Zoe Vorenas and Salmour. Image by James Abernethy.

Para dressage riders debut at DJWTS

By Equestrian Life

Para riders stepped out at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars on Sunday for the first time in the event’s history, with classes offered across the grades at various levels – catering to up-and-coming combinations and Paralympic hopefuls alike.

While not an international-level (CPEDI) event and therefore not a Paralympic qualifier, the event was a great opportunity for elite riders to get a few more competition miles under their belts ahead of the CPEDI next month at Boneo Park.

In the Grade II, the seasoned combination of Maddison Cooke and 18-year-old Warmblood gelding Byalee Magic II won both the Grand Prix A and Grand Prix B tests with impressive scores of 70.173% and 68.917%.

Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II, pictured here competing at a previous event. Image: One Eyed Frog Photography.

Anne Skinner and 11-year-old Warmblood mare Ballangeich Run Filou, owned by Roxanne Baz, won both Grade II tests, scoring 62.417% in the Grand Prix A and 62.917% in the Grand Prix B.

In the Grade IV, Zoe Vorenas and Salmour (Soliman de Hus x Madonna, by Matcho AA) built on their strong competition debut at the Willinga Park CPEDI, scoring 72.153% to win the Grand Prix A and 73.041% to win the Grand Prix B. Zoe purchased the rising 15-year-old German-bred Hanoverian gelding from Dean Izzard late last year, and so they are a very new combination that will no doubt continue to grow with more time together.

The Grade V saw Mietta Innes-Irons and eight-year-old KWPN gelding Van Eyk Little Lord, owned by Joanne Furphy and Avril Van Eyk, win both tests with great scores of 69.408% in the Grand Prix A and 70.834% in the Grand Prix B.

DJWTS certainly delivered some exciting results amongst our elite para riders, and it will be exciting to see them build on the experience and hopefully post Paris Paralympic qualifying scores at the CPEDI level next month!

EA Para Dressage Elementary and Novice classes were also run on Sunday, with full results available via Equestrian Hub.

Published 25 March 2024.

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