Central region team the ‘Red Kites’ took this year’s Para Home International title, held at Vale View Equestrian Centre, 1 – 2 June. The weekend was also host to qualifying classes for the KBIS
Regional teams consisted of up to four riders, all of whom rode their respective graded test twice; once on Saturday and then again on Sunday.
Riders took their best score through to the team results.
The final team results were then calculated by dropping the lowest score within the team from each day’s competition and totalling the remaining percentages, which were converted into points – the team with the highest number of points being crowned the winners.
Para equestrian rep for the Central region, Waveney Luke, said “We were all thrilled. Vale View worked really hard to create a lovely atmosphere and they couldn’t have been more helpful. And for once the weather was tremendously on our side!”
“The weekend was a huge success with lots of teams from around the country in attendance. Over the two days our four riders had the most consistent scores and team member Amanda Shirtcliffe posted the highest score of the whole competition. It was great having the KBIS classes running alongside the home international as it gave grass roots riders the chance to compete alongside World Class riders. Most of all though was the wonderful atmosphere – somebody even commented to me about how friendly para dressage was.”
In the qualifying classes for September’s 2013 KBIS Para Dressage Championship (held at the BD National Championships, Stoneleigh Park) there were the following winners: Sophie Christiansen, Lee Pearson, Erin Orford, Natasha Baker, Roberta Sheffield and Sophie Wells.
Storming ahead in the Grade 1a Individual class was Sophie Christiansen (pictured above) on her own Janeiro 6, posting a score of 75.978% - over five percent ahead of the second placed combination in her class and highest overall score of all the KBIS winners on the day.
25 year old Sophie started riding ‘Rio’ in 2011 and together they went on to win three gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics. The 16 year old german bred gelding was previously owned by Ferdi Eilberg, and ridden by his son Michael, who took the horse to first place at Prix St Georges level back in 2008.
“Chuffed to bits” with his ride Zion, despite tension in the indoor arena, was Paralympian Lee Pearson (pictured below) who scored 71.724% in the Grade 1b Individual class. Lee said “He warmed up in the outdoor like an absolute dream, he was so relaxed and in front of the leg. When we went in to the indoor for the test he got a bit upset and tension crept in so he went behind the leg and was a bit tight. At one point he cantered into a trot transition – I had to have a word with him afterwards to remind him that he’s a Grade 1b horse, and we don’t canter!”
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Lee has been concentrating on Zion, whom he has been competing on and off since 2010, following the retirement of his Olympic horse Gentleman at the end of 2012. “Gentleman has retired from para dressage now and is having a lovely time in his new home doing a bit of jumping. So now I’m concentrating on Zion and I really love him. I’m normally known for liking more ‘blingy’ types but he’s got the mentality of a cob and I love it! He makes me giggle. I get on him and hack him about everywhere on my own, I just really love riding him. We’re aiming for Hickstead and Hartpury and I’m also looking for another International horse with the help of the Lady Joseph Charitable Trust.”
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Team Results
1st Central Red Kites
414.513 points
Amanda Shirtcliffe, Tamsin Addison, Ruth Quartly, Katherine Cooksley.
2nd Wales Snowdonia
411.243 points
Lorna Lee, Julia Horton, Denise Smith, Georgia Wilson.
3rd Scotland & The East
399.599 points
Deborah Marks, Mari Durward-Akhurst, Alison Walker, Emma Douglas.
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Grade 1b Novice 2010 Restricted Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Val Fisher and Matetsi, NW Diamonds, 64.762%
Sunday’s Winner: Val Fisher and Matetsi, NW Diamonds, 59.048%
Grade II Novice 2010 Restricted Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Amanda Shirtcliffe and Run of the Mill, Central Red Kites 72.143%
Sunday’s Winner: Alex Sutton and Da Vinci II, SW The Sowesters, 71.071%
Grade III Novice 2010 Restricted Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Georgia Wilson and Avanti, Wales Snowdonia, 71.364%
Sunday’s Winner: Izzy Palmer and Gregonne Coco Chanel, Northern Pinocchio, 71.818%
Grade IV Novice 2010 (long arena) Restricted Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Tamsin Addison and Don Proviano, Central Red Kites, 67.500%
Sunday’s Winner: Deena Webster and Valentino H, NW Gentlemen, 65.938%
Grade 1b Team Test 2013 Open Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Lorna Lee and Newlands Sando Hit, Wales Snowdonia, 66.000%
Sunday’s Winner:
Grade II Team Test 2013 Open Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Deborah Marks and Cavalier Unno II, Scotland & The East, 68.309%
Sunday’s Winner: Deborah Marks and Cavalier Unno II, Scotland & The East, 65.515%
Grade III Team Test 2013 (long arena) Open Riders
Saturday’s Winner: Martin Matthew and Perry, Southern, 67.829%
Sunday’s Winner: Martin Matthew and Perry, Southern, 68.882%
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KBIS Qualifier Classes
Grade 1a Individual Championship 2013
Winner: Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6, 75.978%
Grade 1b Individual Championship 2013
Winner: Lee Pearson and Zion, 71.724%
Grade II Individual Championship 2013
Joint Winners: Erin Orford and Nirvana Morroko 71.571%
: Natasha Baker and Cabral 71.571%
Grade III Individual Championship 2013 (long arena)
Winner: Roberta Sheffield and Wonderboy, 68.110%
Grade IV Individual Championship 2013 (long arena)
Winner: Sophie Wells and Valerius, 72.739%
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Music Freestyle
Winner: Alex Sutton and Da Vinci II, 74.250%