Aldo adjusts to new job
Para riders finally get their chance to shine at the rescheduled Para Winter Championships, while Charlotte Dujardin claims a clutch of regional titles with her upcoming horses
RIDING at her first para championships, Vicky Earnshaw claimed the silver and bronze grade III titles with former eventer Aldo MW.
Sarah Gowing’s rising 16-yearold KWPN gelding has proved a natural in his new career, according to Vicky, who said: “It has taken a little time to change his thought process, but he has an amazing temperament for para dressage and does better at a show than at home.
“I’m new to it, but it’s a really good challenge,” said Vicky, who has had a lengthy career in ablebodied dressage and was graded for para dressage last year due to chronic rheumatoid arthritis. “So many people have helped me, including trainers Wade Barley, Sarah Carlisle and Paul Hayler. It’s such a team effort.”
Grade IV gold champion Laura Gulliver has set her sights on the 2024 Paris Paralympics with Farok V Singing, the 10-year-old Trakehner she rides for Joanne Alderton-Whitworth.
“He has a super brain and is quick to learn,” said Laura of the 18hh gelding – her partner on the British Equestrian World Class Podium Potential squad. “With my rheumatoid arthritis, he has to be very responsive to my seat. For a big horse he’s elegant and light, with real presence in the arena.”
Hanoverian/Holstein mare First Class IX brought success for the Griffin family, winning the grade IV bronze championship with Lisa and scoring plus-70% in grade III with her husband Mark. The pair learnt the ropes with Cleethorpes and Grimsby Riding for the Disabled before buying “Indie” last spring and bringing her on under the guidance of trainers Sarah Suddaby and Sophie Brown Butcher.
“We’ve only been doing para dressage since August, so it’s been a learning curve,” said Lisa, who has auto-immune system issues. “Indie is so good at swapping between us and is lovely to be around. She did take a bit of getting used to, though. It was like moving from a Mini to a Ferrari.”
“He has a super brain” LAURA GULLIVER ON
FAROK V SINGING