Australia’s Para-Equestrians Shine in Paris
The 3-year lead up to the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 has provided motivation and focus for Para-Equestrians and their teams. As spectators, we can only imagine the thrill of riding on the magnificent Paris arena, taking in the stunning views of the iconic Chateau de Versailles.
Australia was fortunate enough to have a full team of four athletes with representation across four of the five grades. Our Grade 1 representative was Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque owned by Jade Moody with groom, Ashley Campton. Grade ll was Bridget Murphy with her own and Rossanne Mason’s Penmain Promise with groom Kate Arton. The Grade lV combination was Dianne Barnes with the mare Sorena owned by Sharon McCombe and groomed by Rebecca Haythorpe. In Grade V, Lisa Martin rode her ownVilaggio, with Maddison McAndrew as their groom.
Tuesday 3rd September marked the commencement of competition and the hard work and dedication of the riders, owners, coaches, support teams, officials and all personnel involved in Para-Equestrian in Australia is acknowledged, their teamwork and camaraderie shone a spotlight on the strength of the sport “down under” along with the systems Equestrian Australia has put in place to see this arm of equestrian sport flourish.
Day 1 saw Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise first to go for Australia in the Grade II test. Stepping out on the magnificent arena at Versailles, the pair delivered a beautiful test for a score of 66.724 which put them into 7th place and most importantly, qualifying them for the Individual Freestyle on Saturday.
Australia’s Grade 1 representative, Stella Barton and the stallion Lord Larmarque drew an evening time and experienced the joy of riding in beautiful surroundings with millions of people watching their test through the magic of live streaming. This combination produced a fantastic result of 70.833, finishing in 8th place out of the 22 combinations, this score takes them through to the Individual Freestyle.
Wednesday 4th Sept. Day 2 of competition and first up for Australia was Dianne Barnes riding Sorena, with the pair making their Paralympic debut in Versailles. A score of 65.444% in the Grade IV gave them a 12th place, just missing out on a spot in the Freestyle. Dianne said after the class, "the mare got a little bit worried about the atmosphere and being on her own out there. She has been terrific over the past few days but she has had company and following the local (French) rider today, there was quite a lot of cheering before we went in. We made mistakes but that happens and she is a horse, not a robot, I am really proud of her.”
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio in the Grade V performed to a capacity night time crowd and this lovely combination entered the arena on a mission that delivered a score of 70.436%, and a 5th place finish, well and truly qualifying for the Freestyle. Lisa was delighted with her 7-year-old and said that he gave so much as to give her goosebumps.
Following the Team presentation ceremony, our riders, owners, grooms and all supporters were pleased with the 12th placing as a Team in Versailles.
Three riders moved through to the individual tests, in Grade V Lisa Martin and Vilaggio was first of the Aussies out on the sand and scored 68.868. Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque in Grade 1 recorded another great score of 70.375 and Bridget Murphy with Penmain Promise rounded off our individual performances with an excellent test for 67.100. This left all Australians looking forward to the Individual Freestyle on Saturday 7th September.
The Freestyle competition was a wonderful way to wrap up Australia’s Paris 2024 Para-Equestrian campaign - three Aussie Para Dressage combinations went through to the Individual Freestyle with all producing scores above 70%. Lisa Martin and Vilaggio were the first to go in the Grade V competition and they delivered a beautiful test to finish with 71.905% which gave them 5th place overall.
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque were the first combination out for Grade I and scored a fantastic 73.960%, finishing in 7th place at the end of the class. Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise wrapped up the Aussie campaign with a lovely Grade II test for 70.154%, also in 7th place.
Words cannot express how proud Equestrian Australia, members and supporters are of our Para Dressage athletes. We thank the riders for the wonderful way they represented their country and acknowledge the support teams and owners for their ongoing commitment, support and hard work during this campaign. Well done.
Full results HERE
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