KATIE Reilly was the pathfinder for team Ireland at the FEI Para Dressage World Championships in Aachen this week, and she fulfilled her role to perfection when she scored a personal best of 73.167% in the Grade III Para Grand Prix A individual final, a result good enough to qualify her directly for Sunday’s Freestyle final with Keystone Dawn Chorus. Reilly’s team-mate Jessica McKenna finished 13th with DCI Cerruti in the same class on a score of 68.90%.
“I’m super, super happy and I could really ask for no more from her,” said Reilly after her test. “We went in there trying to go for a really nice relaxed sort of test and, when she went in underneath the lights, she lit up and I felt ‘yeah, we’ve got this’. She was with me from the very first halt, it was incredible to ride. It’s a dream come true to ride at this venue with such a huge atmosphere; it’s incredible.”
McKenna, who also contested the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024, echoed Reilly’s thoughts about competing in Aachen. “It was a surreal moment to go in and ride in that arena. I’m absolutely delighted with him and how he took it all in his stride and delivered a really good test. This is my second year competing internationally with this horse, and it’s all been about building our partnership together and getting that confidence in the arena. I’ve never been to a venue like this, it’s just amazing.”
The first set of individual medals at Grade III went to Rixt van der Horst riding Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP on 77.534% (NED), defending champion Tobia Thoerning Joergensen riding Blu Hors Zackerado on 75.100% (DEN) and Francesca Salvade riding Escari on 74.767% (ITA).
Controversy
17-year-old Clodagh Walsh also went down the Aachen centre line for Ireland on Wednesday in the Grade I Para Grand Prix A, and she scored 61.833% to finish 20th aboard Chantal.
Her score was lower than expected and her performance caused some controversy, as during her test the Judge at C rang the bell, which in normal circumstances would result in elimination. However, further to a discussion among the judges, Walsh was allowed to continue.
The FEI have since released a statement in which they said that the judge initially rang the bell in accordance with the rule pertaining to eliminations due to lameness (Article 8421.5.2). They acknowledged that the judge’s decision to allow Walsh to continue her test was contrary to the rules, and apologised for the upset and confusion caused to the athlete, who acted in accordance with the rules at all times.
The statement read: “The athlete correctly stopped immediately. Under normal circumstances, further to the Judge at C ringing the bell, the athlete should have been eliminated.
“However, further to a discussion among the judges, it was decided that the athlete would be permitted to complete her test. The FEI acknowledges that this decision was not in accordance with the rules.
“The FEI apologises for the understandable upset and confusion caused to Clodagh Walsh, who had acted in accordance with the rules at all times and who bears no fault for this regrettable situation; the FEI recognises the difficult circumstances in which she completed her test.”
Walsh did not go forward to compete in Friday’s team test and therefore the Irish team has been reduced to three riders. The team final is due to conclude this evening (Saturday).
As favourites in this Grade I class, the USA’s Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H duly delivered the gold medal performance to earn a score of 76.790%, while Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg took silver and Sara Morganti and Bond Girl the bronze.
Another USA gold
In Thursday’s Grade IV opener, Ireland’s Rosemary Gaffney finished 17th aboard Norabel on a score of 64.889%.
The class saw the USA take another gold medal, when Kate Shoemaker topped the podium with Vianne on 78.889%. Anna-Lena Niehues took the silver medal for Germany riding Vive l’Amour on 74.639% and Great Britain’s Nicola Naylor secured the bronze medal, riding Humberto L to a score of 73.861%.
Emma Blundell had further reason to celebrate, as the week after her Mount St John Freestyle won three dressage medals with Cathrine Dufour, her home-bred MSJ Gold Standard claimed the first gold medal on offer at Grade V with Britain’s Sophie Wells in the saddle.
The combination scored 74.949% to finish well ahead of silver medallists Britney de Jong and Caramba NOP on 73.154%.
Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s took the bronze for Germany on 72.974%.
The Grade II Para Grand Prix A individual final proved to be another case of the favourite coming to the fore, when Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 took gold on 75.438%.
Katrine Kristensen riding Goerklintgaards Quarter and Jemima Green and Fantabulous took silver and bronze respectively.
Team medals for the FEI Para Dressage World Championships will be awarded this evening (Saturday), while the second set of individual medals are up for grabs in Sunday’s Freestyle finals.