Kirsty Van Loon and HV Dante. Image: One Eyed Frog Photography
Day two complete at the Stable Ground Australian Dressage Championships
By Equestrian Life
Thursday at the Stable Ground Australian Dressage Championships saw a wet and windy start, a stark contrast to yesterday’s picture-perfect blue skies and it certainly made it a little challenging for the first horses into the arena at 8.30am.
The CPEDI3* Grand Prix B Tests today provided para riders with their second opportunity at this event to achieve a selection score for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. As per the selection criteria, combinations must achieve an overall percentage score of 67% or above in a Grand Prix Test A or Grand Prix Test B in at least two CPEDI3* events within the selection period.
The Grade I Grand Prix B Test saw another terrific performance from Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque, with the pair improving on yesterday’s score to post an impressive 74.445%. This is one of the highest – if not the highest – Grade I CPEDI3* score achieved in Australia.
The Grade IV Grand Prix B Test saw two 67%+ scores, with Kirsty Van Loon and HV Dante winning the class on 69.009% and Claire Graham with Fürst Olli 3 finishing second on 67.567%.
In the Grade V Grand Prix B Test, Chelsea De Jonge and Don Dancier scored 68.114% to win the class.
In the Grade II Grand Prix B Test, Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II claimed the win on 66.667%, while the Grade III Grand Prix B Test went to Amylie Hines and EA Exquisite on 64.611%.
Para riders a little newer to the competition arena or with the more inexperienced horses had the opportunity to compete in the CPEDI2* Intermediate B Tests across the grades and despite many facing the worst of the rain, it was good to be able to gain the competition experience.
The Grade II Intermediate B Test went to Rebecca Webber and off the track Thoroughbred Glenayre Skyline; the Grade V Intermediate B Test went to Georgina Bills and Chapplehurst Wynter; and the Grade IV Intermediate B Test was won by Helen Batson and Devine MI.
With record para dressage entries at these Championships, it’s great to see the sport growing here in Australia. Tomorrow, the para riders will have the opportunity to ride their Freestyle tests, this time over in the indoor arena.
In other classes, the Prix St Georges went to NZ rider Melissa Galloway riding Windermere Integro, with the pair scoring 71.421%. It was a hotly contested class, with Robbie McKinnon and Hollands Bend Rococo scoring 71.087% for second place.
Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro were named the Australian Medium Champions, while Michelle Baker and RM Raspberry were named the Australian Medium Pony Champions.
The afternoon finished with the Big Tour and Medium Tour horses in action. The Inter II went to Kate Kyros and Chemistry with a score of 70.686%, while the Inter A was won by Dave McKinnon and Estupendo on 72.5%.
Full results from the Stable Ground Australian Dressage Championships can be found here.
Published 12 October 2023.
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