Australians Dianne Barnes and Cil Dara Cosmic scored 67.375% in their international debut.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Roger Fitzhardinge reports from the Grade IV Para Dressage
By Roger Fitzhardinge
The weather at the FEI World Championships in Herning is at last sunny and quite warm for the early morning start for the Grade IV Team Test. As if it wasn’t enough just to get here and bump in and get all and sundry done in such a whirlwind, but the draw for this competition, that was starting at 8.30am, was not available until 10pm the night before. Despite this, the Aussie rider Dianne Barnes looked immaculate and fresh, even though the weather was somewhat humid.
Dianne Barnes and Cil Dara Cosmic.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
She was aided by daughter and groom, Jodie Barnes, and Maree Tomkinson also stepped in to help with last minute coaching. The mare Cil Dara Cosmic, by Cooperit x Argentinus, looks in the very best of condition and to see Di, it was as if they were at a local competition at home. Immaculate as always and as calm and composed as ever. You would never think in a great hurry they had packed and moved half way around the world to compete at the biggest competition in the world.
Maree Tomkinson and Jodie Barnes.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
They entered the arena and looked as if they truly owned it. The trot work showed fantastic rhythms and continued that way throughout the test. The medium trots were so clear with good transitions in and out, and the shoulder ins were also well maintained but perhaps could have shown a little more angle. The walk pirouettes were both clean and clear, and the trot to canter crisp. The medium canter circles both showed clarity between the collection and the medium, and the changes through trot were straight and effortless. The first two loops of the trot serpentine showed balance and expression, but a mistake in to the third loop resulted in some unfortunate canter steps, but this did not phase Di. The counter canter was balanced but perhaps a little more activity and uphill tendency could have been shown.
Emma Booth and Dianne Barnes.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
All in all, the test was fluent and flowing, and Di rode great lines and was very accurate, especially the rein back and pirouettes. The extended walk on the circle lacked some over track and purpose, but had good in rhythm. It was a delight to watch, and so well done for a first time at such an impressive and huge competition. The marks were not on the generous side, as they were for the better-known riders. A score of 67.375% was in keeping with some of the more fancied, experienced and better-known riders.
When you look at the Grade IV medallists, the quality of the horses and the training is simply as good as any international Medium class level. The cadence and talented horses make their way around the arena here in such a true amazing way. The standard and quality of the class was equal to any able-bodied ride at a World Championships at this level test!
It was a class full of top quality riding and horses, and Di finished 11th of the 19. The scores were so close and without that mistake in the trot tour, they perhaps would have been in 8th place. With the cobwebs blown away, it’s onwards and upwards and I am sure with a deep breath and more confidence after the ride, they will be up the list next start… Today was the Team Test and the next test will be the Individual Test.
Sanne Voets and Demantur scored 76.750%.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The winner is no stranger to the podium in Sanne Voets and Demantur, then in silver it was EHL Daula for Demi Haerkens, both for the Netherlands, and then Rodolpho Riskalla and Don Henrico were third; the scored were 76.75%, 76% and 74.925% respectively.
Rodolpho Riskalla and Don Henrico for Brazil.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The winner was accurate, but the canter was seen to lack a degree of bounce and collection, but the tempo showed consistency and continuity of the rhythm; that seems to be most important here and always so steady. The chestnut from Brazil in Don Henrico was fantastic to say the least, as was Quiana for the American Kate Shoemaker in fourth place. The appreciative crowd were very excited at the standard, believing this is the strongest group of Grade IV horses seen at this level of competition, and it was easy to see how true that was. The first six were all over 70%.
Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
What a great showing and well done for Dianne Barnes to finish 11th in such a field!
Read more about the Aussie para dressage team in the August issue of Equestrian Life here.
You can watch all the action from the FEI World Championships in Herning via Clip My Horse TV.
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