Formosa qualifies for freestyle
Grade Ib Para-Equestrian Joann Formosa has qualified for Friday’s Freestyle after finishing 8th in today’s Individual Championship at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014.
For their performance Formosa and her London 2012 Paralympic Games gold medal winning horse Worldwide PB received a score of 68.310.
Friday’s Freestyle will be the final outing for 20 year old Worldwide PB and Formosa is planning to make the most of the experience. She’s prepared a new freestyle for the occasion and is keeping the test under wraps.
“It’s a very special Freestyle. I’m looking forward to having one more dance with my horse on the open stage.
“It feels fantastic to be in this position. Worldwide can go out and dance one more time, to a soundtrack that’s been personalised especially to suit his personality.”
Earlier in the day Australia’s grade 3 Para-Equestrians Lizzie Sobecki and Chelsea Higgins completed their individual championship test.
South Australian Sobecki and her horse Hatero DE PB were out to improve upon their score from Monday’s team test for which Sobecki set a goal to surpass 65 percent, which she did, receiving a score of 66.927.
“I went out there with a little extra oomph today. I said to myself, its show time, what have you go to lose.
“We’re at the World Championships. This is what we train for. You don’t train to go half mast.
“It was incredible. What I felt in the ring was unbelievable. My horse gave me everything.”
Sobecki ended the Individual Championship in 10th ahead of fellow Aussie Chelsea Higgins and HP Comedian who finished 13th with a score of 66.268%.
“I didn’t go as well today as I did yesterday, it’s my first time on the international stage and I take it all as a great experience," said Higgins.
“He (HP Comedian) was good, he tried his little heart out, I tried a little bit too hard, therefore I made a few mistakes and I can’t blame that on him.”
Grade 4 Para-Equestrian Nicole Blanks (Vledder will be back in action at the La Prairie Racecourse on Thursday.
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