The four combinations to represent Australia in Para Dressage at the Paris Paralympics have been chosen – and the competitive pressure to be selected was possibly as intense as what can be expected at the Chateau de Versailles.
The blossoming of para equestrianism in Australia over the past few years has been swept along by a groundswell of talented riders and growing community support. The campaigns to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Paralympics next month brought out the best in all our riders from around the country. Yet in the end, only four could be chosen to grace the famous Chateau de Versailles in Para Dressage from 3-7 September.
Casting an eye back, the weekend of 14-17 June was a very exciting and nerve-racking time for Australia’s Para Dressage riders. It marked the final opportunity for those based both here in Australia and those overseas in Europe to add additional qualifying scores to their campaign tallies.
For some riders, it was do or die to become fully qualified based on the selection criteria, and for others it was another opportunity to cement their place in the rankings.
THE EUROS
We’ll start with the riders based in Europe who entered in Kronenburg, the Netherlands. Emma Booth and Saimir, Melissa Cannon and Quentino 43, Sharon Jarvis and Furst Crusador, and Kylie Christian and Ivan Carlos were all in attendance, chasing the all-important qualifying scores. Melissa and Kylie both rode fantastic tests, but unfortunately couldn’t add another score to their campaign tallies. However, Emma and Sharon were both successful in gaining one more score over 67%, which meant they both met all the selection criteria, enabling potential nomination for the team.
ON HOME SOIL
Once again, the entries for both the Para Dressage and the Virtus sections at Sydney International Equestrian Centre were strong! With 30 combinations entered and many riders again making big trips from interstate, clearly everyone was making the most of the wide range of classes on offer, from national level to CPEDI3*. A BIG shout-out to Hawkesbury Dressage Club and Jade Woodhead (and her team), for working so hard to make this event possible and inclusive for all entry points to the sport.
This competition was also a great warm-up for some of the Virtus riders, who were heading to the UK to compete in the Open European Championships mid-July (where they went on to excel and bring home team silver medal!)
The riders were all excited to ride in the SIEC indoor for the whole competition, which provided an impressive, but at times testing, atmosphere. Having a vocal crowd in the stands watching, it definitely gave a small sense of what could come for the four soon to be selected riders. And for those who couldn’t attend in person, Equestrian Life had the event covered with a live-stream in conjunction with ClipMyHorse.TV. You can re-watch the action via ClipMyHorse.TV here.
Having the competition run alongside the abled-bodied riders as part of a two-week dressage festival meant that there was a really great atmosphere with lots of spectators stopping by the indoor to watch us all in action. It is really fantastic to see the whole equestrian community becoming more aware of the Para Dressage and Virtus disciplines and throwing so much support behind us. It’s absolutely what we want heading into major championships and the Paralympic Games!
Although there was a lot riding on this competition, especially for those riders who still needed to gain scores to be eligible for selection, there was enormous support and encouragement between all the riders, as everyone knew all too well what it took to get to that point. As this sport continues to grow, it is really promising to see such a strong, supportive culture and values system being fostered. The level of athlete talent and professionalism is on the rise, and it was demonstrated clearly in the fantastic results across the board.
HAWKESBURY CPEDI RESULTS:
Championship results
CPEDI 2*
Grade I – Kellie Tinworth on Augustine KT
Grade III – Samantha Hawes on Gotico Park Estralo
Grade IV – Darcy MacAulay on Parklands Faltango; Reserve – Brooke Neville on Checklist D
Grade V – Heidi Ford on Rikaardt H; Reserve – Amy Blackwood on Royal Delight PE
CPEDI 3*
Grade I – Stella Barton on Lord Larmarque
Grade II – Bridget Murphy on Penmain Promise; Reserve – Kate Nipperess on SW Cruiser
Grade III – Amylie Hines on EA Exquisite; Reserve – Felicity Grant on Bloomfield Shameless
Grade IV – Dianne Barnes on Sorena; Reserve – Claire Graham on Furst Olli 3
Grade V – Lisa Martin on Vilaggio; Reserve – Chelsea DeJonge on Don Dancier
“For some riders,
it was do or die to
become fully qualified.”
Virtus
Virtus II1 – Sarah Sherwood on Dicavalli Royal Guess
Virtus II2 – Sui Watts on Gem Park Guess
Virtus II3 – Jodin Bell onLet’s Jazz it Up
A big and heartfelt thank you must again go to Jade and the team at Carlton Performance Horses who have worked tirelessly and meticulously to run each CPEDI qualifier, making sure each one ran smoothly and gave riders the best chance to succeed. Also, thank you to all the sponsors who have supported the competitions along the way, in particular Equestrian Australia and the AIS.
And a massive congratulations to ALL riders who showed up to put their best on show. Whether campaigning, or out to enjoy the sport at any level, you all did an amazing job and should be extremely proud of yourselves and the teams behind you.
