Britain sent a strong all-female quartet to the Deauville CPEDI3* last weekend and our ladies were in flying form. Organised by Handi Equi Complet, Deauville celebrated its fifth anniversary this year and the spring international was a dress rehearsal for September’s European Para Championships which take place at the venue in the north west of France.
In the Grade Ib, Anne Dunham made a welcome return to the competition arena with the Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Lucas Normark after missing the 2014 competition season. The Wiltshire rider had a battle royal through the three competitions with Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan with her London partner Ruben James but Anne came out on top with two wins. In the team test, it was honours even on 75% but Anne stole the win with better collectives. It was also Anne’s day in the individual test with the Knabstrupper stallion with 76.217%. On the final day, Laurentia and Ruben displayed the form which won them silver in London 2012 to take freestyle honours but Anne and Lucas certainly have laid their mark down on the potential team sheet for a return trip to Deauville in September.
Deb Criddle debuted her latest para partner in the Grade III, LJT Bacchus and Heather Bennett, a recent addition to the World Class Development Programme, made her Deauville debut with her seasoned partner of three years, Zavailantika. Susanne Sunesen of Denmark dominated the Grade with wins in all three tests riding Thy’s Que Faire but she was pushed by the British duo all the way. In the Team test, Heather and ‘Tika’ were just behind Susanne on 71.158% but their test split the judges with one having the partnership to win, one in eighth and the rest second. Deb was third with 68.947%. In the Individual test, Heather and her Rhodium mare had an off day where things didn’t quite go to plan but 67.268% still gave sixth spot while Deb again took third with LJT Bacchus on 68.585%. Heather and Tika then channelled Saturday’s disappointment into determination to post 70.3% in the Freestyle which gave them second with Deb in fifth on 69.1%.
In the Grade IV, Sophie Wells was in dominant form with her European and World medallist, the Flemmingh sired Valerius (pictured) and took a hat-trick of victories. She also competed Charlotte Hogg’s promising youngster, C Fatal Attraction in his first competition away from British shores and he also claimed two top four placings. In the team test, it was a 2.2% victory over long-time rival Frank Hosmar of the Netherlands on 73.333% while in the individual, ‘Reece’ was on fire to score 74.714% and claim first unanimously by all five judges with ‘Jorge’ third on 68.810%. On Sunday, Sophie and Reece danced to victory and the show’s highest score with 79.55%.
One of the features of Deauville is the team competition which Britain won ahead of the Netherlands with Singapore third.
For full results – click here.
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Wells wows in Deauville
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