Seven of Britain’s most experienced para dressage riders are en route to Deauville CPEDI3* (22 - 24 March), the first international para competition in Europe of the 2013 season. Paralympic team gold medallists Sophie Wells and Deborah Criddle make their first trip of the year across the Channel and will be hoping their 2012 form is still with them. Deb rides LJT Akilles, her London partner, and they’re unbeaten in 2013 at all their para competitions. Deauville organisers have selected the combination as their poster stars - see on the website! Sophie travels with the Flemmingh –sired Valerius (pictured) for his first international trip since representing Britain, and claiming a hat-trick of gold medals, at the European Championships in Moorselle, 2011.
Our most decorated para equestrian, Anne Dunham, takes Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Lucas Normark, a Knabstrupper stallion, to kickstart the combination’s bid to regain a team spot at this year’s European Championships in Herning, Denmark at the end of August. The combination has not scored below 77% in their four outings this year so are in top form ahead of the French trip.
Emma Sheardown has made major changes to her training programme with her own Purdy’s Dream – a new trainer, new yard, new fitness regime - and it appears to be paying off as they’re unbeaten this year so will be looking for a good performance in Deauville.
Jo Pitt is another rider who has featured in Team GBR colours and with her mother and father’s Estralita, she’s won all her para starts this year as well as contesting able-bodied competitions at Medium level.
For Erin Orford, 2012 was her season to remember with some great results with Diana Barley and her own Nirvana Morroko and with three 70+% scores from four starts in 2013, it looks like her run of form is continuing.
Ricky Balshaw makes a welcome return to the international scene with his new partner, a third horse from the Lady Joseph Trust, LJT Enggaards Solitaire, purchased from Denmark. Their partnership is still in its early days but has shown some good form in their three outings this year.
Each rider will contest three tests – team, individual and freestyle in their relevant grade. The competition gets underway on Friday with the team tests, individual on Saturday and then the music on Sunday. For show information, news and results, visit the event website.
British entries:
Grade Ia
Rider: Anne Dunham – Broad Hinton, Wiltshire
Horse: LJT Lucas Normark – s. Ravaldi, 12yrs, 16.2hh, stallion, appaloosa
Owner: Lady Joseph Trust
Rider: Emma Sheardown – Barkston, Lincolnshire
Horse: Purdy’s Dream – s. Fandor, 15yrs, 17hh, gelding, bay
Owner: Rider
Grade Ib
Rider: Ricky Balshaw – Telford, Shropshire
Horse: LJT Enggaards Solitaire – s. BH Soprano, 8yrs, 16.1hh, gelding, dark bay
Owner: Lady Joseph Trust
Grade II
Rider: Erin Orford – High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Horse: Nirvana Morroko – s. Orame, 10yrs, 16.2hh, gelding, bright bay
Owners: Diana Barley and rider
Rider: Jo Pitt – Dereham, Norfolk
Horse: Estralita – s. Weltjunge, 11yrs, 16.2hh, gelding, black
Owner: Robert & Hazel Pitt
Grade III
Rider: Deborah Criddle – Taunton, Somerset
Horse: LJT Akilles – s. Amiral, 13yrs, 16.1hh, gelding, chestnut
Owner: Lady Joseph Trust
Grade IV
Rider: Sophie Wells – Papplewick, Nottingham
Horse: Valerius – s. Flemmingh, 11yrs, 17.2hh, gelding, liver chestnut
Owner: Rider