Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque, pictured here at a previous event. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
Top scores at Willinga Park CPEDI
By Equestrian Life
The Willinga Park CPEDI began today in Bawley Point on the NSW south coast, with CPEDI3*, CPEDI2* and Virtus competitors all taking to the arena for their first tests of the event.
The CPEDI3* classes across the grades held particular importance, being Paralympic qualifiers for competitors at this level.
Among other considerations, part of the nomination criteria for Australian team selection for the 2024 Paris Paralympics requires combinations to receive an overall percentage score of 67% or above in a Grand Prix Test A or B in at least two CPEDI 3* events between 1 October 2023 and 19 June 2024.
With the Grand Prix A tests taking place today, it was the first of two opportunities at this event for riders to achieve one of those 67%+ scores.
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque continued on with their form from the Australian Dressage Championships last year, winning the Para Grand Prix Test A Grade I CPEDI3* today on 71.458%, the highest score of the day.
Seven combinations contested the Para Grand Prix Test A Grade IV CPEDI3*, with three achieving 67%+ scores. Zoe Vorenas and Salmour won the class on a PB of 70.093%, with Zoe also finishing third riding WIS Forte on another PB of 67%. 2022 World Championship team rider Dianne Barnes finished second on 69.398% riding Sorena 7.
In the Para Grand Prix Test A Grade V CPEDI3*, two riders achieved qualifying scores: 2022 World Championship competitor and 2016 Rio Paralympian Lisa Martin won the test on 69.786% with Vilaggio, with Chelsea De Jonge and Don Dancier second on 68.419%.
The Para Grand Prix Test A Grade II CPEDI3* was won by Victoria Davies and her Tokyo Paralympic horse Celere, achieving a qualifying score of 67.299%
The Para Grand Prix Test A Grade III CPEDI3* was won by Samantha Hawes and Gotico Park Estralo with 58.056%.
In the CPEDI2* for up-and-coming combinations, the Para Intermediate A Grade V was won by Heidi Ford and Rikaardt on 57.738%, while the Para Intermediate A Grade IV went to Darcy MacAulay and Parklands Faltango with 66%. The Para Intermediate Test A Grade III went to Anne Skinner and Ballangeich Run Filou on 65.238%.
The event is also hosting a Virtus exhibition competition with classes held each day; Virtus is a global sporting movement for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Today, the Virtus Exhibition Team Test (II1) went to 2023 Virtus Global Games gold medallist Sarah Sherwood riding Dicavalli Royal Guess with a score of 69.750%, while the Virtus Exhibition Team Test (II3) went to Jodin Bell and Let’s Jazz It Up on 54.25%, and the Virtus Exhibition Team Test (II2) went to Sui Watts riding Gem Park Guess on 64.762%.
Congratulations to all competitors! Competition continues tomorrow and Sunday.
Full results and draws from Willinga Park CPEDI can be found here.
Re-watch today’s live stream action via ClipMyHorse.TV here.
Published 16 February 2024.
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