Main image: Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque, pictured here with groom Ash Campton, scored 73.960% to place seventh in the Grade I Freestyle. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Inside Paris | Presented by RB Sellars
Two-time Paralympian Emma Booth reports on Saturday’s classes:
Grade II: Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise produce the goods in Paris
Bridget and Macey danced such a graceful and technically difficult test to “Down Under” by Men At Work. The choreography was a highlight for me, showing symmetry and well executed, non-compulsory movements which would have added to their degree of difficulty. It was magnificent to watch Bridget point out to the judges their best facets and for her to be rewarded accordingly. Today we saw some extremely wise test riding by Bridget, securing a huge score of 70.154% in Paris. It is such an incredible feat to crack 70% on home soil let alone on the world stage at your first Paralympics. Bridget placed seventh overall.
Bridget, you’re amazing and I’m so proud of you (as is the rest of Australia).
The Grade II Freestyle gold medal went to Fiona Howard of the U.S.A who put forward an incredible test as she and Diamond Dunes danced to powerful and emotive music from the Avatar soundtrack. Fiona scored an exciting 81.994%. This pair has made their Paralympic debut, won three gold medals, and let the world know who they are why they should expect to see much more of them in the future.
Georgia Wilson and Sakura of Great Britain was such a pleasure to watch, taking silver with a score of 79.374%.
Bronze was taken for the first time at 69 years of age by Heidemarie Dresing of Germany with Dooloop on an impressive score of 76.127%.
TOP 3:
Gold = Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes (USA)
Silver = Georgia Wilson and Sakura (Great Britain)
Bronze = Heidemarie Dresing and Dooloop (Germany)
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise scored 70.154% to place seventh in the Grade II Freestyle. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Fiona Howard of the USA claimed the Grade II Freestyle gold medal with Diamond Dunes. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Grade I: Stellar performance!
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque sand dancing to their Hanz Zimmer “Australia” Freestyle had me in tears of joy as the pair executed a test that could only be described as BLOODY BRILLIANT! Stella and Jade Moody’s chestnut stallion “Bug” absolutely owned the stage tonight. I was literally bursting with pride as the two navigated each intricate movement with ease, power and coordination. After her final halt and salute, onlookers could feel every ounce of emotion Stella was exuding as she left the main arena with both hands held high above her head and an enormous smile. This is what our sport is all about – I couldn’t have loved this moment any more! It was also extremely heartwarming to see the Aussie team on the “kiss and cry” camera expressing so many emotions, as this incredible pair finished their final ride in Paris. Stella scored a hugely impressive 73.960% which has not only secured her seventh overall position in the Grade I Freestyle, it secured her a place in the future of our sport and certainly in our hearts. Well done Stella, Australia couldn’t be prouder!
Rihards Snikus of Latvia produced a phenomenal test aboard King of the Dance. The pair danced the pants off their Freestyle with funky music that gained them a score of 82.487% to take their second gold medal from the Paris games.
Italy’s Sara Morganti produced a clear and mistake free test with Mariebelle to rather elegant music. The duo conveyed ease and rightfully scored a huge 80.694% to take silver.
Great Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg scored 77.747% for bronze.
TOP 3:
Gold = Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance (Latvia)
Silver = Sara Morganti and Mariebelle (Italy)
Bronze = Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg (Great Britain)
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Rihards Snikus of Latvia claimed the gold medal in the Grade I Freestyle with King of the Dance. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio scored 71.905% to place sixth in the Grade V Freestyle. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Grade V: Lisa Martin finishes sixth in Paris
Lisa Martin was the first Australian rider (second Grade V rider) to hit the arena on Freestyle day: the final day of Para Equestrian competition at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Lisa’s music was the perfect combination of modern and dramatic – she rode a wonderful test that was artistically so well put together and really highlighted her horse’s strengths. A huge congratulations to Lisa and Vilaggio, who scored an impressive 71.905%.
Kevin van Ham from Belgium followed Lisa and was so fun to watch with horse Eros Van Ons Heem. Kevin has a left arm amputation just below the elbow yet navigates his horse so evenly on both reins, not favouring one side more even in the slightest. He rode with such tact and accuracy – the music was thoroughly enjoyable, and they gained a great score of 73.010%.
Swedish rider Lotta Wallin entered to her Grease-themed music, which was extremely enjoyable. Lotta and Questionmark made such a lovely picture and it was hard not to feel nostalgic as you watched them ride; listening to these classic songs definitely took me back to my childhood. The combination have only been together for a very short three months and managed to gain 70.565% for their final ride to music in Paris.
Sophie Wells (Great Britain) rode LJT Egebjerggards Samoa to gentle music, which in my opinion was a very clever and soothing choice for this young horse. I don’t think many riders could have managed to produce such breathtaking work from this inexperienced horse on the world stage in such an electric atmosphere. The duo went to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 75.445%.
The next rider into the arena was Michele George from Belgium with Best of 8, who had absolutely beautiful music (a combination of How to Train Your Dragon and Forest Gump). As usual the pair had our full attention from start to finish and were the definition of all the things we seek in a Freestyle performance. They scored 81.470%, which put them into the gold medal position.
Regine Mispelkamp of Germany was the final rider from Grade V with Highlander Delight’s. Regine put on a beautiful performance, which had everyone on the edge of their seats. Her stunning routine set to dramatic, enchanting music was beautifully timed and gave the pair a score of 79.550% to finish in silver.
