A strong field of Para Equestrian riders turned out in a bid for Australian team selection at the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular at Boneo Park, the second last CPEDI qualifier on Australian soil in the build-up to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
The final selection of the fortunate four who will make up our national team will be decided at the final CPEDI qualifier in Australia at Sydney International Equestrian Centre this month.
Boneo Park played host to Australia’s third CPEDI Paralympic Qualifying event from 11-14 April, with the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular once again expertly run by the team at Carlton Performances Horses.
It was another well-supported event as we approach the pointy end of the selection period, with 29 Para Equestrian and nine Virtus riders entered. It is so encouraging to see such numbers consistently showing up and supporting competitions. It is vital for the growth of the sport that more riders are coming up and competitions are getting bigger.
A sunny Thursday afternoon formally kicked off the CPEDI, with the horse inspections, or trot-up. This is an important, but not often spoken about, part of proceedings as it makes sure that all horses are fit, sound, in good health and ready for the following three days of competition. It doesn’t matter how fit and healthy you know your horse is, there’s always a moment where you hold your breath waiting for the all-important “accepted” to be called out.
It’s also where, for many of us para riders, our grooms must step into the spotlight and run the horses out for us. And I have to say, the fashion is stepping up each time and the grooms are starting to get just as competitive as the riders! Thank you to Pimp My Pony for sponsoring the Horse Inspection at this event.
Friday, Day 1 of competition, and everyone was hoping to kick the competition with a strong start in Test A. It was also a day of playing Russian roulette with the weather — some riders were lucky enough to get a clear sky, others got sideways rain… some got both. However, the weather didn’t stop the riders pushing through to get some fantastic scores, and PBs were coming through in all grades.
Saturday was much kinder with the weather, and I think everyone appreciated it. The sun shone through, and riders stepped it up again with Test B. More PBs and strong scores were recorded across all sections. At the end of Day 2, a total of seven combinations in the CPEDI3* classes had gained Paris nomination scores throughout the event. Only scores from CPEDI3* Grand Prix A and B count towards selection.
Sunday is everyone’s favourite day – Freestyles! The pressure was off somewhat regarding selection, but the championship titles were still up for grabs. The weather was kind, and the combinations danced their way through the day. A lot of great scores, more PBs and many riders hitting the 70% mark or higher! It was fantastic to see lots of smiles and pats at the end of each test.
I would like to take a moment to thank the organising committee (Jade Woodhead-Butler especially), all of the generous sponsors, stewards, volunteers, judges, support crews and the public who cheered us on, plus the Australian Institute of Sport and Equestrian Australia High Performance for working so hard behind the scenes to make these events possible. I would also like to give a special thank you to Equestrian Life for providing a free live stream across the whole event so that everyone around the country and beyond can see what the sport is all about!
“It was fantastic to see
lots of smiles and pats…”
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
CPEDI3* Grand Prix
Grade 1 – Stellar Barton on Lord Larmarque
Grade 2 – Bridget Murphy on Penmain Promise; Reserve, Maddison Cooke on Byalee Magic II
Grade 3 – Felicity Weal on Bloomfield Shameless
Grade 4 – Dianne Barnes on Sorena; Reserve, Zoe Vorenas on WIS Forte
Grade 5 – Lisa Martin on Vilaggio; Reserve, Chelsea DeJonge on Don Dancier
CPEDI2* Intermediate
Grade 1 – Kellie Tinworth on Augustine KT
Grade 2 – Rebecca Webber on Glenayre Skyline
Grade 3 – Anne Skinner on Ballangeich Run Filou; Reserve, Ella Newbery on Cayuse Balou
Grade 4 – Darcy MacAulay on Parklands Faltango
Grade 5 – Claire Skerman on Regal Quickstep
Virtus
Virtus II1 – Sarah Sherwood on Dicavalli Royal Guess
Virtus II2 – Sui Watts on Gem Park Guess
Virtus II3 – Jodin Bell on Let’s Jazz it Up
STANDINGS FOR PARIS
As explained previously, to be nominated for team selection, horse and rider combinations need two scores over 67% in a Grand Prix A or Grand Prix B test (CPEDI3* and above) during the qualifying period (1 October 2023 to 19 June 2024) and must attend two CPEDIs between 1 January and 19 June 2024 (as per the Competition Criteria section of EA’s Nomination Criteria for Paris). Additionally, there is also a requirement to meet a range of other criteria set out in the nomination policy, and well as the FEI Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER).
