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Thursday 2nd March – CPEDI3*

The first day of Para Dressage competitions get off to an exciting start, held in Al Shaqab’s impressive indoor arena. For many competitors this was their first major international event since the Paralympics in Rio last year.

 Three riders came forward for the Team Grade I. Experienced Norwegian rider Jens Lasse Dokkan held the leading score of 72.560%. He was riding Cypres, the horse he took to the Rio Olympics where he finished 6th individually. The 55 year old took up riding at the age of five to help with his therapy for Cerebral Palsy before he began competing more seriously a few years later. He has competed at two Olympics (London 2012 and Rio 2016) and enjoyed making another visit to Al Shaqab.

Second place went to Elle Philipp for Germany who scored 70.298% on her own stallion Fuerst Sinclair 3.

In the Team Grade II, popular Austrian rider Pepo Puch scored an impressive 76.263% to win the class. Puch who was riding Fontainenoir, scored a number of 8s and even a 9 for his well presented test. British rider Pearson, who was riding Styletta is one of the most successful and long-serving athletes in the sport of Para Dressage but had to be content with his score of 71.571% for second place.

Steffen Zeibig took top honours in the Team Grade III for Germany, with the aptly named Feel Good 4 on a score of 71.716%. Runner up in the Grade III went to Rixt van der Horst who finished on 69.853%. The Dutch Paralympic athlete was riding Uniek N.O.P.

Six riders from four nations came forward for the Team Grade IV which is contested in a 20X60m arena. It was a decisive win for Dutch rider Sanne Voets riding Demantur for a score of 74.250%. Second place was awarded to Philippa Johnson-Dwyer from South Africa. Riding Verdi, the pair achieved a score of 70.458%.

The first day of Para Dressage closed with the Team Grade V. It was a win for Frank Hosmar on Alphaville N.O.P with a score of 71.899%. The Dutch rider runs a professional yard in Haarle and previously competed at national level as an able-bodied dressage rider. After an accident ten years ago, he was told he would never ride again but defied the odds and has now won two individual bronze medals at the Paralympic- in London 2012 and Rio 2016.

German rider Ciska Vermeulen and her horse Rohmeo finished on 70.581% to take second place.

Ahmed Sharbatly from Saudi Arabia was also contesting this class on Diedeem. He is the brother of renowned showjumping rider Abdullah Alsharbatly and is one of the few elite level competitors in Para Dressage from the Middle East. His brother is contesting the CSI 5* classes at CHI AL SHAQAB.

CHI AL SHAQAB offers the only major Para Dressage in the Middle East and with its enviable facilities for horses and riders, it predictably attracts the world’s leading riders in this discipline. The event offers three days of competition for all Para Dressage Grades with a team, individual and freestyle competitions.