Paris Paralympics: Individual Competition (Grade IV & V)

Main image: Lisa Martin and Vilaggio competing for Australia in the Grade V Individual Competition. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.

Inside Paris | Presented by RB Sellars

The second day of Para Equestrian took place on Wednesday at the Paris Paralympics, with the Grade IV and V athletes taking to the arena for the Individual Competition (Grand Prix A test). This event was a medal decider in its own right, as well as a qualifier for the Freestyle (top eight).

Two-time Paralympian Emma Booth reports on Wednesday’s classes:

Grade V: Freestyle day beckons for Lisa Martin & Vilaggio

Australia’s very own Rio Paralympian Lisa Martin rode her seven-year-old gelding Vilaggio (by Vilancio out of Davinia, by Blue Hors Don Romantic) to success on the world stage in Versailles today. The pair produced a lovely, mistake-free test. It was consistent and accurate, placing them in fifth position with a score of 70.436%. This means our Aussie Grade V rider has qualified for the Freestyle on Saturday, where the combination always do their best work. We look forward to seeing what they can produce.

Congratulations to Lisa and the rest of her team, including groom Maddison McAndrew!

Gold goes to George!

Grade V was the final Grade to take the stage for the Individual Competition at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Grade V riders have a lower level of impairment and ride a test with the highest degree of complexity. This grade’s tests consist of walk, trot and canter, with a large number of lateral movements throughout. Although there were some standout performances, like in any equestrian sport, there were also some evident and costly mistakes made, proving just how tough this elite level of competition is.

Michele George from Belgium smashed it out of the park in Paris! Today she took home her sixth Paralympic Games gold, riding Best of 8 (by Onifatius). This combination is a real sight to see and loved strutting their stuff on the world stage, gaining a super score of 76.692%. Michele really showed everyone just the quality of horse and rider combinations we can expect to see at the highest level of our sport.

Regine Mispelkamp from Germany won silver after putting forward an amazing test to get a score of 73.231%. Regine rode her 2012 gelding Highlander Delight’s (by Florencio 2), exhibiting a fluent, forward-thinking test with accuracy to match.

Previous gold medal winning rider Sophie Wells (Great Britain) took the bronze riding 2016 gelding LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (by Blue Hors St. Schufro) at his first Paralympic Games. Sophie used her experience to give this young horse the confidence he needed to not only do the job, but shine while doing so. With beautiful paces, a stunning appearance and willing attitude, this horse proved himself today and looks like an extremely promising dance partner for Sophie in the future. The combination scored 72.257% to take home the bronze for Team GB!

Full results from the Grade V Individual Competition can be found here.

Dianne Barnes makes Paralympic debut in the Grade IV Individual Competition

The Grade IV riders took to the stage at Chateau de Versailles today and showed the world just what para equestrian riders are made of. There were highs, lows, and everything in between, keeping audiences on their toes until the very last rider.

In a field of 15 competitors, athletes rode an intricate test made up of 28 movements. Australia’s very own legend in all things equestrian, Dianne Barnes, was third out for the second day of the Para Equestrian at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Di, who rode for Australia at the 2022 FEI World Championship in Herning with Cil Dara Cosmic, made her Paralympic debut today riding 14-year-old German-bred Oldenburg mare Sorena (Sir Donnerhall II x Romina, by Rotspon and owned by Sharyn McCombe). Di rode with such tact and showed her years of expertise across multiple disciplines, as she guided a rather on-edge mare around the arena. Although the Paralympic horses and riders arrived on venue several days ago, many people watching at home wouldn’t realise the short amount of time each combination are allowed in the main arena prior to competing. I think it could also be underestimated just what an impact the audience can have on many horses when they enter this electric atmosphere for the very first time. Di rode confidently, staying cool, calm and collected even though I’m sure the feeling of such a powerful and somewhat tense mare under her could have easily thrown many riders, no matter their level of experience. 

Although there were a few mistakes, one of which was in the canter loop (a coefficient worth double marks in this grade), the pair received a respectable score of 65.444% and finished in 12^th place overall in a very strong field. This unfortunately means that the pair did not qualify for the Freestyle event on Saturday.

I would personally like to say a huge congratulations to Dianne Barnes! It is no easy feat getting to the world stage and you rode with poise, control and focus. Australia couldn’t be prouder – you are now officially a Paralympian, which is a title you hold forever and something no one can take away from you. A well-deserved designation for such a determined, talented and fierce competitor such as yourself, Di. Well done mate!

Gold to the Netherlands

The winning rider of the Grade IV was Demi Haerkens from the Netherlands, another Paralympic debutant. This was a ride to remember; the definition of a test that looked absolutely effortless. Her horse Daula was elastic, supple and attentive, giving a harmonious overview which is always so pleasing to watch. After their final halt and salute, Demi walked out with her horse on the buckle, showing what an absolutely delightful temperament this horse has – a one in a million that has the perfect combination of talent and brains. Demi Haerkens and Daula scored an impressive 78.722%, taking home gold for the Netherlands.  

The silver medal was taken by fellow Dutch team members Sanne Voets and Demantur, who were the reigning champions from Tokyo 2020. This combination is an absolute delight to watch and provided viewers with a harmonious and error-free test. Sanne cleverly highlighted her horse’s quality and balance, and was rewarded with a super score of 76.528%.

German rider Anna-Lena Niehues took bronze on Quimbaya 6 with a score of 75.222%.

Another rider who I absolutely loved watching was fourth place getter from France, Vladamir Vinchon on Pegase Mayenne. These two are such a wonderful combination and in front of their home crowd they produced an absolutely stunning test. For me personally, this was one of the most impressive tests from the Grade IV today. Vladamir is a real showman and the ultimate “test rider”, in that he is so incredibly accurate, squeezes every mark he possibly can from a test and doesn’t throw a single mark away. He only has one leg but is exceptionally balanced in the saddle, keeping his horse so even on both reins despite his disability. The two make an unbelievable partnership and are so breathtaking to watch. Vladamir scored 72.889% – keep an eye out for them in the Freestyle, as I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!  

Full results from the Grade IV Individual Competition can be found here.