PARA MATTERS.
PARA MATTERS LETTER FROM PARA DIRECTOR JULIE FRIZZELL
The light at the end of the tunnel now shines much brighter thanks to the incredible scientific work to create the COVID vaccine. Ironically, our COVID journey has brought many wonderful things that we should embrace as we move forward. The Zoom calls, with more than 80 ‘present’ at one point, were a superb initiative and I am grateful to my committee and regional reps for supporting so enthusiastically – a highlight in lockdown. Plans for the Winter Championships are in the final
stages – what a welcome tonic they promise to be. June’s Gold Festival is on track at Wellington and while we may have lost the Para Home International, there’s still much to enjoy. Regional activity is reigniting, summer qualifying points now reflect the shortened season, the para judge pathways will restart and plans are ready for the para steward pathway roll-out. We’re also leading the way, globally, with the introduction of a national level freestyle test!
EQUISSAGE PULSE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 Great news! The Equissage Pulse Winter Championships for gold, silver and bronze riders have now been rescheduled for 23-25 May at the same venue, Myerscough College in Lancashire. The revised schedule is now available on the website and Kelly and her team look forward to hosting you in May. With a few months lost of the summer season, we’ve reworked the qualifications for the Equissage Pulse Summer Para Championships. For the Bronze and Silver championships, held at Solihull in the West Midlands on 4-5 September, the requirements have been halved. That means Bronze riders will require two points and five for Silver competitors. The Gold Championships criteria is now one score of 65% or more obtained within the previous 12 months for each grade in either the individual or team test. One qualifying score in the individual test provides eligibility for all three days, including the Gold semi-final, the team test applies to days two and three only. The Equissage Gold Championships take place on 17 September as part of the LeMieux National Championships at their new home, Somerford Park in Cheshire.
‘BACKING THE BEST’ SUPPORT FOR TALENTED THREESOME Congratulations to Alicia Griffiths, Gabby Blake and Kyrby Brown who have been announced as grant recipients in Sport Aid’s Backing the Best initiative, supported by the National Lottery.
6 // Issue 3 2021 // BRITISH DRESSAGE
Thanks to our community-wide ‘one team’ approach, our sport is in the strongest position it’s ever been and now is time to hand the baton to the next para dressage director. Do encourage any suitors to come forward for nomination! I’m proud of the selfless
individuals I work alongside who tirelessly give to para dressage – you are the true heart of the sport and I cannot wait to see everyone enjoying what we do, in person, through 2021.
EQUINE UPDATE Annie Hunter Blair’s prolific British-bred Dior UKH, or Pimms, will now move to Grade I rider, Diane Green. With Grade III rider, Erin Orford, Pimms reached the pinnacle of the sport in representing her country at two championships, collecting team gold and silver as well as an individual bronze along the way. Erin and Pimms were together for six years, Erin commented; “Pimms has been a massive part of my career and my life for the last six years and behind the championships, sashes and medals, she is also responsible for so many memories and experiences along the way. I felt like it was the right time for her to take the pressure off a little bit and enjoy a new adventure. She owes me nothing and I owe her everything and I’ll be forever grateful to Annie and Nicky for, not just giving me the opportunity, but for being such fantastic members of the team over the years. A massive thank you must go to everyone who has been part of my team along the way who have supported me in helping me to achieve my dreams with this special horse.” 2019 European team silver medallist Sky O’Hara has been retired by owner Glesni Owen and rider, Grade I Durward-Akhurst, aged 22. Five-time national champion Sky came to Mari on a month-long loan which then turned into a nine-year adventure. Mari paid tribute to her ‘golden boy’: “Sky has made my dreams come true and has helped me through some very difficult times. He’s one in a million and our bond is incredible. He’s such a superstar and, although sad that he is retiring, he has given me so much and owes me nothing. He can have a wonderful retirement which he deserves! “I am so grateful to Glesni Owen for giving me the ride on Sky nine years ago. I am very pleased to say that he will be retiring with us. Seeing his face every day, brings a smile to my face. “I cannot thank everyone enough that has supported me and Sky on our journey, what a journey it has been and ultimately ending on the podium!” Mari is now looking for her next dancing partner so if you have a horse with an amazing walk and superb temperament, get in touch.