THE FINAL BREAKDOWN
So, after a campaign that saw HUGE numbers at every competition, there were 10 athletes (12 combinations) who successfully met all the nomination criteria set out by Equestrian Australia’s selection policy.
There were four places available, and the team had to consist of at least one rider from Grades 1, 2 or 3 and could not have more than two riders from the same grade. So, let’s have a look at each grade and how it ended up. Riders who got two or more scores of 67% or above, across two competitions, and eligible for team nomination were…
Grade I
Stella Barton & Lord Larmarque: Eight scores – 72.3% and 74.4% at Boneo Park, October 2023; 71.4% and 73.6% at Willinga Park, February 2024; 67.85% and 68.75% at Boneo Park, April 2024; and 73.54% and 73.05% at Sydney, June 2024.
Grade II
Bridget Murphy & Penmain Promise: Four scores – 67.29% and 68.94% at Boneo Park, April 2024; and 67.24% and 69.00% at Sydney, June 2024.
Grade III
Emma Booth & Saimir: Two Scores – 67% at Hagen, June 2024, and 67.45% at Kronenburg, June 2024.
Grade IV
Dianne Barnes & Sorena: Seven scores – 69% at Boneo Park, October 2023; 69.3% and 68.3% at Willinga Park, February 2024; 70% and 68.37% at Boneo Park, April 2024; and 68.19% and 67.61% at Sydney, June 2024.
Claire Graham & Furst Olli 3: Four scores – 67.5% and 67.5% at Boneo Park, October 2023; and 67.50% and 67.16% at Sydney, June 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: Three scores – 70% and 69.9% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 68.91% at Sydney, June 2024
Sharon Jarvis & Furst Crusador: Three scores – 71.4% and 67.6% at Addington (UK), March 2024; and 67.83% at Kronenburg, June 2024.
Grade V
Lisa Martin & Vilaggio: Six scores – 69.7% and 71.3% at Willinga Park, February 2024; 71.36% and 70.44% at Boneo Park, April 2024; 67.94% and 69.82% at Sydney, June 2024.
Lisa Martin & Juicy Wiggle: Three scores – 70% at Willinga Park, February 2024; and 71.02% and 68.81% at Boneo Park, April 2024.
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.
What an incredible moment for Para Dressage in Australia to have 12 combinations in the running for team selection. The team was officially announced on 4 July at Bimbadeen Park, NSW. With Paralympics Australia and Para Dressage Legend Jan Pike present to formally present the team their tickets to Paris, it was certainly a special day for everyone involved.
“What an incredible moment
for Para Dressage in Australia…”
MEET THE TEAM
Dianne Barnes & Sorena (owned by Sharyn McCombe); Groom: Rebecca Haythorpe
“Wow what can I say, I am incredibly excited and quietly nervous at the same time,” says Di who will be heading to her first Paralympic Games. “Each of our team members have worked incredibly hard to get there and we all are there to support each other. How lucky am I to be representing my country at 66 years of age, with these women.”
Stella Barton & Lord Larmarque (owned by Jade Moody); Groom: Ashleigh Campton
“It is a dream come true and I feel so proud to have been selected to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games. I am looking forward to enjoying every minute of this amazing experience and riding in the arena at Versailles,” says Paralympic debutant Stella.
You can read more about Stella’s journey to Versailles in the July issue of Equestrian Life here.
“It is a dream come true
and I feel so proud…”
Lisa Martin & Vilaggio (owned by Lisa Martin); Groom: Maddison McAndrew
“To be part of the Australian Paralympic team for Paris is a lifelong honour and dream. As part of the team, I feel it’s important to not just perform as well as possible, but to inspire others to have the courage and drive to achieve their dreams… as this is absolutely possible! My partnership with Vilaggio is very unique and to be honest, no other horse has ever touched my heart like this horse has. We are still building a relationship as I have only competed on him three times since he arrived in Australia last October, but if you were to describe his personality it would have to be like someone who just says, ‘it’s okay, don’t stress, enjoy and relax!’”
“To be part of the Australian
Paralympic team for Paris is
a lifelong honour and dream.”
Bridget Murphy & Penmain Promise (owned by Rosanne Mason and Bridget Murphy);
Groom: Kate Arton
Another Paralympic debutant, Bridget says could not be prouder of Penmain Promise, aka Macey. “She’s still only young, and to be able and willing to step up and up at each competition, it’s just such a testament to how amazing she is. I’m very lucky to be supported by an amazing team, who love her as much as I do, and we’re all so thankful for the support we’ve had from the whole community this campaign. I know there’s going to be so many people riding down that centreline at Versailles, I just hope we can make you all proud.”
RESERVES
Emma Booth & Saimir (owned by Kylie Eadie and Will McTaggart); Groom: Paige Drake
Sharon Jarvis & Furst Crusador (owned by Charlotte Lassetter); Groom: Daryl Ware
Zoe Vorenas & Salmour (owned by Zoe Vorenas, Dean Izzard and Melanie Jurgens);
Groom: Lori-Rae Filsell
