Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque, winners of the Grade I Grand Prix Test A. Image: One Eyed Frog Photography.
Paralympic qualifier gets underway at Boneo Park
By Equestrian Life
The Stable Ground Australian Dressage Championships commenced today in Victoria, with para dressage riders the first to set foot on the pristine arenas at Boneo Park.
A record number of 25 para riders are competing across the event, and it’s terrific to see the sport growing here in Australia.
Offering CPEDI3* classes across all para grades, the Championships present riders with their first opportunity to secure selection scores for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
In addition, CPEDI2* classes mean that many newly classified combinations are stepping out for the first time at this level. In addition, as an Australian team this is our final opportunity to record a team result for the 2024 Paralympic Games with the aim being to improve our ranking and secure a team starting slot.
To post a qualifying score for the Paris Paralympics, individual 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 between 1 October 2023 and 19 June 2024 (as per the selection criteria).
Today at Boneo, several riders posted scores exceeding that threshold, which is an exciting development in their campaigns towards Paris.
Wednesday results
The Grade I Grand Prix Test A went to Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque (Locksly II x Veritas AA), who posted the biggest score of the day with an impressive 72.361%. Formerly ridden by Sharon Jarvis for the past ten years, 16-year-old Lord Larmarque is owned by Jade Edwards.
The Grade II Grand Prix Test A went to Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II on 67.874%, while the Grade V Grand Prix Test A saw Chelsea De Jonge claim the win with Don Dancier, scoring 67.991%.
The Grade IV Grand Prix Test A was won by Dianne Barnes and Sorena on 69.028%, with Kirsty Van Loon and HV Dante also picking up a qualifying score with 67.732% in second place, as did Claire Graham and Fürst Olli 3 in third on 67.593%.
The Grade III Grand Prix Test A went to Kelly Ffrost and Karabil Park Janz on 63.667%.
In the CPEDI2* classes, the Grade II Inter A Test went to Rebecca Webber and Glenayre Skyline on 59.588%; the Grade IV Inter A Test went to Darcy MacAulay and Parklands Faltango on 68.6%; and the Grade V Inter A Test went to Georgina Bills and Chapplehurst Wynter on 69.286%.
Well done to all riders!
Full results can be found here.
The CPEDI3* combinations have another chance to post a Paralympic selection score on Thursday when the Grand Prix Test B gets underway across all five grades.
Equestrian Life and ClipMyHorse.TV Australia live streaming all classes in Sabble Farm Ring 1
from Thursday to Sunday, so be sure to tune in and watch all the action!
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