last updated on April 27, 2010 16:48

A successful weekend in Belgium saw GB Para riders dominate across the grades as they captured team gold and individual wins at the CPEDI*** Moorsele 16-18 April, 2010. Emma Sheardown, Lee Pearson, Jo Pitt and Sophie Wells made their mark on their respective grades and there was plenty to celebrate as Britain’s junior riders also lived up to expectations.

Team manager David Hunter commented: “It’s an outstanding result for Great Britain and shows we’re going in the right direction ahead of the World Equestrian Games and London 2012. There is never room for complacency but it bears well ahead of our next competition in Manheim, Germany next week.”

“We had a mixed team of younger and more seasoned competitors and it’s great to see them integrating so well; they will all have learnt a huge amount and the experience is a very effective way to develop our future riders.”

In the Grade 1a – Team Test 25 year old Emma Sheardown took a convincing first with Purdy’s Dream, leading the class more than 5% clear of her nearest rival on 70.00%. An uncharacteristic buck from the British bred gelding forced Sheardown to need outside assistance in the individual test to get back in the saddle. The pair made the gracious decision to withdraw their otherwise winning score, however they recovered composure to best riders from four other nations to win the Grade 1a Kür on Purdy’s with 73.33% .

Lee Pearson (pictured) made his mark in the Grade 1b classes placing first and second in team, individual and freestyle classes with his two rides Zion and Gentleman. Pearson’s experienced Olympic ride Gentleman put in the highest score of the show to win the individual test on a massive 80.58%. Team mate Ricky Balshaw remained in touch to take third in all three classes on board new ride Academy Award. The pair raised their game with each test, rounding out for third in the freestyle with 76.08%.

In the Grade II team test Jo Pitt and Estralita and Erin Orford with Nirvana Pure Indulgence topped the field on the same score of 71.19%. Split by collectives Pitt secured victory and went on to take a second in the individual test and a win in the Grade II Kür with a solid 75.50% with the eight year old black gelding.

Fresh from her success at the Winter Championships Sophie Wells outclassed a field of 15 competitors to lead all three tests at Grade IV with her 17.2hh liver chestnut gelding Valerius. They closed their weekend by capturing the Grade IV Kür in impressive style on 78.41% - a full four points over second place Frank Hosmar and Tiesto from the Netherlands.

British riders Michael Murphy with Brockholm Royal Vagabond, Georgia Wilson with Broganslade Balistaire, Rosie Andrews with Tango, Anna Gill and Broadstone Central Park all won or placed well in novice classes at their respective grades. The team were lucky to be unaffected by the disruption to travel services that affected so many that weekend.

Team manager David Hunter commented: “We planned our travel by road and rail but some of the other competitors weren’t so lucky; one of our lorries has eight members of the Irish team stowed away in the back. I should imagine it will be quite some party going on until they arrive in Chester to catch the ferry!”

For Friday's team results click here
For Saturday's individual results click here
For Sunday's freestyle results click here