Katie Maree Umback on Gronskovlunds Marquis
from Merrilyn Hamilton-Smith
Sydney CDI 2015 Para Equestrian classes on Friday 8th May attracted a large group of 19 competitors, five with two horses, several new combinations and some riders on borrowed horses and glorious sunshine prevailed all day!
It is the first time that Para Equestrian riders have ridden two tests on one day and for those with two horses it was very exhausting
This was not a selection event but was well supported as everyone is desperately seeking competition experience
Queensland’s Nikki Doogue on Al Pacino won both the Grade IV classes on 65%, closely followed by Tasmania’s Caitlin Radford 63% on a borrowed horse Ma Belle Ami.
A new star in Grade III for NSW was Katie Maree Umback on Gronskovlunds Marquis on 68% with Queensland’s Chelsea Higgins Holstein Park Comedian on 65/66%
In Grade II it was all NSW with Danielle Weymark‘s Champagne CF winning with 67/65% from Victoria Davies’ Andaluka Elegido on 65%
Young NSW rider Ryan MacNeil on Strait Smokin Jet won the Grade 1A class and NZ’s Charlotte Hoonhout riding a borrowed horse, Amarante, won Grade IB.
The Para Equestrian Selection Policy for Rio will be announced soon.
NZ’s Charlotte Hoonhout riding a borrowed horse, Amarante