Wellington Premier League was also proud to host the KBIS Gold Semi-Finals. Top para riders from across the country gathered together to battle it out for places at the Championship Final, which will be held at the LeMieux National Championships in Warwickshire. The top four from each grade scoring over 65% secured their place and para dressage icon, Sophie Christiansen got things off to a fine start in the Grade Ia semi-finals, scoring a strong 72.10% to win the class with her own 19-year-old Jacquare gelding, Janeiro 6 (pictured).
“So so proud of this boy today!” announced Sophie from her Facebook page. “Came out as my reserve for the KBIS Gold Semi-Finals as part of Rio selection and won! I think he wanted to prove a point that there's still life in the old boy yet! Many thanks to my support team!”
26-year-old Sophie Wells did the one-two in the Grade IV semi-final, claiming the title with partner Valerius – her 14-year-old Flemmingh gelding – with 73.25% and second on Charlotte Hogg’s nine-year-old British-bred son of Fidertanz, C Fatal Attraction, who scored 71.31%. Sophie also had reason to celebrate in the Grade III class as protégé Izzy Palmer won with Sophie’s 2012 Paralympic horse, Dr Rosemary Walker’s 19-year-old Landeur gelding, Pinocchio. In just their third competition together, the new combination scored an impressive 70.81% to claim their place at the championship final in September.
Para dressage stalwart, Lee Pearson is set to head to the Nationals once again with his own 11-year-old gelding, Zion. Together, they scored a solid 72.70% to claim the Grade Ib Semi-Final title.
The Grade II top spot went to Middlesex-based Natasha Baker and her own, Lorraine Baker and Christian Landolt’s Cabral. Natasha and the 15-year-old Polish gelding, known as JP at home, topped the leader board with a whopping 75.57%. The dynamic duo also claimed the music freestyle, dancing their way to the day’s highest score of 76.91%.
“What a day! Couldn't have gone better!” revealed Natasha. “JP and I won the grade 2 championship which turned out to be the highest score over all the grades... THEN went on to win the Overall Music Championship this evening with the highest score of the day!! What a superstar he is, I am one proud mummy!!!”
KBIS have released a fabulous video featuring interviews and clips of the action. Click here to view.
For full results, click here.
Results
Grade II test 21
Edward Chanin with My Rubicon, 65.00%
Grade III Novice
Julia Horton with Premier Joyful Moon, 69.54%
Grade IV Novice
Emily Skerrett with Woody Allen MF, 61.98%
Grade Ia Individual Championship
Sophie Christiansen with Janeiro 6, 72.10%
Grade Ib Individual Championship
Lee Pearson with Zion, 72.70%
Grade II Individual Championship
Natasha Baker with Cabral, 75.57%
Grade III Individual Championship
Izzy Palmer with Pinocchio, 70.81%
Grade IV Individual Championship
Sophie Wells with Valerius, 73.25%
Music Freestyle
Natasha Baker with Cabral, 76.91%