Latest News
Photos from the World Para Dressage Championships
July 2007
9th Place at World Championships
For photos and details of my World Championship experience click here
World Championship riders announced
The list of 142 riders from the 34 countries competing at the World Championships is now displayed on the Hartpury website.
Click here to view.
KBIS Qualifier, Vale View, 1 July
Following a week training at Moody's yard with both horses, we set off to Vale View hoping that the roads on the way wouldn't be flooded. We had a 6.30am start, as I had entered Indi in Elem 44 as well as both horses in the KBIS qualifier (Grade III Team Test).
As the World Class squad were mainly at Hickstead, the turn out could have been better, but there were one or two riders making new appearances on very nice new horses. I had a good start to the day with Indi coming second in the Open section of the Elementary in the morning. I then had to wait until 4pm to ride again. Daniel Manning on Anona Young's Jean Baptiste was the main opposition, having won the Grade III Derby Test with over 71% on their first outing together.
Indi was really on form and scored well with 70.77%, but Eliza beat him by one mark for 70.9%, which meant I gained 1st and 2nd places, with Daniel 3rd on 68.65%. Georgia Wilson was 4th. I hope this will be good enough to secure a place for me at the final at Stoneleigh.
Full results to follow soon. See photos from the Vale View KBIS qualifier.
Para Showjumping in the UK
If you're a disabled rider interested in competing in showjumping, you need to know about the event taking place at Crockstead on 14th & 15th August 2007. The organisers hope to attract riders from across Europe as well as the UK, and there are Show Jumping, Dressage and Combined Training classes of various levels.
For more information on the show visit www.esas.org.uk/parasj or contact the organiser, Andy Lawes, on 01424 819450 or email parasj@esas.org.uk.
Alternatively you can contact Tont Bott, the Co-ordinator for Para Showjumping in the UK.
Para Dressage at Hickstead
Several members of the GB World Championship squad took the opportunity to perform their freestyles at Hickstead on 1st July.
See results here:
Grade 1a
Grade 1b
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV
KBIS Qualifier, Myerscough, 11 July
Riders from Australia and Hong Kong turned out for the KBIS qualifier at Myerscough which proved to be an excellent practice for them on their borrowed World Championship mounts.
In the Australian squad there are two very strong Grade III riders, and my KBIS class was won by former Paralympian Marita Hird with over 74%. I was 2nd on Indi with 70.19, above Aussie newcomer Sharon Jarvis who achived 3rd place. I was then 4th on Eliza. I am pretty sure that I have qualified for the final at Stoneleigh - the riders with the 5 highest percentages in each grade (I-IV) will qualify.
This has confirmed for me that Indi is the horse I will ride at the World Championships. He was really on his toes at Myerscough which is great because it makes him forward going and gives him lots of presence.
Click here for results. If you're trying to work out if you've qualified. remember that the Australian riders who were placed at Myerscough won't be coming back over to England for the final!