Seven of Britain’s top riders ventured to the north west of France for Europe’s first CPEDI of the season with overwhelming success. Grade IV rider Sophie Wells was the star of the show with her ‘second string’ Flemmingh-sired Valerius taking all three of her classes, and all with +75% scores. The double Paralympic gold medallist took home the rider of the show trophy for her efforts and tweeted; “Thank you Angela Weiss for making the past six years of training Reece worthwhile and making him the horse he is today!” – Reece is Valerius’s stable name and Angela Weiss is Sophie’s trainer.
In the Grade III competitions, Deb Criddle and LJT Akilles will wish to put their Deauville experience behind them. A spooky performance in the Team test left them in sixth place while in the individual, Deb was caught out by a change of test for 2013 so three errors of course lead to elimination. They had to settle for a place in the consolation freestyle but it was all back to the normal, expressive combination we know and love to score 74.30% - a score which would have won the final.
It was a battle in the Grade II between Jo Pitt and Erin Orford. On day one, Jo Pitt took the top honours with Estralita on 69.235% with Erin just a smidge behind on 69.176% with Diana Barley’s Nirvana Morroko. In the Individual test, Jo kept the momentum to post a second victory, this time breaking the 70% barrier while Erin had to settle for third with Demi Vermeulen for the Netherlands separating them. In the freestyle, Erin finished on top with her new music and floor plan – a great debut to score 73.050%! Jo was fifth with 68.5%.
Ricky Balshaw was in a tough competition in the Grade Ib with his new ride, Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Enggaards Solitaire with Austria’s Pepo Puch his main rival. In the Team test, Ricky gave it his best shot for 68.76% but Pepo was on flying form to win with 73.28%. However, it was Ricky who ended on top in the Individual test with 69% - a great victory at the first international together. The Freestyle is Pepo’s forte and with Fine Feeling S, he put up a performance to show just why they are reigning Paralympic champions for 76% with Ricky in third on 69%.
The Ia competition was competitive as ever with Britain battling with Ireland throughout. The first day belonged to Emma Sheardown and Purdy’s Dream, reaping the benefits of a winter spent training hard to score 70.783 with Irish duo Helen Kearney and Geraldine Savage in second and third respectively. The team test went to Anne Dunham with LJT Lucas Normark with a great 72.391% with Emma third, and Helen Kearney sandwiched between in second. The podium in the Freestyle remained unchanged but this time, Anne notched up an amazing 79.1%.
Great performances gave Britain the ascendancy in the Nations Cup with the team of Sophie, Emma, Anne and Deb finishing on 431.070 – a full 16 marks ahead of Denmark with Ireland in third.
Full results on the Handi Equi Compet website.
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Deauville proves just delightful!
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