Today, the Para dressage riders competed for the gold, silver and bronze medals in the Grand Prix Freestyle across all five Grades at the Allianz-Prize.
«I am a survivor, I am not gonna give up»—the lyrics to the Destiny's Child song «Survivor»—echoed around Stadium 3 at the Allianz Park as Rixt van der Horst and her stunning bay stallion, Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P., performed their freestyle test. The Dutch rider had chosen this song because she herself had been through difficult times and her horse had also come a long way. Now, the pair were ready to «shine» together. And that was exactly what they did: the 34-year-old rider and her stallion danced around the arena, perfectly in sync with the music and completing a demanding choreography.
The reward for this impressive performance was a score of 83.120 % – a personal best for Van der Horst and her second gold medal at these FEI World Championships. «It’s incredible,» she said after her ride, visibly moved. At the same time, she acknowledged that she had tried not to let the pressure of expectations get to her: «I just tried to stay focused and do everything exactly as I usually do. That plan worked.».
Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen was delighted after winning the silver medal. Riding the Oldenburg stallion Blue Hors Zackorado, he scored 79.940 (%). The world number one, Italy’s Francesca Salvadè, finished very close behind and returned to the podium. The 37-year-old rider scored 79.587 % with her nine-year-old gelding, Escari.
Fiona Howard wins gold in Grade II
In Grade II, the moment of victory arrived for triple Paralympic champion Fiona Howard. The American rider, who lives with a neuromuscular disease, performed an exceptionally harmonious Freestyle alongside her gelding Diamond Dunes. Set to music from the film Avatar, the 27-year-old rider impressed with original lines in the Aachen arena, while her horse moved with fluidity, rhythm and balance throughout the test.
With a score of 81.866 %, the experienced pair secured their second gold medal in Aachen, having also been crowned world team champions. «This victory is simply the icing on the cake,» said Howard, visibly moved after her ride. «Above all, I am infinitely grateful to my horse. He gives me the freedom that my body lacks.».
The silver medal went to Britain’s Jemima Green riding Fantabulous, an eight-year-old son of Foundation. The 37-year-old rider, who has physical disabilities as a result of a serious road traffic accident, scored 80.933 % on her World Championship debut, thereby winning her second individual medal.
Heidemarie Dresing was delighted after winning the bronze. With a carefully choreographed freestyle routine and outstanding musical highlights, she showcased the expressiveness of her mare, Poesie, within a consistent and harmonious framework. The pair scored 80.807 %, a result that filled the 71-year-old rider with pride.
Third gold for Marie Vonderheyden in Grade I
Three gold medals: that is the impressive haul for Marie Vonderheyden in her World Championship debut. The American rider, who suffered severe after-effects following a serious horse riding accident eleven years ago, once again decisively triumphed over the international competition in Grade I during the final day.
Thus, she crowned her first World Championship appearance with a third title. «I've had a really great time here,» said the 36-year-old rider following her test with the Oldenburg gelding Fan Tastico H.
The judges awarded the American pair a score of 80.540 % for their harmonious performance. Vonderheyden stood out in particular for her precise communication with her horse, the great precision of her movements and a cohesive Freestyle test that was very well interpreted musically.
Sara Morganti took the silver medal. The experienced Italian rider was competing for the first time in this championship on Bond Girl, a seven-year-old daughter of Bon Coeur. Although their sporting partnership is still in its early stages, the pair scored 78.767 (%).
The bronze went to Rihards Snikus from Latvia, who rode the youngest horse on the podium. His gelding, Rise and Shine, is just six years old. The pair improved day by day throughout the championship and confirmed this positive progress in the Freestyle. With a score of 75.420 (%), 38-year-old Snikus and Rise and Shine secured the bronze medal.
Triple gold for Kate Shoemaker in Grade IV
«Are there even words to describe this?» wondered an emotional Kate Shoemaker after winning her third gold medal. Riding her successful mare Vianne, the American rider scored 83.305 % in the Freestyle test.
«This mare is simply incredible,» stated the 39-year-old female rider as she tried to explain her current dominance in Grade IV. To music from the film Forrest Gump, the partnership performed a beautiful Freestyle routine, stringing one outstanding technical element together after another. Three gold medals: the championship could hardly have ended better.
France’s Alexia Pittier was delighted after winning silver. Riding her Hanoverian gelding Sultan, she scored 78.645 %. Helen Brandt finished very close behind, securing a place on the podium in her first championship appearance. Riding her eight-year-old Westphalian gelding Vulkan Vegas IB, the German rider fulfilled «a childhood dream» by winning the bronze medal.
Lena Malmström wins gold in Grade V
«Today is my son’s birthday,» explained an emotional Lena Malmström. «This morning I promised him I’d win a medal for him.» In the end, that medal turned out to be gold after she achieved a score of 79.675 for her %, which deeply moved the Swedish rider.
«It's incredible, and not just for me, but for Para Dressage as a whole in Sweden, said 57-year-old Malmström, who also bred and personally trained her equine partner, Fabulous Fidelie.
Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp celebrated her silver medal after scoring 78.185 for a % alongside her reliable partner, Highlander Delight’s.
The final Freestyle test of the day also provided another moment filled with emotion. The Dutch rider Britney de Jong turned the final stages of her performance into a tribute to her long-time partner, Caramba N.O.P. It was the final competition of the 19-year-old gelding's sporting career.
«This isn’t goodbye, it’s a thank you for everything,» echoed through the loudspeakers as De Jong made his way towards the centre line for the final time, promising to cherish the memories of all the years they had shared in his heart forever. Tears of gratitude gave way to tears of joy after the pair won the bronze medal with a score of 77.440 for their % routine.
