Main image: Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise. Image by KimC.nu.
Inside Paris | Presented by RB Sellars
Day one of Para Equestrian action at the Paris Paralympics in Versailles saw the Grade I, II and III athletes in action for the Individual Competition (Grand Prix A test). Both Australian combinations – Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise (Grade II), and Stella Barton and Lord Lamarque (Grade I) – qualified for Saturday’s Freestyle with superb Paralympic debuts.
Two-time Paralympian Emma Booth reports on today’s classes:
The Para Equestrian is officially underway at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. This event has been highly anticipated around Australia since the team was announced nearly two months ago.
Stella Barton makes Australia proud at Paralympic debut
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque were true to form and pulled out a super score when it mattered most! The pressure was on these two to perform and that’s exactly what they did, gaining a score of 70.833%. The 17-year-old stallion (Locksley II x Veroska, by Veritas AA), known as Bug at home and owned by Jade Moody, stayed focused and relaxed thanks to extremely clever riding from Stella, even with a huge atmosphere in Versailles.
The combination competed in the Grade I and were led onto the field of play by groom Ashleigh Campton. The walk tests are particularly challenging to ride but you wouldn’t know it watching Stella and Bug – with a “look at me” presence, they made sure all eyes were on them. Stella rode each movement tactfully and didn’t leave anything behind. On completion of their ride there wasn’t a dry eye on the kiss and cry as fellow teammates hugged through tears of joy. A big mention must go to fellow Paralympian Sharon Jarvis, who facilitated this wonderful combination and has been Bug’s trainer at all qualifying events in Australia and currently in Paris. Also a massive shout out to Stella’s long term coach and para equestrian legend, Sally Francis. The effort that goes in behind the scenes is fundamental to a rider’s success and it’s so heartwarming to see when this superb teamwork leads to success.
Stella and Bug’s score placed them eighth in an impressive field of 22 combinations, qualifying them for Saturday’s Freestyle test.
Well done Stella, the whole of Australia is so incredibly proud of you and beautiful Bug!
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque (Locksley II x Veroska, by Veritas AA). Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Rihards Snikus of Latvia riding King Of The Dance took individual gold and the highest score on day one of competition – 79.167%. The combination oozed quality, accuracy and purpose, all things the judges love to see, with a walk that is one in a million. Although Rihards has fairly significant involuntary movement while riding, this did not impact the quality of their performance in the slightest – there was no miscommunication and King Of The Dance continued to demonstrate an active, marching walk whilst Rihards accurately rode each movement, never leaving a mark behind. He left the arena with the biggest smile on his face, which is what we love to see in this sport: athletes performing, enjoying their horses and having fun while they do it. I can’t wait to see what this combination produces in the Freestyle, definitely the ones to watch.
Roxanne Trunnel from the U.S.A produced a nearly flawless test that put them well in front of the pack on a score of 78.000% and gaining individual silver. The walk showed a clear four beat, marching tendency whilst the pair created an overall picture of ease, the ultimate goal for any horse and rider combination.
Sara Morganti started strong, however a few small mistakes in the free walk proved to be too costly to stay on top with the individual gold and silver medalists. The combination scored 74.625% and took home the bronze medal.
Full results from the Grade I Individual Competition can be found here.
Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque in the Grade I Individual Competition. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Rihards Snikus of Latvia riding King Of The Dance took individual gold in Grade I. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Grade II: Bridget Murphy delivers on Paralympic debut in Paris
Our Victorian based Grade II Australian para rider made her Paralympic debut in Versailles today with her young mare Penmain Promise (Macey to those in the stables back home), whom she owns in conjunction with Rossanne Mason. What a wonderful ride this combination had and how proud they must be! At just seven years old this Australian-bred Welsh (Triple Trees Prince Perfect x Mariana Lodge Yvonne, by Acheron Hot Chocolate) trotted around that world stage like an absolute professional. Bridget was tactful but certainly not playing it safe, riding with confidence and power. She showed the judges that although they may be small, they are fierce and absolutely mean business. The trot work from this combination was a highlight for me, with impulsion, ground cover and ease; they floated around the arena demanding everyone’s attention. A very respectable score of 66.724% and seventh place means that this dynamic duo have secured a ride in the Freestyle event on Saturday (top eight qualify). We can’t wait to watch these two dance to music in Paris. Here’s to Bridget Murphy, Macey, her coach Monica and groom Kate – dream team!
