Strong scores and smiles all round at Boneo CPEDI
The CPEDI at the Boneo Classic supported by NAB continued on Thursday with riders completing their Individual Championship test. With a position on the Aussie team at the Rio Paralympic Games up for grabs there were strong scores all round.
Victorian rider Emma Booth continued her impressive run at this event, producing a career best 75.334%.
Booth is still getting to know her mount, Mongelvangs Zidane, with the combination only coming together for the first time three weeks ago.
“I can’t take the smile off my face,” said Booth. “He’s got the perfect temperament and he’s picked it up so quickly.
“I’ll be riding as much as I can and working on my fitness between now and our final nomination event in Sydney.”
Grade 3 rider Katie Umback, also a first time Paralympic Games hopeful, will head overseas to further her chance of securing one of four team positions. Today she placed second in the Grade three, scoring 72.073% with her horse Gondskovlunds Marquis.
“I was really happy with him today. He had a bit of time off over Christmas and he has come back into work feeling fresh and ready to go for the year ahead.
“I’m looking forward to getting over to Europe, stepping-up to the next level and competing against the Europeans. I love a challenge – the bigger the better.”
Umback said this was an exciting time for Australian Para-Equestrian.
“We’ve got some really good quality horses coming through, good riders as well as up and coming riders, so it’s looking really promising going into Rio.
“Hopefully we can take a competitive team there and do Australia proud,” she said.
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