At Willinga Park on Sunday, Para Dressage and Virtus combinations that qualified for day three of the CPEDI entered the arena to dance to their music of choice in the freestyle test.
The Freestyle gives riders a chance to create a test of their own, establishing a floorplan that ideally highlights their strengths and hides their weaknesses. There are several compulsory movements that must be ridden and are scored individually, however riders can ride compulsory movements more than once, in whatever order they choose, and can also add in additional movements to enhance their degree of difficulty. The judges score the compulsory movements, but also the transitions, rhythm, harmony, riding skills, choreography, and finally the music and interpretation of the music.
The chat amongst competitors felt easy and fun throughout the morning on Sunday, with a sense that some of the pressure had been taken off for the final day of competition. Although riders are always looking to gain impressive scores, or improve on previous performances, technically the freestyle scores don’t count towards FEI World Championship qualification [qualifying scores come from the Grand Prix A and B tests for CPEDI3* competitors], so the tone around the stables was different.
After a wonderful BBQ hosted by Equestrian Australia on Saturday evening, in which everyone had a chance to socialise and catch up, this fun atmosphere continued through to Sunday – freestyle day!
Freestyle highlights
The first combination to make their way into the arena was Paris Paralympian, Bridget Murphy in the CPEDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle Grade II class. Bridget and Paris partner Penmain Promise danced to a wonderful test comprising of Fleetwood Mac music, and produced a great score of 72.278% to take the win in this grade.
The highest score of the day was the Paris Paralympic combination of Lisa Martin and Vilaggio, who produced a magnificent test here at Willinga Park to win the CPEDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle Grade V on a huge score of 76.742%! Lisa is a seasoned competitor and rides with extreme precision, but is also one of the best in the business at creating freestyles to suit her and the individual horse she is competing. She makes her riding look effortless but gets so much power, which is important at all levels, but particularly in the Grade V class. Lisa’s horse Vilaggio is a stunning chestnut, with incredible biomechanics and enormous presence. This horse is of international quality and will be making his mark on the world stage again should this pair be selected for Aachen later this year.
Another test that really caught my eye was Felicity Weal in the CPEDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle Grade III, riding her stunning dapple grey mare FTF Florita. The pair rode to some spunky and extremely well-suited Ed Sheeran remixes to score 67.789% for second place in this class. Felicity designed a challenging floorplan and nailed her choreography, adding in some non-compulsory movements and getting her mare to deliver the goods. FTF Florita, affectionately known as Pepper, is one of those horses that you watch and think how happy they look to be trying so hard for their para pilot. Felicity does such an amazing job with this sweet girl, and I love seeing how willing the beautiful Pepper is. Felicity has been gaining some training and coaching assistance from the lovely and experienced Paralympian and super horsewoman, Dianne Barnes. The performances produced this weekend are a testament to the time, training, and bond formed by Felicity, who should be extremely proud of what they have achieved here at Willinga Park.
The winners from each class on freestyle day are as follows:
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle V – Lisa Martin and Vilaggio (76.742%)
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle IV – Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna (70.500%)
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle III – Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3 (73.611%)
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle II – Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise (72.278%)
CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle I – Kylie Christian and Ivan Carlos (63.112%)
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate Freestyle II – Kate Nipperess and Dame Remi Wolverine (67.123%)
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate Freestyle IV – Brooke Neville and Remi Bellagio (68.400%)
CPEDI2* Para Intermediate Freestyle V – Heidi Ford and Rikaardt H (66.175%)
Virtus II3 – Grace Murphie-Ryan and Pemberton Show Bizz (67.475%)
Willinga wrapped!
So what do all these results mean for Aussie para riders as we move towards the FEI World Championships? There are now several combinations that have completed two of the three relevant competition criteria to be considered for team selection, gaining scores of over 67% at two CPEDI3* events. The third component of criteria states that riders must compete in no less than two CPEDI 3* events between 1 January 2026 and 15 June 2026. This means that riders who have gained qualifying scores now MUST compete in a minimum of one of the remaining selection events. These events are Boneo Park CPEDI3* in May, and/or Sydney CPEDI3* in June 2026.
There are now five riders that have completed the first elements of the competition criteria in the Australian selectin policy:
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio
Mietta Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut
Helen Batson and MSJ Tia Fortuna
Claire Graham and Furst Olli 3
There have been some amazing performances at Willinga Park, and the end of this event marks the “halfway” point of qualifying events in Australia. Combinations that are aiming to qualify for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen still have the opportunity to complete the selection policy’s competition criteria at the remaining two events. I can guarantee in nine weeks at Boneo Park, everyone will be ready and bringing their A-game! I am really looking forward to seeing how the remaining events unfold, and wish all horse and rider combinations the very best in their preparations moving forward.