TOP 3:
Gold = Michele George and Best of 8 (Belgium)
Silver = Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s (Germany)
Bronze = Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (Great Britain)
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Michèle George of Belgium claimed another gold in winning the Grade V Freestyle with Best of 8. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Grade IV: Dutch rider Demi does it again!
Manon Claeys from Belgium started the day of Freestyle dancing with a lovely mixture of music that really highlighted her lovely, big horse’s paces. This was a strong test that scored Mamon and Katharina Sollenburg 75.745%.
Next on the world stage in France was the first of the two Grade IV French riders, Alexia Pittier, who is 31 years old and dancing at her first Paralympic Games. Alexia and horse Sultan 768 chose a number of French songs that were light, easy and reflected the effortless work they put forward in front of their home crowd today. It was easy and pleasing to watch, berets off to Alexia who received a great score of 75.795%.
Kate Shoemaker of U.S.A danced to music from the Forest Gump soundtrack with Vianne. It was catchy and fun, which suited her lovely, little grey horse. Kate’s experience shone as she demonstrated some very technically difficult work, especially considering this horse is rather young for this level of competition. The pair’s timing to each change of music was spot on. It was a wonderful performance that scored a huge 80.170%.
Next on stage from the first half of the Grade IV riders was Swedish athlete, Louise Etzner Jakobsson, who rode to a number of catchy and upbeat ABBA songs with Goldstrike B.J. This Dancing Queen was a pleasure to watch and scored 73.570%, which wasn’t quite enough to put them in the top half of this competitive class.
Sanne Voets, who was one of the three riders who made up the Dutch team that took home the silver medal yesterday, was out next. I could not take my eyes off the screen as this incredible partnership danced together in harmony around this amazing arena in Versailles. She was so in time with her music and demonstrated a degree of difficulty that never had viewers questioning if they would be able to pull it off or not. What a perfect pair – I think everyone watching would have been just as in awe as I was. A massive score of 79.880% left Sanne and Demantur sitting just behind Kate Shoemaker.
Germany’s first rider on Freestyle day was Anna-Lena Niehues. This lovely, compact black horse named Quimbaya 6 was captivating to watch and the music couldn’t have been more suited to this combination. Their timing was flawless, the degree of difficulty was through the roof, and the overall a test really highlighted this horse’s magnificent paces. Her incredible score of 80.900% pipped Kate Shoemaker and put her in the lead with only three riders to go.
Vladamir Vinchon was the second last rider for the Grade IV with horse Pegase Mayenne, and in true form this showman put his best foot forward in the Freestyle. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again – I LOVE watching this combination. ‘Incredible’ is the first word that comes to my mind when trying to describe them. Vladamir was so clever with his choreography: emphasising his horse’s strengths while subtly covering the few weaknesses. Again, this dance routine was personally a highlight for me. Well done to Vladamir who scored 76.230%, which was a little harsh in my opinion.
The final rider out for the Grade IV Freestyle was the Individual gold medallist from the Netherlands, Demi Haerkens with Daula. This was such a smooth and flowing test that demonstrated quality of an incredibly high standard. Their music was dramatic and well timed. Although they may be Paralympic debutants, Demi squeezed absolutely every mark possible when it mattered most. She was rewarded with a well-earned score of 83.390%, which rocketed them in to first place and their second gold medal from their Paralympic debut in Paris.
TOP 3:
Gold = Demi Haerkens and Daula (Netherlands)
Silver = Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6 (Germany)
Bronze = Kate Shoemaker and Vianne (USA)
Demi Haerkens of the Netherlands was the gold medallist in the Grade IV Freestyle with Daula. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Grade III: Hart takes her third gold in Paris
Denmark’s Karla Dyhm-Junge and Miss Daisy entered the arena for Grade III and produced their best performance yet, with a routine choreographed to a combination of Madonna’s “Material Girl” and Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” to score 73.367%.
French rider Chiara Zenati and Swing Royal were the next combination to enter the arena and at just 21 years of age, she rode beyond her years. With extremely well-fitting, French themed music the pair produced a fantastic score of 75.914% in front of their home crowd. Although this will be Swing Royal’s final performance prior to retiring, I think it’s rather clear that young Zenati is just getting started.
Natasha Baker (Great Britain) and Dawn Chorus followed the French combination into the arena, starting their dance to Cher, which was followed by some very boppy Shania Twain. Natasha has said she made these music choices as she feels they adequately bring her personality to the Freestyle, and with a score of 77.140% they certainly were strong enough!
Dutch rider Rixt Van Der Horst was next to dance in the Grade III with Royal Fonq, and we expected big things after their incredible test yesterday placed them second in this field. Not only did they deliver, they exceeded expectations and scored a huge 83.007%! Their music was upbeat, rhythmical and electric – much like their performance!
Rebecca Hart from U.S.A was the final rider in the arena for the 2024 Paralympic Games. The combination strutted their stuff to the music from “Driving Miss Daisy”, which perfectly fitted mare Floratina’s light and effortless movement, as well as Hart’s soft, kind riding. Their score of 83.534% was enough to secure this combination gold for the third time in Paris, which meant that Rixt Van Der Horst only missed out on the gold by 0.527%.
TOP 3:
Gold = Rebecca Hart and Floratina (U.S.A)
Silver = Rixt Van Der Horst and Royal Fonq (Netherlands)
Bronze = Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus (Great Britain)
Rebecca Hart and Floratina were the gold medallists in the Grade III Freestyle for the USA. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