As it stands, after the completion of the third of the four CPEDIs in Australia during the qualifying period, there are 24 Australian riders across a total of 36 combinations that have achieved an FEI MER, and 11 athletes across 13 combinations who have achieved at least one 67%+ qualifying score. There are four places available, and the team must consist of at least one rider from Grades 1, 2 and 3 and cannot have more than two riders from the same grade. So, let’s have a look at each grade and see how it’s tracking!
Grade 1:
Stella Barton & Lord Larmarque: Six scores – 72.3% and 74.4% at Boneo Park, October 2023; 71.4% and 73.6% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 67.85% and 68.75% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
Grade 2:
Victoria Davies & Celere: Two scores – 67.2% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 67.70% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
Bridget Murphy & Penmain Promise: Two scores – 67.29% and 68.94% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
Maddison Cooke & Byalee Magic II: One score – 67.8% at Boneo Park, October 2023.
“Pressure is a privilege
in our sport…”
Grade 3: No riders with qualifying scores.
Grade 4:
Dianne Barnes & Sorena 7: Five scores – 69% at Boneo Park, October 2023; 69.3% and 68.3% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 70% and 68.37% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
Zoe Vorenas & WIS Forte: Four scores – 67% and 68.1% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 68.98% and 67.70% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
Zoe Vorenas & Salmour: Two scores – 70% and 69.9% at Willinga Park, February 2024.
Sharon Jarvis & Furst Crusador: Two scores – 70.4% and 67.6% at Addington (UK), March 2024.
Claire Graham & Furst Olli 3: Two scores – 67.5% and 67.5% at Boneo Park, October 2023.
Kirsty Van Loon & HV Dante: Two scores – 67.7% and 69.009% at Boneo Park, October 2023.
Grade 5:
Chelsea DeJonge & Don Dancier: Four scores – 67.9% and 68.1% at Boneo Park, October 2023; and 68.4% and 68% at Willinga Park, February 2024.
Lisa Martin & Vilaggio: Four scores – 69.7% and 71.3% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 71.36% and 70.44% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
Lisa Martin & Juicy Wiggle: Three scores – 70% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 71.02% and 68.81% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
The riders who have met the Competition Criteria section of Australia’s Nomination Criteria for Paris so far are Stella Barton, Victoria Davies, Dianne Barnes, Zoe Vorenas (WIS Forte), Chelsa DeJonge, and Lisa Martin.
“Thanks to many people that have given their support and experience to my horses Juicy Wiggle and Vilaggio, we were able to achieve fantastic results at Boneo! Pressure is a privilege in our sport; we must get strength from setbacks and not allow negative pressure to stop our dreams of becoming champions!” enthused Lisa.
Similarly, Stella was thrilled to have her Paris qualifications complete. “The competition at Boneo was a great experience for me and I enjoyed being in the competition arena again. Bug [Lord Larmarque] is really enjoying his job and I’m really starting to feel connected to him when I ride. To be fully qualified for Paris 2024 feels like a huge step closer to making my dream come true of representing Australia at a Paralympic Games. I am looking forward to the final qualifying event in Sydney in June.”
Sharon Jarvis, Zoe Vorenas (Salmour), Maddison Cooke, Claire Graham, Kirsty Van Loon and myself all need to gain at least one more score over 67% in Grand Prix A or B test at CPEDI3* level or above before 19 June to be fully qualified. There are also riders overseas who are set to start their campaign on the European circuit, including previous Paralympians Emma Booth and Amelia White.
The next and final CPEDI qualifier in Australia is 14-17 June at Sydney International Equestrian Centre. This is the last chance for Australian-based riders to gain nomination scores, then it will be in the hands of the selectors and EA high performance to nominate the team to Paralympics Australia for official selection. I wish all riders all the best in their preparation towards the next CPEDI – I’m sure it’s going to be another great event! EQ
YOU MIGH ALSO LIKE TO READ:
Tough Race for Paralympic Selection – Equestrian Life, March 2024
