Sharon Jarvis and Romanos won the Grade 4 Test Test.

© One Eyed Frog Photography

By Equestrian Life

The Leader Equine Australian Para Dressage Championships began today at Boneo Park. Run by the team at Carlton Performance Horses, the competition is the first selection event this year for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Today saw the FEI Team Tests take place across the five grades, and combinations were keen to put their best hoof forward in front of the selectors. Despite almost being beach weather yesterday for the trot up, in typical Victorian fashion competitors were greeted today with an early taste of winter!

The Grade 1 went to Stella Barton and Allengreen Captivate on a score of 61.131%.

In the Grade 2 Victoria Davies took first and second place with Andaluka Elegido and Celere respectively. The stunning grey Andaluka Elegido scored 64.546%, while Celere scored 62.727%. In third place was Kellie Tinworth and Quamby Park Showmil on 55.965%.

In the Grade 3, Olympian and WEG representative Emma Booth scored 70.539% to win the class with Mogelvangs Zidane. Second place went to Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II on 60.245%.

Byalee Magic II in yesterday's trot up.

© One Eyed Frog Photography

The Grade 4 was won by Olympian Sharon Jarvis, riding Romanos to a score of 70.458%. Second place went to Phoebe Roche and Saddle Up Romper Stomper on 67.25%, third went to Claire Graham on Der Beste with 66.375%, and fourth went to Zoe Vorenas riding Little Brave with a score of 65.292%.

Finally, in the Grade 5 Stuart Drysdale and Blueberry 20 scored a narrow win over Dianne Barnes and Cil Dara Cosmic. Stuart scored 65.504%, while Dianne scored 65.31%. Third place went to Melanie Diplock and Lacara D on 62.364%, while fourth went to Noella Angel and Mallee Jack on 58.682%.

Competition continues tomorrow with the FEI Individual Test and Sunday with the Freestyles.

Alongside the FEI para dressage competition, the event is also running EA para dressage classes, Preliminary to Grand Prix tests and event HRCAV tests. Full results can be found here.

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