Australia’s Para Dressage riders descended on the magnificent Willinga Park for the first CPEDI Paralympic Qualifier for 2024. The privilege to compete at this world class venue was definitely not lost on the riders.

I must begin with the biggest thank you to Equestrian Australia and the AIS for their support of the High Performance Program, to Carlton Performance Horses for running another fabulous show, and of course to Terry Snow and his team at Willinga Park for their generous sponsorship of the event, and making it possible for us to experience the amazing venue. This place really needs to be seen to be believed. I truly encourage taking any chance you get to experience it for yourself.

Riders and their teams came from all over Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, and all up and down the east coast, and rolled into Willinga Park with the aim of gaining the ever-important qualifying scores that allow for nomination for the Paris 2024 Paralympic team.

There were also CPEDI2* Intermediate classes on offer for those combinations who wanted to gain competition experience, but were not yet ready for the CPEDI3* Grand Prix level. It’s fantastic to see these classes being offered more and more, and it’s a great step forward for the development of the sport.

2022 World Championship team member Dianne Barnes contested the CPEDI3* Grade IV classes with excellent results aboard mare Sorena 7, and says it was an amazing experience to compete at Willinga Park. “It is such a stunning place. Thank you to Terry Snow and Equestrian Australia for making it possible. I’m super happy with how Sorena and I performed there, she really tried her heart out for me. It’s been fantastic to get qualifying scores and we’re looking forward to the rest of the Paris Campaign.”

This event was also significant as it welcomed the Virtus riders (riders with intellectual disabilities) to compete in exhibition classes. Australia’s Virtus riders are the current World Champions after their successes in France last year, so it was fantastic to have them and their teams there, adding to the supportive atmosphere.

LOOKING FORWARD TO PARIS

In order to be nominated for team selection, riders must secure two scores over 67% in a CPEDI3* (or above) Grand Prix A or Grand Prix B test during the qualifying period (1 October 2023 to 19 June 2024), and must attend two CPEDIs (CPEDI3* and above) between 1 January and 19 June 2024. They must also meet a range of other criteria set out in the nomination policy (which can be found on the EA website here), and well as the FEI Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER).

As it stands, after the completion of the first CPEDI for 2024, and the second of the four CPEDIs in Australia during the qualifying period, there are 24 Australian riders across a total of 36 combinations that have met the FEI MERs for Paris. And, with only three spots on the team and one individual slot, it’s going to be a tough and competitive campaign season!

The Paralympic team also must consist of at least one rider from Grades I, II or III 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 in terms of 67%+ nomination scores.

GRADE I
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque: 72.361% and 74.445% at Boneo, October 2023, and 71.458% and 73.681% at Willinga Park, February 2024.

You can read more about Stella and Lord Larmarque’s story in the November 2023 issue of Equestrian Life.

GRADE II
Maddison Cooke and Baylee Magic II: 67.874% at Boneo, October 2023.
Victoria Davies and Celere: 67.299% at Willinga Park, February 2024.

GRADE III
No combinations with qualifying scores.

GRADE IV
Dianne Barnes and Sorena 7: 69.028% at Boneo, October 2023, and 69.398% and 68.378% at Willinga Park, February 2024.
Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3: 67.5% and 67.5% at Boneo, October 2023.
Kirsty Van Loon and HV Dante: 67.732% and 69.009% at Boneo, October 2023.
Zoe Vorenas and Salmour: 70.093% and 69.910% at Willinga Park, February 2024.
Zoe Vorenas and WIS Forte: 67.000% and 68.108% at Willinga Park, February 2024.

Zoe had a very busy event with two horses to ride, and echoes Dianne’s sentiment regarding what a privilege it was to compete at a venue like Willinga Park. “It was definitely a bucket list event, and to walk away with both horses gaining qualifying scores on both days was such a thrill.”

It was Zoe’s first event with the beautiful Salmour, a horse she’s had for under six months. “He was beautifully trained and competed to Grand Prix by Dean Izzard from Queensland, and I feel very lucky to be handed the reins of such a horse. He was a total professor out there and I can’t wait to see what a few more events and a bit more time as a partnership does. Of course, lovely WIS Forte was a star and is really starting to shine out there! Just a silly rider error on the first day, but I’m really excited to see how he goes this year.”

GRADE V
Chelsea de Jonge and Don Dancier: 67.991% and 68.114% at Boneo, October 2023, and 68.419% and 68.070% at Willinga Park, February 2024.
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio: 69.786% and 71.316% at Willinga Park, February 2024.
Lisa Martin and Juicy Wiggle: 70.000% at Willinga Park, February 2024.

West Australian rider Chelsea de Jonge, who is currently based on the east coast, says she felt honoured and proud to ride at such a beautiful venue with so many inspiring, amazing people. “The Willinga CPEDI was such an incredible event! I was super proud to have received more qualifying scores over the weekend and seeing improvements in my riding from Nationals and watching my partnership with Don Dancier grow more and more… he really is the most special guy! It’s going to be a super exciting year.”

With so many strong combinations already gaining such high scores, it’s certainly going to be interesting and exciting over the next few months! Plus, with two more Australian-based CPEDIs, there is still time for riders to post scores for consideration. As we all know, when horses are involved, anything can happen! The next CPEDI in Australia will be at Boneo Park, Victoria, on 11-14 April, followed by the last CPEDI qualifier in Australia, in June at Hawkesbury Dressage Festival in Sydney. EQ

Re-watch the action via ClipMyHorse.TV.

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