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise in the Grade II Individual Competition. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
Penmain Promise at the first horse inspection with groom Kate Arton. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Fiona Howard, who was also making her Paralympic debut, took out the second gold medal for U.S.A in Paris today aboard her mount Diamond Dunes – the combination scored an impressive 76.931%.
Double world champion Katrine Kristensen from Denmark took silver with a score of 73.966%, followed very closely by Georgia Wilson from Great Britian in bronze on 73.414% with both riders putting on a wonderful show for all to see.
58-year-old Pepo Puch – the smiling assassin – was a favourite of mine to watch in the Grade II. With his extremely sweet and willing gelding, Sailor’s Blue, Pepo rode an absolutely stunning test which showed cadence, rhythm, balance and power. Although you can see a considerable amount of movement in Pepo’s hands as he rides due to his disability, the steady contact and frame shown by the combination was just breathtaking, an absolute testament to the level of understanding and training between the pair. Pepo gained a super score of 72.793% – unfortunately this meant that they missed out on a bronze medal by only 0.621%. We’ll have our fingers crossed for them in the Freestyle!
Full results from the Grade II Individual Competition can be found here.
The Grade II podium, L-R: Katrine Kristensen of Denmark claimed the silver with Goerklintgaards Quarter; Fiona Howard of the USA won the gold with Diamond Dunes; and Georgia Wilson of Great Britain clinched the bronze with Sakura. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Grade III: Rebecca Hart gets the gold in Paris
Today the Grade III riders kicked off the competition and they certainly did not disappoint. The first rider to trot down the centerline at the incredible venue in Versailles was four-time Paralympian Francesca Salvade from Italy. Francesca and her 2017 Hanoverian gelding Escari produced a harmonious and mistake-free test, with a very respectable score of 71.566%, which placed them fourth overall against some extremely competitive combinations.
Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker from Great Britain was the first rider to top this score, producing a rhythmical and fluent test with her lovely Tokyo 2020 and Herning 2022 mare, Dawn Chorus. The combination managed to complete all movements, giving judges a picture of relaxation and ease. This was Natasha’s first major championship since the birth of her son in April 2023. Natasha Baker scored 73.167% and claimed individual bronze.
The next rider in the arena was Rixt Van Der Horst from the Netherlands riding nine-year-old stallion Royal Fonq and WOW they were incredible. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one with goosebumps watching this tremendous combination, definitely my personal favourite from the Grade III today. This beautiful stallion was absolutely electric, showing off his enormously expressive paces, whilst Rixt rode every stride and kept any small sign of tension at bay. The amount of power underneath this para rider is hard to imagine and I have such a huge level of respect for the test that Rixt managed to produce. She was accurate and extremely clever with how she rode this formidable stallion. The Grade III tests are ridden in a 20mx40m arena, and it can be surprising how quickly each movement creeps up on you – particularly when riding a horse with this floating movement and huge ground cover – so hats off to Rixt for this amazing ride. The combination scored a huge 76.433%, which earned them a silver medal.
Rebecca Hart of the USA was the Grade III gold medal winner with Floratina. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
The second last horse and rider combination in this grade was five-time Paralympian from the U.S.A, Rebecca Hart, riding Floratina. Rebecca brought her extensive experience to the arena today and left no marks behind, taking away individual gold for the first time with a massive score of 77.900%.
Full results from the Grade III Individual Competition can be found here.
Congratulations to all horses and riders on day one of the Para Equestrian at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games and good luck to the Grade IV and V riders competing tomorrow!
