Para-Equestrians counting down to WEG

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The Boneo Park CDI3* played host to Para-Equestrian classes for the first time in 2014 and the event  attracted a strong number of entries, including a host of WEG hopefuls eager to post strong scores to help their bid for one of the four team positions.

In order to be eligible for selection to the team which will compete in Normandy, riders which are campaigning from Australia need to compete in two of the three observation events. The third will be held in Sydney from 18-20 February and the first was staged back in December at the Saddleworld Victorian Dressage Festival.

National Performance Director for Para-Equestrian, Julia Battams was impressed with the progress being made by riders.

“The national dressage and Para-Equestrian clinic which was staged leading into this event has certainly been of benefit to our riders and this is reflected in the scores from the weekend.

“We have a number of riders challenging for just four positions on the WEG team and the healthy competition has led to some very good scores.”

The weekend didn’t go to plan for 2010 WEG bronze medallist Sharon Jarvis after her horse Lets Imaginesuffered a minor foot injury just prior to the start of competition. 

Her disappointment was slightly alleviated by a kind gesture from a former team-mate.

“When Jan Pike found out Lets Imagine had been ruled out, she asked me if I wanted to share her ride Cocon, so I rode him in the grade three while she rode him in the Grade IA.

“Jan and I were team mates in Beijing and I found this to be such a lovely gesture. It really picked me up after I found out that my horse couldn’t compete here this weekend.”

Jarvis is hopeful her mare will be fit for the final observation event in Sydney.

“We’re confident it is only a minor issue and that she’ll be ready to compete in time for Sydney,” said Jarvis.

Overall champions for the weekend were:

Grade 1A – Morgan Webb Liddle

Grad 1B – Joann Formosa

Grade 2 – Danielle Weymark

Grade 3 – Lizzie Sobecki                                      

Grade 4 – Kaye Hanna

Full results from the weekend are available HERE