BD International: Waregem and Fontainebleau CPEDI roundup

British para riders who competed last week on the Continent showed promising results at both Waregem CPEDI in Belgium (19 – 21 April 2024) and Fontainebleau CPEDI in France (22 – 24 April 2024).

Waregem CPEDI3*/2*
Mari Durward-Akhurst and the renowned medal-winning horse Athene Lindebjerg (pictured last year) achieved a podium spot on all three days of the Grade I competition, including the first international win of their career together. Competing at their first overseas CDI, the budding combination placed second in the Grade I Grand Prix A on 73.583% and second in the Grand Prix B with 74.666%.

The Gribaldi x Diamant mare, owned by Di Redfern and formerly partnered by Sophie Christiansen and Julie Payne, was then skilfully piloted by Mari to secure a clear win in the Grade I Freestyle on a combination PB of 77.600%, and together with Nicola Naylor (Grade IV) and Gabriella Blake (Grade I) achieved third place in the team competition.

“First trip abroad with Di Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg and our third international together!” commented Mari on social media. “Well what can I say, Athene was a superstar and we all enjoyed every minute! Lots of memories have been made and it was great fun being with the GB team.

“Two second places (in a large competitive Grade I class) a third in the nations cup team (only three of us on the team so no drop score) and to win the Freestyle with 77.6% was the icing on the cake after a wonderful few days.”

Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, winners of team and individual bronze last summer in Riesenbeck, placed fifth in the Grade I Grand Prix A (70.708%) and close third to Mari in the Grade I Grand Prix B (74.000%), concluding her show with third place in the Freestyle on 74.380%.

In the Grade IV, Nicola Naylor enjoyed strong results with her own and Ros Kay’s KWPN gelding, Humberto L. The duo placed sixth in the Grand Prix A, 5th in the Grand Prix B with 70%+ and third in the Freestyle on 74.465%, whilst Nicola’s second ride, nine-year-old mare Kallista’s Furstenlooks UVA, gained valuable mileage on her first CDI abroad.

Fourteen-year-old Elan Williams delivered consistent results on her first CDI across the Channel with both her rides, WSH Something Borrowed and Brandini. Competing in the CPEDI2* Grade I classes, Brandini had the winning edge in the Intermediate A and B, scoring 68.000% and 67.150% respectively, before posting a solid 68.787% in the Freestyle.

Fontainebleau CPEDI3*
At Fontainebleau CPEDI3*, held at the verdant Printemps des Sports Equestres near Paris, Izzy Palmer achieved consistent results partnered by Catherine Austin’s Last Gift. Izzy and the eight-year-old Governor x Fabriano mare posted 68.778% for sixth place in the Grade IV Grand Prix A, 68.973% for sixth in the Grand Prix B and fifth in the Freestyle with 69.875%, while Erin Orford and Dragons Fire, owned by Sophie Wells and Neil and Jackie Walker, scored 69.467% for a podium place in the Grade III Grand Prix A.

Results – winners and British placings
Waregem CPEDI
CPEDI3*
Grade I Grand Prix A
1. Annemarieke Nobel and Doo Schufro, 74.542% (NED)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 73.583% (GBR)
5. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 70.708% (GBR)
11. Sophie Christiansen and Gladstone, 67.458% (GBR)

Grade I Grand Prix B
1. Annemarieke Nobel and Doo Schufro, 76.042% (NED)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 74.666% (GBR)
3. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 74.000% (GBR)
9. Sophie Christiansen and Gladstone, 68.750% (GBR)

Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 77.600% (GBR)
3. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 74.380% (GBR)

Grade II Grand Prix A
1. Heidemarie Dresing and Horse24 Dooloop, 74.000% (GER)
11. Natasha Adkinson and Sweet Caledonia, 63.241% (GBR)

Grade II Grand Prix B
1. Heidemarie Dresing and Horse24 Dooloop, 73.133% (GER)
5. Natasha Adkinson and Sweet Caledonia, 67.567% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Heidemarie Dresing and Horse24 Dooloop, 76.800% (GER)
5. Natasha Adkinson and Sweet Caledonia, 68.647% (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6, 72.833% (GER)
6. Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, 69.472% (GBR)
7. Nicola Naylor and Kallista’s Furstenlooks UVA, 69.278% (GBR)
10. Sara Bates and Tango, 66.333% (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6, 73.540% (GER)
5. Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, 70.135% (GBR)
7. Nicola Naylor and Kallista’s Furstenlooks UVA, 68.784% (GBR)
10. Sara Bates and Tango, 65.270% (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6, 77.425% (GER)
3. Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, 74.465% (GBR)
6. Sara Bates and Tango, 69.635% (GBR)

Team result (Grand Prix A and B combined)
1. Netherlands – 445.543
2. Germany – 432.564
3. Great Britain – 432.564
4. Belgium – 418.162
5. Ireland – 412.502
6. Singapore – 406.617
7. Japan – 398.504
8. Canada – 386.584

CPEDI2*
Grade I Intermediate A
1. Elan Williams and Brandini, 68.000% (GBR)
2. Elan Williams and WSH Something Borrowed, 65.188% (GBR)

Grade I Intermediate B
1. Elan Williams and Brandini, 67.150% (GBR)
2. Elan Williams and WSH Something Borrowed, 65.500% (GBR)

Grade I Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Elan Williams and Brandini, 68.787%

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Fontainebleau CPEDI
CPEDI3*
Grade III Grand Prix A
1. Rebecca Hart and Floratina, 75.333% (USA)
3. Erin Orford and Dragons Fire, 69.467% (GBR)

Grade III Grand Prix B
1. Rebecca Hart and Floratina, 74.967% (USA)
Erin Orford and Dragons Fire, RET (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Sanne Voets and Demantur RS2 NOP, 75.667% (NED)
6. Isobelle Palmer and Last Gift, 68.778% (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Kate Shoemaker and Vianne, 74.513% (USA)
6. Isobelle Palmer and Last Gift, 68.973% (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Kate Shoemaker and Vianne, 78.385% (USA)
5. Isobelle Palmer and Last Gift, 69.875% (GBR)

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photo © Kevin Sparrow Photography