeffer represented Australia at the Atlanta Olympics and gained her place in the record books as the youngest woman to have won Olympic equestrian gold.

Wendy finished the leading rider in our team of world-class equestrians - Phillip Dutton, Andrew Hoy and Gillian Rolton.  Together they became Australia's most successful equestrian team ever. In fact, this team has recently been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (November 2005).

The Australian team dominated the three-day event despite significant setbacks.  Wendy rode her much loved horse Sunburst aggressively even though she had suffered a serious break in both bones of her lower leg just nine weeks before the games.  She rode with the leg heavily strapped - a screw and plate holding the bones together.

Atlanta was yet another stunning success for the young equestrian who just ten years before was riding Sunburst at Pony Club events.

At 17, Wendy was the youngest winner ever of the Advanced Level Senior Three Day Event.  She followed with a selection for the World Championships, again as the youngest competitor.  She took 9^th place in the Open European Championships and was the best placed first-time competitor at Badminton. 

Wendy now lives and trains in South Australia where she manages an Equestrian services Company, Sunburst Equestrian in order to pursue the riding and training of elite Three Day Event horses.  She has also managed to fit in University studies, completing a Physiotherapy Degree at the University of South Australia in June 1999 and more recently has completed a Masters in Animal Physiotherapy to transfer her skills to horses and dogs. Research undertaken in the equine exercise physiology field - specifically the physiological demands placed on event horses in training and competition - was of particular interest and may well be the subject of further study if funding can be arranged!

Wendy has been generously supported throughout her career by Bonnetts Saddlery and since her Olympic success has been well supported by Porsche Australia. Current product & service sponsorships from Laucke's Feed Mills and their Cool Stamina pellets and the Morphettville Equine Clinic are also essential to maintain prime equine health & performance. Mount Barker Sportspower & Saltbush clothing companies keep Wendy looking at her best while Waproo (Joseph Lyddy) & Zilco provide horse care products & Horse Rugs to keep the horses looking their best.