
A couple of more belated than intended reports from our 2 Para Dressage Riders about their experiences at the Keysoe CPEDI (International Para Equestrian Dressage) Competition held earlier this month.
The first is from our DBF Ambassador, Mari Akhurst, who has also just returned from a very successful competition at the weekend with her horse, Sky.
Mari reports:
Sky was a superstar; we scored 75.536% to take the win and also the highest Para score of the day. That’s him all qualified for the Winter Para Dressage Gold Championships next year!
He was a star and we both enjoyed the test. What’s even more exciting is the judge said there was even more higher marks to come!! Plus we did have a 6 and 6.5 amongst the 7,7.5s and 8’s.
Congratulations to Mari and Sky. To add to Mari’s delight, her younger horse, Bear – featured below, has already qualified so Mari has the accolade of having 2 horses already qualified to compete in the Winter Para Dressage Gold Championships next year.
It’s going to be a busy year for the 4- and 2-legged members of Team Mari alike…!

Finally home after a week away at Keysoe CPEDI3*. I am so proud of Bear; he has been such a superstar⭐️. He has tried his heart out and not put a foot wrong. He was so relaxed; and really showed off his walk which has got so much bigger! We also showed off what a harmonious partnership we have.

Unfortunately due to my condition I struggle with a stable consistent contact; we thought we had found something that worked; not all the international judges agreed and I have been marked down for my wobbliness in my contact and also my position. I need to be more steady.Bear bless him puts up with my naughty limbs and keeps his head relatively still; but the pilot can’t keep still on top.


Link:
For those of you who are mystified by the classification in Para Dressage, I thought this might be helpful: