Shenae Lowings often suffers performance anxiety before a big equestrian event - but the NSW rider showed no signs of nerves after being drafted in as a last-minute replacement to make her Olympic debut at the imposing setting of the Chateau de Versailles.
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The 27-year-old reserve had only been expecting to be back-up for the eventing team.
But after teammate Kevin McNab pulled up his injured horse Don Quidam during the cross country, she was drafted in to make a dream debut in the showjumping at one of the Games' most spectacular venues on Monday.
"It was a funny feeling, actually. When I got the call up, I was obviously completely heartbroken for Kevin, this wasn't the circumstances I wanted to be subbed in, but it happened," explained the Perth-born, Werombi-based Lowings.
"I was a bit shocked about how I felt today because, usually on the final day, I'm a bit nervous and I've got a bit of a performance anxiety, whereas today I just felt quite cool and calm."
Riding Bold Venture on the biggest stage, the pair had a couple of fences down, with Lowings blaming herself for the mistakes.
"He jumped a super round," she said.
She reckoned the team have rallied round McNab and are relieved that the horse is expected to make a full recovery from a soft tissue injury.
"Everyone's been so supportive. Our hearts hurt for him, and we've given him every support we could, so it'll be a hard time for him for a while but we're all there for him," said Lowings.
The Australian team, also featuring medal hope Chris Burton and Shane Rose, eventually finished 15th on 328.30 penalty points, as the British trio of Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Rosalind Kanter successfully defended their title on 91.30, followed by hosts France and Japan.
Australian Associated Press
